If You Only Invest for Financial Gain, It Might Not Turn Out as Expected

Turning dimes into quarters – every Quote reader’s dream, right? To make that dream come true, you could take a bold leap into highly volatile cryptocurrency, wait for a winning lottery ticket, or set up a lucrative invoicing machine. If you’d prefer a bit more certainty, consider investing in exclusive products with the hope that their value will multiply. Requirement: enough spare funds you can afford to part with. Quote took a stroll through the golden corridors for a look into exclusive goods that are worth investing in. Possibly an interesting addition to your portfolio.

Timeless watches

There are countless opportunities in the world of horology. The Rolex phenomenon is widely known: secondary market prices are often higher than retail (although pre-owned Rolex prices have dropped significantly in the past year). We asked entrepreneur and watch expert Jasper Lijfering for some context: “Free market forces – it’s simply a matter of supply and demand. The primary function of a watch, telling time, has become obsolete. Still, a watch is more relevant than ever, primarily because it captures emotion. It’s mechanical art where history, aesthetics and craftsmanship come together in a wearable object. There’s also a more banal reason for the rise in popularity: a watch is often seen as a status symbol.”

Lijfering continues: “Some brands and models have retained their value, and over time even become outstanding investments. Our focus is on extremely rare and collectible vintage watches, where supply is either fixed or shrinking, while demand and market interest are growing. Those are ideal conditions for an investment asset. Condition, originality and rarity of the configuration are the key factors in current value and future development.”

Exclusive whisky

Taste may be subjective, but the price of a bottle of spirits is very much up for debate. With whisky, it’s mostly about the age, says whisky expert and owner of worldwinewhisky.nl Henrik Krijnen. “Whisky age refers to how long it’s been in the barrel, and how old the bottle itself is. A portion evaporates while aging (‘angel’s share’ – since you’re sharing it with the angels), which means less whisky remains. The fewer bottles that survive over the years, the more exclusive they become. That doesn’t necessarily impact taste, although older bottles usually have more character,” Henrik explains.

So is exclusive whisky worth the investment? “Yes,” Henrik says confidently. “Whisky is a unique product – you can’t reproduce it. As long as people keep drinking over time, and you still have a sealed bottle, you benefit from that scarcity.” If you do invest, the expert recommends traditional Scottish whisky, as old as possible.

Tip for beginner whisky investors: “Look for limited editions, so you know how many bottles were bottled. Right now the whisky market is relatively calm, making it the perfect time to buy. You won’t make a fast return, but investing is a long-term game – and a solid bottle could easily yield 10% to 15% profit margin,” Henrik advises.

Rare sneakers

When it comes to exclusive collectibles, sneakers may not be the first thing that comes to mind. More of an investment for the nouveau riche, perhaps? Yet this niche market is in many ways just as comparable to cars, whiskies, and watches, argues Frank Klerks from Outsole. “Sneakers as collectors’ items are still overlooked. To many, collecting older (worn) shoes seems strange. But when you buy a used luxury car, no one bats an eye. Sneakers are a multi-billion-dollar industry that’s been growing since the early 2000s,” says Frank.

So which kicks are worth investing in? “Sneakers with strong branding, limited runs, and ideally a bit of history. Some hyped releases can bring quick returns, but there are also legendary models like the Air Max 1, Air Jordan 1 and Dunk Low that remain in demand.” Or, in the wise words of Lange Frans: “Air Max will never go out of style.”

Tip for beginner sneaker investors: “Just like some watches, sneakers can instantly spike on the resale market compared to the retail price. If you want to win, you’ve got to act fast – not buy after the hype, which fades quickly. Also, always research the edition size and make sure you know who you’re buying from – there’s a ton of replicas out there. But if you play it smart, you can score solid returns,” the sneaker expert concludes.

Conclusion for beginner investors

What’s the key takeaway? Invest in exclusivity. The more scarce, the better. But only invest in products you truly believe in, and only if you can afford the risk. Some assets require years to mature, while others demand speed and timing. In short: do your research before you invest.

Quote | by Mart de Jong | April 5, 2025