12 Luxury Items That Never Lose Value

In an age of economic uncertainty, it’s often tough to know what to invest in. Stocks tumble, gold prices rise and fall, cryptocurrencies have proven to be unpredictable. One thing that does seem to be certain? Luxury items tend to not only be very expensive, but they become even pricier as time goes on.

Watches and jewelry, vintage cars and high-end art, limited-edition handbags and sporty sneakers — these are all fine luxury goods that not only cost hundreds, thousands or even millions to purchase when brand new, but they also appreciate in value with each passing year. Sometimes, a wise investment isn’t a risky stock or a dodgy crypto, but simply a rare luxury item for which demand will only increase over time.

Limited-Edition Sneakers

Thanks to their limited-edition scarcity, their cultural ubiquity in the sports and pop music worlds, and fervent collector fan base (often stoked by celebrity endorsements and even more limited variants), limited-edition sneakers are not only expensive from the jump but can become stratospherically expensive on the aftermarket. Case in point: The Nike Air Jordan 1 series, originally sold for $65 in 1985, now goes for over $30,000.

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Vintage Luxury Cars

Vintage luxury auto brands such as Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche were already expensive (often six figures) the moment they rolled off their respective lots. After a few decades of appreciation and diminishing availability, those prices can skyrocket — as was the case with the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupé, which became the most expensive car ever sold when it was auctioned for $143 million in 2022.

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Cartier Watches and Jewelry

Due to a resurgence among wealthy, younger shoppers, bracelets and watches by Cartier start at $8,650 and resell for even more.

Fine Porcelain

Vintage and antique porcelain frequently set records on the auction markets, especially with Hong Kong-based porcelain décor and dishes. Beautiful and intricate Chinese and Hong Kong ceramics have sold for up to $38 million via Sotheby’s.

Hermès Kelly Bag

“The Hermès Kelly bag is named after Grace Kelly, princess of Monaco. Its structured, classic lines make it a timeless choice, and the brand’s high-quality materials and superb craftsmanship ensure that it will last for years to come,” said Kara McClurg, an expert in fashion and accessories at online marketplace Everything But The House.

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Hermès Birkin Bag

“Brands like Hermès tend to have more value because of how limited the supply is,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews, who added that the brand does not have frequent sales and limits the number of outlet stores, which also keeps values high.

Depending on the bag, the value can increase with time. Emily Dang, co-founder of pre-owned luxury retail site SnobSwap, told the website Who What Wear this about the iconic accessory: “Birkin bag retail prices range from $9,000 to $150,000 and can see resale prices up to $223,000. Most Birkins retain or increase in value, depending on leather, hardware and demand.”

Chanel Classic Handbag

“Chanel still carries an air of exclusivity because it doesn’t sell any of its products online, with the exception of its beauty line,” Ramhold said.

Chanel bags actually can increase in value over time.

“Ten years ago, I purchased my first Chanel medium flap in caviar leather for $1,600,” Dang said in a 2017 Who What Wear article. “This same exact bag now retails for $4,900. That is a 206% return. … The resale value of this bag also retains or increases depending on leather and hardware.”

Louis Vuitton Neverfull

The Louis Vuitton Neverfull seems to never go out of style, and it has remained a popular handbag thanks to periodic price increases and a high demand, Dang told Who What Wear.

“The Neverfull is one of Louis Vuitton’s all-time most successful bags that come in endless options of materials as well as limited editions and special artist collaborations,” she said.

A standard Neverfull will retain at least 85% of its value, Dang said. Rare, limited-edition versions can increase in value and sell for at least double the original cost.

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Rolex Watches

“Rolex is the only brand that is able to maintain a high resale value with the majority of its products,” Ariel Adams, founder of ABlogtoWatch.com, told Money magazine.

Adams explained that the watches are able to retain their value because Rolex offers only a limited product line, which has enabled the watches to become recognizable names.

However, some models hold their value better than others. Paul Altieri, a watch expert and CEO of vintage Rolex dealer Bob’s Watches, told Money that the GMT, the Submariner and the Daytona are the best bets to invest in if you hope to eventually resell.

Diamonds

“Diamonds have and retain a market value that is either consistent or increases over time,” said jeweler and diamond expert Dan Moran of Concierge Diamonds Inc.

However, it’s important to note that unless you are buying wholesale, you will end up paying more than the price of the diamond itself.

“Any time you pay retail for something, you’re paying for a lot more than the product you’re purchasing,” Moran said. “You’re paying for advertising, staff, lighting, inventory — all the expenses that go into running a retail business get bundled into the retail price.”

Moran also warned against buying lab-grown diamonds, which do not retain value.

“A diamond retains its value because there is a finite supply,” he said. “The basic laws of supply and demand maintain that as demand increases, value goes up. With lab-grown diamonds, there is an ever-growing supply but not an overwhelming demand. So naturally, the lab-grown diamond loses its resale value.”

High-End Art

“Classic pieces are one of a kind, and many people can appreciate them whether they’re art aficionados or not,” Ramhold said. “The reason why high-end pieces hold their value goes back to standard economics: Demand is high, and supply is low. The most valuable pieces might have reproductions, but there’s only one true original.”

In January 2018, an oil painting by pop artist Wayne Thiebaud sold for $1.08 million. The 1960s art piece was expected to sell for $400,000 to $800,000.

Christian Louboutin Shoes

Christian Louboutin is among the few luxury shoe brands that hold their value, according to Fortune. This seems to be especially true for more ornate and embellished styles. The Follies Strass pump sells new for $1,345, while a used pair can sell for as much as $1,025.

“The red sole is always a winner for resale value,” Tracy DiNunzio, the CEO of resale site Tradesy, told Fashionista in 2014. “Louboutins consistently command the highest return on investment in the shoe category.”

Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article.

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