如果是备用表，根本就不要考虑买古董级手表，除非你很有钱，并且有一位大师级的表匠来做维修。如果你的手表需要一个零件，又无法从消费商那里订购，那么这个零件只能从头做起。这意味着维修费用会特别高昂。
Watch auctions are increasingly popular. The rules are the same as for any other type of auction: study the catalogues, know your financial limits and attend viewings before the auction. Recent watches will sell for substantially less than in stores that stock used pieces. If you find yourself bidding for a relatively new watch with little competition, you could snag a bargain.
手表的拍卖正变得越来越普遍。要遵守的原则跟其他任何类型的拍卖都是一样的：研究拍卖目录，明确自己的价格上限，然后还要参加拍卖前的预展。新近的手表卖出的价格比古董店里卖的要低很多。如果竞标的手表相对新，竞争也不激烈，那你可以捡个大便宜。
If in doubt, the substitute for knowledge and experience is access to the services of an expert. A watchmaker, an enthusiast, an honest retailer -- any of these will minimize the risks of buying a fine watch.
如果有疑问，除了自己的知识和经验以外，也可以寻求专家的服务。不管是一位手表工匠，一位爱好者，还是一位诚实的零售商，他们都会让你减少风险，买到一块特别不错的手表。
But it is also worth keeping in mind the only two real truths about the watch market:
但同时也值得记住手表市场的两条真理，也只有两条：
-- If you buy with an investor's mindset, only two brands are immune to fashion anddepreciation in the long term: Patek Philippe and Rolex.
──如果你以投资的心态购买，只有两个品牌不会受到潮流左右，长工夫过后不会贬值，那就是百达翡丽和劳力士。
-- And, if you want only one watch to keep you happy forever regardless of the occasion, there is a timepiece that is immune to snobbery, criticism, taste or quality issues. It's the Zippo lighter or the BMW 3-series of watches: a stainless steel Rolex Air-King.
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