How To Sell a Watch
Whether you’re downsizing your watch collection or you want to sell a piece you inherited, selling a watch can be daunting. Many luxury watches are worth more than $50,000, so you could lose a lot of money by accepting the wrong offer. The market for pre-owned watches is growing larger every day, so there are lots of options for selling your watch. Keep reading to learn how to get the best deal on your timepiece.
Gather Any Paperwork, Packaging, or Accessories
Items like the original box or packaging, a receipt, an authenticity guarantee, a warranty card, and service records can increase the value of your watch. You may also have additional links for the bracelet, straps with different colors, covers for the watch face, cleaning cloths, setting styluses, or other accessories. Selling all of these things along with your watch will make the process much easier and keep you from being stuck with accessories for a watch you no longer own.
Before you sell your watch, make sure you look through your jewelry boxes or dressers and find any items related to it. If you don’t have any paperwork, these are some of the watch brands that will send you a certificate of authentication for a small fee:
- Audemars Piguet.
- Breguet.
- IWC.
- Longines.
- Jaeger-LeCoultre.
- Ulysse Nardin.
- Omega.
- Piaget.
- Patek Philippe.
- Zenith.
Look For Your Watch’s Model or Serial Number
Most luxury watches have a model or reference number that lets buyers know exactly what features they have. For example, there are several different editions of the Rolex Submariner with different looks and values. The reference number lets people tell them apart easily without relying on more subtle features. Most watches have a unique serial number as well. The serial number can help you estimate the date when the watch was produced by looking at production charts or serial number databases available online. Some databases are official, and others are compiled by watch enthusiasts.
You should be able to find the model and serial numbers on your watch’s paperwork. You can usually find these ID numbers on the watch as well. Here’s where you can find them for some common brands.
Audemars Piguet watches have an alphanumeric serial number engraved on the exterior of the caseback and a reference number on the movement mainplate inside the watch. You’ll need to remove the caseback to see it. Breitling watches have the model or reference number and the serial number on the case, and both of them only include numbers. With Chopard and Cartier, a four-digit code on the exterior tells you which collection the watch is from, but the full reference or model number is only on the paperwork. The serial number is on the caseback as well.
Jaeger-LeCoultre watches have a reference number on the back and a separate number on the paperwork. The serial number is on the inside or outside of the caseback depending on the year the watch was made. Panerai watches are similar, but the serial number is always on the outside. Omega watches have the serial number on the outside of the case and the model or reference number on the outside. With Patek Philippe, you’ll need to remove the caseback to see the model or reference number and the case number. There’s also a movement number engraved on the movement.
Rolex model or reference numbers are on the case, underneath the lug on the 12 o’clock side of the watch. Lugs are the projections where the straps or bracelets are attached, and you’ll need to remove your watch’s bracelet to see the model number. The serial number is on the opposite side next to the 6 for most Rolexes. Those made after 2005 have the serial number on the rehaut, the bezel or ring between the watch’s dial and the crystal or glass.
Do Some Research
Find out more about the brand and model of your watch, its history, and how many were made. See how much similar models are selling for, and get your watch appraised by a professional.
Your watch could be worth more or less than the listings for the same model that you see online. The price depends on how rare it is, the material it’s made from, the number of gems or jewels, and whether there’s any wear or damage. Some businesses charge a fee for appraisals, but you can get one for free from Las Vegas Jewelry and Coin Exchange. After you get an offer for your watch, you can think about it and compare it to other offers.
Consider Servicing Your Watch
If no one wants to pay as much as you think your watch is worth, consider having it cleaned and serviced by an expert. You can make sure that it’s working perfectly and get rid of any scratches, dents, or other damage. You can also replace a worn leather band or a damaged metal bracelet. However, some watch buyers may prefer to have watches serviced themselves after they make their purchases.
A watch that has all of its original parts could be worth more than the same model that has had some parts replaced, even if the original parts have some scratches or other damage. If your watch works well and it’s in relatively good condition, having it cleaned should be sufficient.
Take Plenty of Pictures
Giving potential buyers access to lots of pictures will make them more willing to take a close look at your watch and possibly make an offer. You’ll also be able to reach people who don’t live near you. Make sure there’s lots of light, get close-ups, and make the background as simple as possible. Take pictures of any documents you have as well.
At Las Vegas Jewelry and Coin Exchange, you can sell your watch with ease. If you don’t live nearby, we’ll send you an insured shipping label for your watch. After you send it, you’ll get an offer. You can accept it or get your timepiece mailed back for free.
Tags: how to sell a watch, Watches
