Recommendations for Watch Buyers

Choosing a luxury watch can sometimes be a major undertaking, which is why we provide buyers with some useful recommendations.

1. Think through your wishes calmly

A watch is not a rabbit that will run away. If the feeling isn’t right, delaying is not a sin. Just don’t waste sellers’ time with empty questions, because time, on the other hand, is running out.

2. A listing is only information, not a promise that you will actually like the watch

Therefore, if you haven’t familiarized yourself with the model in question before, we recommend physically trying the watch on if possible. If a seller refuses without a reasonable cause, they are not the right seller for you.

3. No warranty applies when selling from one private individual to another

Thoroughly research the product being offered. Try it on your wrist, and take it to a watchmaker together with the seller. Although we try to keep risks as low as possible, even the best watch sellers cannot see inside a watch, and fine mechanisms can always provide negative surprises. A listing only describes the watch as the seller sees it. Whether it has been dropped or has some other underlying fault – this can only be confirmed through visual inspection and a watchmaker’s help.

4. Photos say more about the seller than the watch

Over-processed photos may simply show the seller’s peculiar sales technique, but a lack of photos indicates either carelessness or laziness – when selling a used product worth thousands of euros, it is not difficult to take a dozen sharp snaps with a phone so the buyer can get all the information immediately.

5. Ask questions before, not after making the deal

In the case of private individuals, the rule “no later complaints will be satisfied” applies. Unless, of course, you are dealing with a reputable watch seller who cares about their clients.

Condition, service history, polishing, completeness – these are standard topics, not taboos. The more questions asked, the clearer the picture the buyer gets.

6. No price is set in stone

The seller may write the price, but the market determines it. Once a watch has been listed for sale, the product is subject to market rules.

7. Buying a watch? Good. But buy the seller too.

The seller is part of the transaction because the watch doesn’t move on its own. If communication is intermittent, answers change, or details start to vary, this vagueness becomes part of the deal. And part of the price.

8. The need for service is the norm, not a disaster

A used watch is not maintenance-free. The need for a service doesn’t make it a bad purchase, but if you haven’t factored the additional service cost into the price, the purchase may turn out to be very expensive, as servicing some movements is very costly. A good seller usually sells a good watch in a condition where there is still plenty of time until the next service.

9. The best position for a buyer is the ability to walk away

The market isn’t going anywhere. If your wallet doesn’t allow it, don’t buy it.

10. Don’t forget the legalities

If possible, conclude a contract with the seller. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a formal written document; an email exchange that qualifies as a reproducible format is sufficient. Record the watch brand, model, reference number, serial number, condition, completeness, payment terms, price, warranty, and other essential info to avoid later disputes.