Our roundup of the best luxury watches to invest in 2026 from new gold Patek Philippe Nautilus through to the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and more. Read on.
Patek Philippe Nautilus
In terms of investment the Nautilus is top of the pile. In 2021 Patek discontinued the steel Reference 5711, and what happened next? The resale market became white hot, and unworn watches exchanged hands at many times the retail price. At Watches & Wonders 2026 Patek Philippe presented new anniversary editions in white gold and platinum that paid homage to the original design by Gerard Genta. These are already attracting serious collector interest. If there’s an opportunity to buy one at retail it’s one of the safest buys in watch buying. If you can’t join the waiting list and you’re buying on the secondary market, the Reference 5811 in white gold is the best bet. The Nautilus doesn’t go down in value. It never has, never will.
Read more: Patek Philippe Nautilus vs Vacheron Constantin Overseas: which one should you buy?
Rolex Submariner
The Submariner is the most liquid asset in watchmaking and it’s the go to watch to start any watch collection. It was launched in 1953 and then made famous as it was worn in the first James Bond film by Sean Connery in Dr No in 1962, the ref 6538, the “Big Crown”. Today, it’s almost a cash asset, you can sell one anywhere in the world in 24 hours, there’s always a market. The steel Reference 124060 which has no date, clean dial, 41mm is the closest current model to the original and consistently holds value. Rolex increased prices in the US in May 2026 following Trump’s tariffs on Swiss exports, and this has made the Sub even more desirable.
Rolex Daytona
The Rolex Daytona in steel is possibly even harder to get hold of than the Nautilus. It’s even more desired than the Submariner and is seen as a ‘step up’ in terms of watch collecting. Rolex authorised dealers have waitlists that stretch for years. That said, the waitlists may stretch to years but it doesn’t mean the people on those waitlists have liquidity. It’s worth testing how quickly in 2026 you can move ‘up’ a 2 or 3 year waiting list. The ceramic bezel versions Reference 116500 and the newer 126500 because of their desirability still consistently trade well above retail prices. The Rainbow Daytona, in yellow or ever rose gold, and as worn by Harry Kane at the Qatar World Cup in 2022 is the watch that collectors fight over at auction. If you can get your hands on one. Buy it.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
It could be said that when Gerald Genta’s design for The Royal Oak, that was launched in 1972 actually invented the luxury sports watch in 1972. The go to model is the steel 41mm Reference 15500 is the core model. It sports a clean dial, an architecturally designed case and is instantly recognisable. Like the Nautilus, it trades above retail consistently. The limited editions, particularly collaborations with artists, such as the collaboration with Travis Scotts and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Cactus Jack collaboration generate the biggest prices. Over the last few years Audemars Piguet has deliberately released fewer watches to keep demand high.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas
The Overseas is personally one of my favourite watches and is the quiet sleeper of the three big luxury sport watches. It doesn’t have quite the buzz of the Nautilus or Royal Oak, which means that the prices sit at or at least closer to the retail. The new ultra thin Overseas that launched at Watches & Wonders 2026 changed how this watch is perceived. It’s now up there alongside the Nautilus in a way it never was before. This is the one to buy before the market catches up.
Read more: Vacheron Constantin unveil the thinnest Overseas watch ever made
A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia
German watchmaking doesn’t generate quite the same excitement as Swiss watchmaking, which is exactly what makes it interesting for investments. In terms of high watchmaking A. Lange & Söhne is up there with the finest of the Swiss. The finishing on a Lange movement is absolutely at the top level and the Saxonia is their most accessible entry point piece. Under-the-radar compared to Patek and Rolex, but consistently respected by serious collectors. The kind of watch that appreciates quietly.
Cartier Tank Louis Cartier
The Cartier Tank is one of the most copied designs in watchmaking history. The original, in yellow or rose gold, is the one worth owning. Cartier has made the Tank since 1917, based on General Pershing’s Tank design and the Louis Cartier version is the purest, and the most elevated pieces, this is the definite one to grab. Its prices don’t spike on the secondary market the way steel sports watches do, but it holds value steadily over decades. It’s the kind of watch that speaks quiet wealth in a way many watches don’t. Wear a certain Rolex and everyone in the room knows what you’re worth. Cartier is elegance encapsulated.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch
The Speedmaster was the first and only watch that’s been to the Moon. That was in 1969 it’s the only historically significant watch you can buy in this group at a reasonable price. The Professional Moonwatch in steel, Reference 310.30.42.50.01.001 is the best one to collect. At around £5,000 in store, it’s pretty available, and its sixty years of history make it a significant watch. It’s been worn by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Jim Lovell (portrayed by Tom Hanks in Apollo XIII). Nicole Kidman wore an archive model at this year’s 2026 Oscars. It has a different kind of presence which keeps the Speedmaster always at the forefront of what is a luxury sports watch.
Like this? Read about the 7 best watches at Watches & Wonders 2026
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