How much is my watch worth?

When you’re as passionate about watches as we are, there are a few ways in which we approach answering the question –  “How much is my watch worth?”

There’s the obvious financial value, but then there’s also the ‘potential’ value and of course last but not least – the emotional value to take into consideration. Let’s take each of these in turn and dig a little deeper…..

Financial Value

Whether you’re wanting to insure your watch, sell it or have it valued as part of a trade against another watch – ascertaining its true value involves an expert taking into consideration a number of objective factors and an understanding of market trends.

Here are the 10 key factors we take into consideration:

1. Brand & Model

• Luxury brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet often hold more value than some other brands.
• Rare or iconic models tend to have higher prices.

2. Condition

• Mint: No signs of wear, like new.
• Excellent: Minimal wear and no visible damage.
• Good: Some signs of wear but fully functional.
• Fair/Poor: Visible damage or functional issues.

If your watch needs a service, repair or any restoration, these will all have an impact on the value.

3. Age & Rarity

• Vintage watches, especially rare models, can fetch higher prices.
• Limited-edition runs or discontinued models often appreciate in value.

4. Materials

• Watches made with precious metals (gold, platinum) or adorned with diamonds often don’t hold more value.
• Unique materials like ceramic or titanium can also have an impact on value.

5. Movement

• Mechanical watches (especially automatic) tend to be more valuable than quartz.
• Complications (Chronographs, Moonphases, Perpetual Calendars) can significantly increase the worth of a watch.

6. Documentation & Original Packaging

• Original papers and the original boxes boost the value.
• The correct booklets and accessories make the watch into a ‘Full Set’ which increases the value significantly.
• A full-service history is a big plus for collectors.

7. Market Demand

• Popular models e.g. Rolex Submariner or Patek Philippe Nautilus can have inflated prices due to demand.
• Market trends fluctuate based on collector interest and global economy.

8. Provenance

• If a watch has an interesting history (e.g. Military Issue), it could add significant value.

9. Auction Prices

• Collectors and sellers often refer to auction results for similar watches to set prices.

10. Authenticity

• Verifying that the watch is authentic (not a replica) is critical, as fakes can be prevalent, especially for high-end brands.

Potential Value

When it comes to selling your watch, it’s always worth pausing and asking yourself – “what could my watch be worth?”

Is your watch is rare or discontinued or does it have an unusual provenance? If it does, there’s a strong possibility the watch will only become more valuable with time. If you’re considering cashing in some assets, it’s worth comparing the investment growth potential for each and choosing wisely.

If you can hang on to a good investment timepiece, it might not be a daily wearer but a true watch lover will always enjoy it on special occasions.

Emotional Value

Some luxury watches are priceless in terms of sentiment, history and provenance. A special gift, a watch passed down through generations or a watch with an unusual back story – these things are extremely difficult to put a price tag on.

If your watch checks all of the above financial value boxes and you need to sell it, sadly, its worth becomes a much harder emotional negotiation.

Giles Massingham, Founder of Oakleigh Watches shares …

“Over the years, I have had to let go of a few precious watches and my best advice is to enjoy it for the pleasure it’s brought you over the years and celebrate the enjoyment it will enable in the future. Whether that’s freedom, peace of mind or a deposit on a new house – it’s all about moving forwards.”

If you’re looking to sell or part exchange your watch, get in touch as we’d love to help. If we can’t buy your watch for stock, we also offer a Consignment Service and will use our knowledge and marketing tools to sell your watch for you.

Alternatively, if you’re looking to value your watch for insurance purposes, we recommend visiting Clock & Watchmakers – S.Michlmayr & Co for an honest valuation.