Investing in a high-end, collectible timepiece is one of the most enjoyable investments one can make, and unlike other long-term investments like a 401(k) or a stock position, you can enjoy your watch and its usefulness every day for decades. However, when it comes time to cash in on your investment, or even move up in the world of horology, you might find yourself with less than you thought if you haven't been giving your watch the TLC it deserves. Here are four simple ways to protect the value of your watch from its first wind to antique status. 

Never Polish It

While this one might sound counter intuitive, true watch aficionados, including appraisal experts, will be able to tell if a watch has been polished. Polishing will invariably change the grain of the metal on the watch, and anything that separates a watch from its factory condition is seen as detrimental to its value. If your watch starts to look tarnished or run-down, a rinse with soapy water will do the trick if it's waterproof, or some fine cleaning with a cotton swab if it won't handle water. 

Wear it Often

Another one that might not make immediate sense, wearing your watch every day is very important to its well being. This piece of advice applies mostly to automatic watches, but mechanical watches will benefit from the same idea, you'll just have to hand wind it often. A watch will run best when it is at least half wound, and wearing it every day will surely achieve this goal. If you have too big a collection to wear each watch everyday, investing in a watch winder will pay for itself in saved value. 

Be Careful With Repairs

Going back to the first point, anything that detracts from the original condition of the watch will be seen as value-lowering. This especially includes repairs like those made to the dial or the hands, which are very easy to spot to the trained eye. As a general rule, only take your watch to be cosmetically repaired when its function is impeded, and even then only to a certified dealer, or send it to the manufacturer itself. Nothing ruins the value of a quality watch like a shoddy repair job.

If you plan on reselling your watch in the future, it's never too early to start preparing for your appraisal meeting. This means that you can start helping your watch pay you back the second you get it by strapping it on for an extra few minutes or returning that bottle of polish you just bought at the hardware store. When you're finally ready to sell, contact a professional buyer, like The Gold Miner, for an appraisal.