For a savvy buyer, pre owned watches can be a lucrative investment. Be aware that while few well-made watches will lose value, to actually make money from a watch auction requires a knowledge of those gems that will appreciate in value.
Rolex Datejust Turnograph 16253 Stainless Steel and 18K Men’s Watch
A pre owned Rolex will always carry a cache with collectors, and along with vintage Patek Philippe watches, Bregeut, Audemars Piguet, Omega, and Cartier, comprises a vintage watch market valued at over 5 billion euro globally. The internet has made finding some of the rarer watches at low prices more difficult, but by no means impossible.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 18k Rose Gold Men’s Watch
The three prime qualities you should seek in a watch are:
Rarity: The rarer and more unusual a watch, the more appealing it will be to a collector. Not that any of these luxury timepieces could ever be considered common, but the best returns are made on watches that were made in limited production runs, or that were only deemed collectible later on, after many examples were lost. Prototypes, and new watches with wait lists are also good potential investments.
Authenticity: It goes without saying that when you buy a Rolex, you want to be buying an actual Rolex. That means staying away from shady salesman with trenchcoats. Always request documentation of your watch’s authenticity to be sure you are getting exactly what you are paying for. Patek Philippe is especially good at this, as the company keeps comprehensive records on every watch it has made. Collectors can verify the repair history of any watch before purchase.
Condition: Always carefully inspect a potential purchase for any blemishes or damage. The better a condition a watch is in, the better example it is of its type, and the more desirable it will be to a collector. Always buy the best-kept watch you can afford.
Matthew H for Raymond Lee Jewelers, South Florida’s premiere source for buying and selling luxury watches and designer jewelry.
