With waitlists ranging from six to 36 months to get a Rolex through the watchmaker’s authorized channels, secondhand shops hold inventory to supply walk-in customers.
One tourist from Texas stopped by to purchase a 26 mm Rolex Datejust watch for his wife after Macy’s sold out of the make. Iskhakov identified the watch through a photo and made the sale, years faster than if the tourist had gone to Rolex.But the secondhand market is also more expensive than the retail market. Watches in the grey market are anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars more than their brand-new counterparts at Rolex, to thousands of dollars more expensive if they are rare.
Luxury watches are not just for style and design. They are also used as an alternative investment, with some brands"They view the watch as an investment, not just a waste of money," Iskhakov said.