Obviously, we talk a lot at Bob’s about watches — everything from what celebrities wear to what to buy and how to care for them. But our friends at Kelly Klee focus on another aspect of watches: how to insure them. As a private client insurance broker, Kelly Klee helps clients ensure their valuables such as art collections, vintage cars, vacation homes, and luxury watches.
Recently, we talked to the folks at Kelly Klee to discuss all fake watches. We talked about everything from getting into the business to the love of collecting, and how to build a valuable collection. You can read the full feature article on Kelly Klee’s website, but here are some highlights we think you’ll enjoy.
However, many of Kelly Klee’s clients are actually avid watch collectors, sometimes with decades-old watches, like Paul. Paul says his personal collection has changed dramatically over the years. “Most of my models are Rolexes. But lately I’ve been buying more and more gold watches to keep. For me, I’m more selective; I don’t have as many gold watches as steel ones. But recently, I’ve bought more gold vintage watches as an investment.”
For those fellow collectors who have serious luxury watch collections, Paul said the most important thing is to avoid the trends. “Don’t buy what someone else likes, and do your research.” And in terms of what replica watches Paul says are a good investment right now, he zeroed in on Omega and Rolex. “With Rolex, there are some watch models that are on the fringe, where they’re very affordable and turning vintage soon,” Paul confided. “Consider GMT or Submariner models like the 16800, 168000, 16710 – these are all very affordable today and can only go up in value.”
Kelly Klee helps clients ensure all sorts of collections and valuables. However, as Paul explained, there’s something really very particular and special about a watch collection. “To me, watches are cool because they’re affordable compared to cars or art.
Finally, many of Kelly Klee’s customers buy watches not just as accessories, but as investment pieces. ‘If you want to buy some watches as an investment, you have to focus on luxury watches of high quality and limited production, such as those from brands such as Eggplant, Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Abbey,’ Mr. Paul said. “Historically, especially vintage watches, they have gone up in value,” Explains Paul. “They have proved to be huge investments. But it also has to do with quality — some of the original clocks that have been maintained over the years may not even have been polished. It would be cool if it had boxes and paper, but more importantly, it has high quality.”