What’s the criteria for a high end watch?

TIMElyBehaviour · Tues. 4:51pm

Hi all,

Just as the title asks, what is the criteria for a high end watch? Is it just price?
Or level of finishing and decoration to movement, dial etc? Also, no conventional springs like the click etc.

I would love to hear everyone’s opinion on this. A great diverse group we have.

Larry S · Wed. 9:55am

Finishing level, complications, build quality, materials, watchmaker reputation, # produced. Hype and marketing of course play a role in the ability to command high sales and re sale prices.

TIMElyBehaviour · Wed. 3:48pm

the reason I ask is where does the line start at for watches that could be considered high horology? What are the specific details needed?

dsio · Wed. 11:34pm

It's a bit of a case of I'll know it when I see it. One of the major factors is not just initial purchase price, because there are JLCs that fall into Omega or even Longines pricing yet are definitely high end watches.

I think high end maintenance cost is more indicative, brands that cost a lot to service and maintain as there is no independent option or parts availability often (but not always, as micribrands and some junk brands do the same) indicate a high end watch. Sort of like how a Maserati 3200GT can be bought for less than a used Corolla, yet the maintenance keeps it will and truly in that high end classification.

High end also doesn't necessarily mean good, there are several high-end watch brands that are high-end but lacking in quality, reliability or after sales service (a major watch conglomerate that isn't Swatch Group or LVMH comes to mind).

hansaboy · Wed. 11:55pm

Every watch that has Speedmaster on the dial??
😉

TIMElyBehaviour · Thurs. 2:53am

dsio
It's a bit of a case of I'll know it when I see it. One of the major factors is not just initial purchase price, because there are JLCs that fall into Omega or even Longines pricing yet are definitely high end watches.

I think high end maintenance cost is more indicative, brands that cost a lot to service and maintain as there is no independent option or parts availability often (but not always, as micribrands and some junk brands do the same) indicate a high end watch. Sort of like how a Maserati 3200GT can be bought for less than a used Corolla, yet the maintenance keeps it will and truly in that high end classification.

High end also doesn't necessarily mean good, there are several high-end watch brands that are high-end but lacking in quality, reliability or after sales service (a major watch conglomerate that isn't Swatch Group or LVMH comes to mind).

I appreciate the in depth and thought out response. It is tricky to see where the blurred line begins.

maintenance costs though can be tricky. Rolex for example charge quite a bit for standard work on watches that are not considered HH, and around the same pricing of some HH brands for similar work.

Standard servicing here in Australia using AUD as a currency has brands like JLC at $2,000 for basic service and Rolex pushing $1,500 ish.
But point taken using a broad brush.

Reliability is something you would expect at such a high margin, but like an AP royal oak easy to break and expensive to repair.

The whole service was to see if my own watch makes the cut.
My jaeger lecoultre reverso 976.
Still not sure I guess. I think it would be entry to HH?

Fallout Boy · Thurs. 8:49am

Buffet would say: price is what you pay, quality is what you get 😉

High end for me is NOT a rischaaa miiill. Or watches in tuna-can size with 65 diamonds and 35 complications.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a Lange in my hand yet. Or a Breguet...

TIMElyBehaviour · Thurs. 7:03pm

Fallout Boy
Buffet would say: price is what you pay, quality is what you get 😉

High end for me is NOT a rischaaa miiill. Or watches in tuna-can size with 65 diamonds and 35 complications.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a Lange in my hand yet. Or a Breguet...

I completely agree. I have seen much nicer finished watches in 36mm than larger monsters.

spacemission · 2026-06-05T10:59:26-0500

Hublot mdm professional/super professional and iwc ocean bund/2000 were high end diving watches. Submariner date and sea dweller were very common diving watches.

None of them were examples of haute horlogerie.

What’s the criteria for a high end watch?

TIMElyBehaviour

Larry S

TIMElyBehaviour

dsio

hansaboy

TIMElyBehaviour

Fallout Boy

TIMElyBehaviour

spacemission

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