At Banks Lyon, we are proud to be official stockists for world-class watchmakers like Omega and IWC. Some of the best watches to purchase if you are looking to recoup your investment in a few years’ time include these and other luxury brands we offer at our Lancaster and Kendal stores – and which you can find in more detail below.
Finding an exceptional watch that is also visually striking and will hold its value over time (or rise in value) is key to acquiring a great investment. With Banks Lyon, you can purchase your new watch your way, whether you prefer to pay all costs upfront or choose one of our flexible 0% finance plans (available on all pieces above £500 with a deposit starting from as little as 10%).
Omega Seamaster
Omega was founded in 1848 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, by Louis Brandt. They developed a completely new watchmaking process whereby watches were able to be formed with interchangeable parts. Today, Omega watches are some of the most sought-after across the globe. They have ‘recorded the planet’s history’ for more than 170 years and offer stunning precision, reliability and performance on land, in the ocean and in space.
Most Omega watches, including those in the Seamaster family, are classed as Master Chronometer. To receive this certification, Omega’s timepieces have to undergo a series of rigorous tests that will verify the quality of their complex mechanisms. These include durability and shock resistance tests.
The Omega Seamaster line dates back to 1948, the year that marked the brand’s 100th anniversary. The Seamaster is Omega’s oldest model and has been designed with reliability, functionality and sophistication in mind. Perfect for ladies and gents with a passion for adventure and the outdoors, Omega Seamaster watches are perfect for even the harshest of environments.
Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Edition Watch
The limited-edition Omega Seamaster 1948 watch was released to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Seamaster and pay tribute to Omega’s original models. The Swiss watchmaker produced over 110,000 timepieces for the British Ministry of Defence between 1940 and 1945 and, to this day, the collection is still highly valued by British airmen and sailors due to its water-resistance and reliability.
The Dauphine style hour and minute hands of this elegant watch are filled with white Super-LumiNova and the Central Second model is clean and classic. The blue-grey leather strap contrasts with the silver dial and the stainless steel of the 38mm case, which further adds to the sophistication of the piece. The flat sapphire crystal caseback of the watch is laser engraved and lacquered by hand with a 70th-anniversary logo, a Chris-Craft boat and the Gloster Meteor aircraft, the first jet aeroplane used by the Royal Air Force.
This watch is powered by a self-winding automatic, Co-Axial escapement and C.O.S.C.-certified movement, and comes equipped with a water-resistance of up to 50 metres.
This is a modern classic with a rich heritage that will never go out of fashion and is the perfect investment for both ladies and gents.
The Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Edition watch is available for purchase at Banks Lyon for £4,880 at 0% finance. Our financing options include:
- Put down a 10% deposit and spread the cost over a 36-month period by paying £122 a month
- Pay 20% deposit and spread the cost over 48 months by paying £81.33 monthly
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 42mm Co-Axial Watch
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300m has been a fan favourite since 1993. Closely associated with the world of sports, this model possesses a wide range of features that make it suitable for many outdoor activities – and its elegant style ensures the watch is perfect for all occasions, from a special evening out to a meeting with clients.
The water-resistance of up to 300 metres, the calibrated rotating bezels and the high-visibility dials make it the watch of choice for professional divers everywhere. In addition, the Seamaster Diver 300m has increased in popularity since it first appeared on the wrist of British spy James Bond, in the 1995 film GoldenEye.
This 42mm model is crafted from stainless steel and 18K SednaTM gold and includes a black ceramic bezel with a CeragoldTM diving scale. The dial is also polished black ceramic and features laser-engraved waves and a date window at 6 o’clock.
The skeleton hands and raised indexes are also made from 18K SednaTM gold and filled with white Super-LumiNova, perfect for underwater visibility. The helium escape valve is now conical, which facilitates grip.
Driven by the powerful Master Chronometer Calibre 8800, which you can view through the wave-edged sapphire crystal caseback, this model is truly a classic that we believe is here to stay.
This stunning Seamaster Diver model has been updated with a new style and high-tech materials that celebrate its ocean heritage and ensure its longevity for many years to come. This means that the timeless, yet contemporary appeal of the watch, as well as its many superb specifications, ensure this is a perfect watch to invest in, especially as it doesn’t show any signs of decreasing in popularity.
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 42mm Co-Axial watch is available for purchase at Banks Lyon for £7,450 at 0% finance. You can:
- Spread the cost over a 36-month period by paying 10% deposit at £186.25 a month
- Put down 20% deposit and spread the cost over 48 months by paying £124.17 monthly
Breitling Superocean
Breitling watches are renowned for their precision and stylish design, as well as for an adventurous and pioneering spirit. Breitling was founded in 1884 in Saint-Imier by Léon Breitling and started producing their own movements in 2009 when they first introduced the B01. The watchmaker’s timepieces are easily recognisable for their beautiful polished cases and bracelets, as well as large watch faces that improve readability.
The Superocean was first introduced in 1957 and had a water resistance of 200 metres, an impressive feat at the time and a bold statement from Breitling, as it showcased the brand was more than ready to face the challenges of designing a fantastic diver’s watch. Clean and practical in design, Breitling Superocean watches came with Arabic numerals and oversized hands that improved visibility underwater as well. The family of watches has been updated and fine-tuned to withstand deeper dives and comes with a helium escape valve that allows the watch to easily handle underwater pressure without exploding.
The Superocean Héritage watches celebrate the collection’s 50th anniversary and pay homage to the original models.
Limited Edition Breitling Superocean Héritage II “Outerknown” Chronograph 44mm Watch
This Breitling Superocean Héritage model is limited to only 2,000 pieces worldwide and just 200 in the UK. The model celebrates Breitling’s partnership with sustainable apparel manufacturer Outerknown, co-founded by surfing legend Kelly Slater. The watch comes with a NATO strap crafted from ECONYL® yarn, an innovative material created from nylon waste sourced from beaches around the world.
The black DLC-coated stainless-steel 44mm case, striking blue dial and unique blue strap add a dramatic style perfect for those who wish to make a bold style statement. In addition, the gorgeous blue hues found in this model create a powerful link to the ocean.
The self-winding automatic, C.O.S.C.-certified chronometer, as well as the smartwatch complication, make this a unique timepiece perfect to accompany you on your outdoor adventures. The unidirectional bezel is also perfect for divers, as it helps to measure diving time in an accurate way and prevents time manipulation due to accidental touches.
The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal ensures the watch’s durability and longevity, which, combined with its other excellent features, makes it perfect for an investment model.
The Limited Edition Breitling Superocean Héritage II “Outerknown” Chronograph 44mm watch can be purchased from Banks Lyon for £5,600 at 0% finance. We understand convenience is important, so we have several financing options available:
- A deposit of 10% allows you to spread the cost over a 36-month period for £140 a month
- With a 20% deposit, you can spread the cost over 48 months and pay only £93.33 a month
Cartier Santos de Cartier
Cartier watches are timeless pieces made to last a lifetime and more. A pioneer in stylish watchmaking and with a rich heritage they embody in each piece, Cartier has perfected the art of crafting refined and modern, yet classic watches that appeal to many watch aficionados around the world.
The French watchmaker, which was founded in 1847 in Paris by Louis-François Cartier, is known for combining cutting-edge technology with design and have a long history of selling timepieces to aristocracy, royalty and celebrities. ‘The jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers’, Cartier watches are treasured for generations and appreciated for anyone who is passionate about performance and style – and wish to own a classic timepiece that will always be fashionable. For this reason, all Cartier collections are ideal as investment watches, including the Cartier Santos watches.
This collection is dynamic and ageless, designed for both men and women and always push the boundaries of watchmaking. The luxury range pays homage to the original model owned by Alberto Santos-Dumont and is reminiscent of the Art Deco style of the time. The pieces in the Santos collection have a large bezel, a rounded dial and visible screws, which echoes the rivets on an aircraft.
A collection that will stand the test of time and continues to charm watch fans around the world.
Cartier Santos de Cartier XL Chronograph Watch
This extra-large model comes with a 43.5mm steel case and ADLC bezel, as well as a 7-sided crown set with a faceted black synthetic spinel. The satin-brushed silvered dial and black steel sword-shaped hands with luminescent material offer unrivalled sophistication to the piece, and the self-winding automatic chronograph (calibre 1904 CH MC) is a powerful movement that ensures high performance.
With scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, water-resistance of up to 100 meters and steel and PVD watch case, you can expect this watch to be a durable, yet classy and always trendy, model.
You can never go wrong with a Santos de Cartier watch, which continues to be a popular choice for many ladies and gents around the world, including Kate Middleton and Jake Gyllenhaal.
The Cartier Santos de Cartier XL Chronograph watch is available for £7,700 at 0% finance. You can pay the full cost upfront or choose a financing option:
- With a deposit of 10%, you can pay the cost over a 36-month period for £192.50 a month
- A 20% deposit will let you spread the cost over 48 months and pay £128.33 a month
IWC Portugieser
Luxury brand IWC is the personification of haute horlogerie. The watchmaker has been designing and manufacturing timepieces recognised worldwide for their precision, forward-thinking technology and sophistication since 1868. Founded in the Swiss town of Schaffhausen by American engineer and watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, IWC continues, to this date, to deliver high-quality pieces crafted with stunning attention to detail and precision engineering.
IWC watches are a perfect balance of luxury, form and function. Each piece undergoes extensive tests, such as impact, abrasion, UV rays and corrosion, so every IWC enthusiast knows the watches are manufactured with the highest possible quality. The brand has become increasingly sought after due to timepieces such as the IWC Portugieser watches, which are named after two Portuguese businessmen who request IWC create a precise marine chronometer in the 1930s.
This iconic family of watches has had several iterations over time and is an everyday classic capable of transforming any wardrobe into a more sophisticated version of itself. Understated and timeless, IWC Portugieser watches catch the eye with a simplicity that is difficult to match – and are ideal as investment pieces due to their popularity, elegant style, precision and reliability.
IWC Portugieser Automatic Watch
This model is one of the most successful Portugieser watches ever produced in Schaffhausen. The elegant blue dial retains the classic appeal of the original Portugieser and offers a further touch of sophistication to an already stylish piece. The pawls, automatic wheel and rotor bearing in the legendary Pellaton winding system are made from wear-resistant ceramic. The watch has an impressive 7-day power reserve complication.
The Portugieser Automatic comes with a 42.3mm stainless-steel case and is an ergonomic and comfortable piece on the wrist, including slimmer ones. The IWC-manufactured 52010-calibre is a powerful movement that can be seen through the transparent caseback, which also allows you to glimpse the black ceramic pawls in the winding system and the Geneva stripe decoration.
This IWC Portugieser Automatic watch can be purchased for £10,650 at 0% finance from Banks Lyon. You’ll be spoilt for choice with our number of financing options, which include:
- Paying a deposit of 10% and spreading the cost over a 36-month period for £266.25 a month
- A 20% deposit, which will let you spread the cost over 48 months and pay £177.50 monthly
As award-winning jewellers, Banks Lyon stocks a fantastic array of luxury watches that are perfect as investment pieces should you decide to recoup a considerable sum down the line. Durable and reliable, as well as precise and stylish, all of these watches have another thing in common: they possess a timeless appeal that makes them true classics to be treasured for generations.
Contact us today on WhatsApp on +44(0)7849 433 919 to enquire about these timepieces. Alternatively, visit Banks Lyon, and our friendly personal shoppers will be happy to help you choose the right investment watch for you in the comfort of our private viewing room – and our many purchasing options allow you to buy a watch your own way and at your convenience.