A United States Air Force veteran made international headlines earlier this year after learning that the watch he originally bought for scuba diving nearly 50 years ago for less than a month?s wages (around US$350) is now worth over US$700,000 in today?s market.

Half a century later, that 1971 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Oyster ? along with its original case, packaging, warranty papers and receipts ? has been appraised at 2,000 times its original sticker price, easily beating any equivalent stock market investment, thanks in part to its pristine condition and to the Daytona?s notorious association with the late actor Paul Newman.
While replicating such results today is not nearly as widely accessible as it was 50 years ago ? a new Rolex Daytona runs to around US$17,000 ? luxury watch investments have seen an undeniable peak in popularity, something that is both intriguing for timepiece hobbyists and profitable for the right investors ? but only if you?re willing to accept that your base-level knowledge will need to be built upon and finessed before making that first investment. The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime was sold for a hammer price of US$31 million, becoming the world?s most expensive watch ever. Photo: Christie?s

?Based on what I have observed with some of the top collectors/scholars, the pursuit of knowledge and the desire to know more helped them to build their dream collection,? explains Ho Zi-yong, head of sales, watches, at Phillips Asia. ?They learn and ...