Watches depreciate and appreciate at wildly different rates and, unlike a car with a Blue Book value, it can be incredibly complicated to determine a listing price for your pre-owned watch. To help you pin down a sales price, here are the factors that will affect the price of your pre-owned watch.
General Condition
The details of a watch’s condition and appearance are crucial in pin-pointing its price range. Functioning watches with all its original parts are the ideal, whereas non-working timepieces and ones refurbished with new parts (like a replaced dial, crystal or bracelet) are less desirable to shoppers.
If a watch has a patina (a thin film that covers certain precious metals after being exposed to oxygen for prolonged periods of time), it can actually increase the value in certain cases, provided that it does not otherwise affect the condition of the watch.
To zero in your particular watch’s value, cross-reference it with listings for the same model in roughly the same condition. And when you do list your watch, it is essential to include any replacement parts and minor damage that falls outside the range of normal wear-and-tear.
The Dial
The most important feature in determining a watch’s price is the dial. The dial’s overall appearance including the printing, logo, and hands can wildly sway the cost of a pre-owned watch.
One dial of particular interest to collectors are “Tropical Dials.” Tropical Dials are watches whose black dials have, over time, changed to brown. These collector pieces typically garner a higher price tag as authentic and even-wear is a rare find. However, uneven wear on the dial (spotty or non-uniform brown coloring) is an indicator of water damage that can create rust, functionality issues, and effectively lower the price.
The Crystal
After the dial, the state of crystal is the second most important factor in determining a pre-owned watch’s price. The crystal is the mineral glass that protects the dial and watch hands.
While a scratched crystal is not necessarily a deal-breaker, it’s worth noting because it may be an indication there are less visible issues with the watch’s condition and the dial. One vintage watch buyer explains, “If there are marks [seemingly on the crystal] but those marks stay in the same spot on the dial no matter the angle [at which you view the watch], it could be a dial issue—not a crystal issue.”
Therefore, when pricing your watch, a scratch on the crystal is not a make-it-or-break-it factor, but a scratch on the dial is. Again, it is crucial to note this crystal or dial scratch in your product description.
Stamps and Engravings
Always note the year, model, and country of origin in your watch’s listing to increase its price. Knowing the serial number is crucial too but do not list it publicly as counterfeiters are known for copying the serial numbers and stamping them on phony watches to give their forgeries an air of authenticity.
Also it’s worth noting if the watch had a famous previous owner or an interesting history that adds it to its sentimental (and ticket) value. However, excluding those with a storied past, most watches with personal engravings are usually dismissed by collectors and this can negatively affect the price.
The Case
The condition of a pre-owned case is becoming increasingly important to collectors. The case is the metal that houses the watch’s components. A vintage watch with an unpolished, original case oftentimes yields are higher price as they continue to appreciate at a higher rate than their polished counterparts.
Precious Metals
Plated metal does not age well. Pre-owned watches that are gold-filled or metal plated are not going to fetch the same price as a vintage watch made of pure precious metal. Timepieces made of stainless steel, sterling silver, platinum, or 14K or 18K gold will garner the best prices.
Box & Papers
Regardless of whether or not you’re planning on selling your watch, always keep your watch’s original box and authentication papers. They’re smart to keep on hand for your own records, and including the box and papers gives your listing a serious edge in both credibility and pricing.
If you are interested in selling a pre-owned watch, our customer service team is here to help. Contact them here for more information on how to list with TrueFacet.