WHY WATCHES DON’T HOLD THEIR VALUE

THINK YOUR WRIST WATCH IS WORTH SOMETHING? THINK AGAIN...

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Richard Scott

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It’s true…

Watches don’t hold their value.

You’ll find this out if you ever try to sell your watches back to the jeweler… They’ll give you nothing for them.

This is because they are worn, scratched, plated, fading, loose, used…

They can’t be resold!

Unlike jewelry that can be polished up again and made to look new; watches can’t.

You can’t polish them up (unless they’re stainless steel). The gold plating is coming off, it’s eroded, the hinges are worn, the buckle dented, nicked, dirty.

In other words, there’s nothing you can do with them. It doesn’t matter if the watch is a $600 Movado. It’s used. You won’t get a penny for it.

Jewelers don’t want to buy them back, they don’t need them or want them (which is why you should never wear a watch if you get it as a gift and don’t like it. If you scratch the watch, buckle, bracelet, you can’t return it). Customers would never buy a wrist watch that’s scratched up. That’s why jewelry stores only buy gold and diamonds (not even gemstones). Gold and diamonds can be repurposed and resold (at estate pricing).

But, nonetheless, there are some exceptions.

Watches that do hold their value:

There are some wrist watches that do hold their value, even after wear and tear (which is usually 20-50% of the retail value). Watches that are made better, stronger, quality watches like: Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Breguet, Patek Philippe, Hublot, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Breitling, to name a few.

These watches can be refurbished and resold. People love them (and are willing to own a used one at a discount).

Watches that don’t hold their value:

For everyday, name brand (Seiko, Citizen, Bulova, Pulsar…), base metal, plated, common, inexpensive watches, there is no hope.

Your best best at selling these is to find a friend or family member who is willing to buy them. That, or a garage sale. But don’t hold your breath, for you can buy inexpensive watches at Walmart for $10, and watches on Amazon for just 1 penny.

That may be the only way that time equals money.

Cheers! :)