5 Tips on how to sell your watch successfully

Thinking about selling your watch? Perhaps it is time to refresh your collection? Just about every watch collector reaches a point where they’d like to switch things around by selling a watch to free up funds for a new or different one. Selling a watch online can be a daunting task, especially the first time you do it. Achieving the best results (meaning getting the best price for your watch) involves putting in a little work.

Contents

Keep Important documents and records

Be informative

Take great photos of your watch

Be realistic in the expected value of your watch 

Choose the best place to sell your watch

Remember, watch collectors are a fussy and particular crowd with plenty of watches to choose from, so you should expect your watch to come under close scrutiny before it is purchased. Here are 5 Chrono Hunter tips to get you started on the path to a successful sale.

• Keep Important documents and records

If you’re selling a modern luxury watch, letting buyers know what you paid for it can give potential buyers confidence that the price you’re asking is a fair one. But whatever age your piece the more information and documents you can provide, the better the chances of selling your watch at a good price. Just as with your car, the eventual sale price of your watch can be maximised by having records of its ownership history. While it’s possible to sell your watch without its box and documents, lots of collectors appreciate them - and pay for them too. So dig out any service or warranty papers and sales receipts. They act as proof of authenticity and serve as a record of any repairs, cleaning, and parts replacements. On that note, many buyers attach great importance to original parts, so if any parts have been replaced, let the buyer know. And if you have the originals, considering letting them go as part of the package.

• Be informative

The basic information you’ll need to provide when selling your watch is the model name, model number, and serial number. These will all be on your original paperwork (if you have it), like the warranty card or a watch appraisal. Rolex watches conveniently carry their model number and serial number between the case lugs. Many watches carry their numbers on the inside of the caseback and on the movement. So if you don’t have the information to hand, or you can’t see it, ask a professional to open your watch and help you find it. 

Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to selling your watch and it helps to ensure a smoother sale. Be informative and be up front about the condition of your watch. Are there any dents, scratches, or scuffs? Does the bracelet have stretch or any loose links? Let the buyer know, and that way you’ll avoid any potential dissatisfaction or bad feelings later. 

• Take great photos of your watch 

By far the most important thing to know is that great photographs really help sell your watch quickly.  Good photographs are the best indicator of condition and while that may seem obvious, watches are difficult to photograph. Take the time to get your pictures right. You don’t need fancy cameras and lighting set-ups, you’ll be amazed what a smartphone camera and some decent daylight can achieve with a bit of trial and error. Get your pictures in focus and avoid glare on the crystal - you don’t want everything looking too shiny. If it’s the first time you’ve taken pictures for a sales listing look online for some advice on shooting watches. You’re sure to see a lot more interest from buyers when you present your piece in clear, well-lit pictures.

• Be realistic in the expected value of your watch 

This is one you may not like to read, but when selling your watch you need to be realistic about how much it is worth. Not all watches go up in value, in fact the majority don’t. 

The reality is that a lot of retailers can, and often do, offer a hefty discount off the RRP of a watch when they sell it, so if you think you’re going to get anywhere near the RRP you’re mistaken. Unless you have a sought after steel sports Patek Philippe or Rolex watch  - to name a couple of watches currently selling for more than the RRP -  then it’s likely the offers you receive will be more conservative. Chrono Hunter can guide you with an expected price based on historical offers so you can be sure you’re getting a fair price for your watch. 

• Choose the best place to sell your watch

Once you’ve taken some great photos, pulled all the information together and finally decided to sell your watch online you’ll need to think through the best place to sell it. It helps a lot to have an idea of your watch’s value. As mentioned in the previous point, the Chrono Hunter team will be able to help you with this.  Whilst you may have an idea from online advertisements, be aware that if you’re looking at prices offered by shops that give the buyer warranties and guarantees you cannot expect to command the same price.  

Auction houses may seem easy and hassle-free places to sell your watch, but their buyer and seller commissions are a price killer and you likely won’t get as much as your watch deserves, not to mention the questionable characters you may come across, lurking the ads for high value goods. That’s where using a certified online platform like Chrono Hunter offers advantages. We make it as easy as possible for you to sell your watch by getting the best, free and non-binding offers on your watch today from only the most reputable retailers. 

We have experience in helping people buy and sell luxury watches from all major manufacturers and offer you a huge network of potential buyers to handle your sale as quickly and securely as possible - at the best price.

Buy Or Sell A Luxury Watch The Smart Way With Chrono Hunter 

If you are considering your new purchase or perhaps the sale of a beloved timepiece, Chrono Hunter is the smart way to buy or sell a luxury watch.

Compare Offers from the worlds most reputable luxury watch retailers.

Save Time.

Save Money. 

Personalised Service. 

Hassle-Free.