5 first-time luxury watch mistakes worth knowing about (from someone in the trade)
Aaron from Goldbro Timepieces again. I did a post a while back on the classic first-timer traps (authenticating the watch vs. the paperwork, etc.), and a few people asked for a round two. So here are five different ones — less about getting scammed, more about the quieter mistakes that lead to regret or surprise costs down the road. As always, not pitching anything, just sharing what I've picked up. 1. Forgetting that the sticker price isn't the real cost Mechanical watches need periodic servicing — generally every 5–7 years depending on the piece. A full service on a basic automatic commonly runs a few hundred to around $800, and complicated movements can climb into the thousands. Add insurance for anything high-value, and possible import/customs costs if you buy from abroad. None of this should scare you off; it's just part of ownership. Factor it in before you buy so it's a plan, not a surprise. 2. Buying the wrong size for your wrist So many first-timers buy...