Pre-owned vs. Brand New

Both options certainly have their benefits and depending on what you are looking for in your watch as well as what budget you have to work with, either option could be the ideal one for you.

Second hand watches do tend to be a lot cheaper, but although you can most certainly expect to be paying out a lot less, the price alone shouldn’t be the main deciding factor as there are a few other things to take into consideration.

New Watches

It is easy to think that since second hand luxury watches are available on the market, new watches have fallen out of favour with the buyers. But the truth is that new watches are still selling out each year and watch brands are constantly adding new watches to their collections to keep up with the demand for these high-end accessories.

When buying a new luxury watch, you are buying something that is exclusive and covered by a decent warranty. These watches can be bought from watch dealers or even directly from the watch brand itself.

One of the biggest determining factors when buying such a watch is going to be the price. New watch prices can get a little eye watering, but they are that expensive for a reason. Being the first to own a luxury watch means you are holding something that is exclusively yours and will always hold a certain amount of sentimental value. And then there is the fact that the new watch you buy is going to be a real investment.

Pre-Owned Watches

A used watch can be an incredible buy. When bought from a real, trusted watch dealer, not only will you become the owner of a superb timepiece, but you will also be buying a high-end watch that doesn’t come with that high-end price tag.

When you are buying a pre-owned watch, you will need to make sure that the one you buy is authentic. So while you could purchase your watch from a random dealer, it would be best to stick to companies or sales people who have a trusted reputation in the industry.

Before you decide to buy a used watch it is important to make sure that you go through the various factors that will give you a keen insight into whether the used watch you are looking at is worth the buy. These factors are only really applied to used watches as brand new watches don’t necessarily need to be examined in the same way:

• The condition of the watch

  Since all second hand watches have been worn before, the condition of the watch certainly needs to be taken into consideration. If there are scratches or any other type of damage to the watch, it is best to steer clear of the watch as it might have lost value due to the condition.

• The watch accessories

  You should have a look at whether or not the watch comes with any of its original accessories or at the very least, accessories related to the brand. Often the watch accessories are just as important as the actual timepiece.

• The warranty period

  Both new and used watches can have a warranty period. The difference is that for the new watch the warranty will come directly from the brand while with the used watch, the warranty period will be supplied by the second hand watch dealer.

• The price

  Naturally, a used watch is going to be a whole lot cheaper. But if the watch is too cheap it could be a sign that the watch is either damaged in some way or it could be that the watch is actually a fake and as such a waste of money.

• The depreciation factor

  While watches are known to hold their value, the older the watch is, the less valuable it might be if the brand or the watch itself is not highly sought after. So you should do a little research into the watch you are buying as well as how in demand it is.

You should also make sure that the watch is certified and that it comes with a certificate of authenticity.

FAQ

Are pre-owned watches worth it?

They are most certainly worth it. Pre-owned watches hold their value really well and they are since they are a bit more affordable, you can easily add a luxury watch to your collection.

What is the best second hand watch to buy?

The best second hand watch to buy would be any watch from the Rolex family. This brand is not only manufacturing superb watches but they are also able to hold their value really well.

Where is the best place to buy used watches?

The best place to buy your watch would be online and at Topwatch we have a wide selection of the best luxury watch brands, both new and second hand.

Which Watch holds its value best?

All luxury watches have the power of holding their value but some of the more reputable brands include Rolex, which is by far the most popular.

What are the best watches to collect?

Any luxury watch will be a great choice to collect. Some brands that you should give extra attention to include Rolex, Omega, Blancpain, Ulysse Nardin and Patek Philippe. Some of the best watches to look for include the Longines Vintage Chronograph, the Rolex Daytona and the Rolex GMT.