

What is the most unicorn watch of the moment?īW: The Patek Philippe ‘Nautilus’ (ref. Use this window to your advantage and take the watch to a local repair shop to make sure it’s authentic and in good condition. For example, if you’re buying a pre-owned watch from Rebag, you have 14 days to return it. Also, check the return policy for a watch. Here’s where a watch buddy can come in handy. This will start to show in the dulling of hallmarks and edges that once made the watch special. When people take in their watches to be serviced, manufacturers will often polish the watch, meaning a layer of the metal is stripped away each time it goes in. If you’re buying from a dealer, Google them first to see if they have any positive or negative reviews. If you want a pre-owned Cartier ‘Tank’ for example, go into the Cartier store first and try on the different variations based on size, metal, and so on.

HOROLOGY WATCHES WATCH ONLINE
You may be buying a watch online but that shouldn’t stop you from walking into a watch boutique to try different pieces on for size. My second piece of advice is to try watches on. My first piece of advice is to make a watch buddy, someone to whom you can talk, who knows their way around high-end watches. There are a few things you can do to understand this world a bit better. Do you have any tips on navigating the pre-owned watch market?īW- The pre-owned watch market can be very overwhelming, with literally thousands of options from various dealers priced all over the place. We have all of this to thank for the secondary-market boom. I’m assuming the supply chain plays a role here too. People scooping up all the new watches has led to a spike in demand and a decrease in supply, hence the empty Rolex shelves. What changes have you seen in the watch industry since the pandemic?īW: The pandemic induced some panic-buying amongst the wealthy, spurring individuals to buy not only watches but art and real estate too.

Instagram has been a huge buying resource too, with more dealers developing a social media presence. People are buying from The Real Real just as much as they are from more standard watch-focused sites like Chrono24. Because of this, people are exploring the secondary, pre-owned market more than ever before. Go into any Rolex store in the world right now and you’ll see that the shelves are empty. Instead, buy what you love.Ĭeline shirt, vintage Ferragamo loafers and pleated skirt, and Cartier watch Ava Van Osdol What new sourcing and buying trends have you noticed recently?īW: In the past year, it’s become nearly impossible to buy new watches from the top Swiss watchmakers (Patek Philippe, Rolex or Audemars Piguet). Don’t concern yourself over resale value. You’re treating yourself to a nice object that can be passed down for generations.

The main thing you’re investing in is yourself. Yes, high-end timepieces are an investment, but you can never really place a bet on what will hold its value and what won’t (with a few exceptions). What are some rookie mistakes that should be avoided? How do you know if it will be a good investment?īW: A common misconception is that all luxury watches will start to appreciate in value with time. Buy something that you truly enjoy and will wear frequently. And if you do have the money for the big brands, lucky you. There are plenty of great options that aren’t Rolex or Cartier, like vintage Seiko and Timex or small brands like Breda. If you’re just getting into watches, choose something within your budget to avoid stressing yourself out. Wallner is wearing her mother’s double-breasted Chanel jacket from the 1980s, a vintage white silkĬeline shirt, vintage Ferragamo loafers and pleated skirt, and Cartier watch Ava Van Osdol What advice would you give first-time watch buyers?īrynn Wallner (BW): Don’t concern yourself too much with price or brand name.
