But, with the limited inventory of luxury watches — as a result of, made even worse by the pandemic’s impact on the supply chain — as well as the promise of lower price points, many are shopping for secondhand pieces rather than buying them new.
With all this in mind, here's what you should keep in mind when shopping for a designer timepiece, secondhand or new.Layne says shoppers should first decide whether they want a “fashion watch” or a timepiece: “Fashion watches tend to be more seasonal, while timepieces are more classic.” The former may include watches from luxury, fashion-forward brands like Gucci, Chanel, and Bulgari, and may feature more interesting design details and double as jewelry.
Although fashion watches come at lower price points , Layne says their trendy elements and jewelry-like design reduce their life span, versus classic timepieces from brands that specialize solely in timepieces. While it all comes down to personal preference and budget, Layne suggests investing in timepieces from brands like Cartier, Rolex, and Philippe Patek that retain more value. “It’s better to invest in a Chanel or Hermès bag than a watch [from these brands],” says Layne.Right now, the secondhand luxury market — both in demand and resale value — is dominated by Rolex, a brand that, according to the, holds 82% of its value.
While most Rolex watches in the secondhand market sell well, Layne says there are four models that do best: the Batman, the Daytona, the Submariner, and the Coke. According to Rebag’s data, the Rolex Batman — which was discontinued in 2019 — holds an average value of 180% in the secondary market.