5 reasons you should buy a pre-owned luxury watch

Given basically every gadget you own now has a clock built in, the motivation for wearing a watch has changed. Back in the day you might have strapped a budget Casio to your wrist so you wouldn’t miss your morning meeting or forget to pick the kids up from school but in an era where basically everything tells the time, watches are much more of an aesthetic choice than a functional one. The watch you wear is an expression of your individuality or style, which is why generic, mass-market brands might no longer cut it.

Does that mean you should just drop as much as you can on a watch? Of course not. A Rolex might suit your colleague to a T and yet its style may leave you feeling cold. But the watch market is perhaps more diverse than it’s ever been and that means you can be sure there’s a top-quality timepiece out there that’s perfect for you.

Need more convincing why you should consider buying a pre-owned luxury watch? Here are just five of the best reasons to pick one up.

Buying a pre-owned luxury watch gives you better quality for your money

Okay. We admit we’re stating the obvious here. But luxury watches tend to be better quality than their cheaper counterparts – as long as you know how to steer clear of fakes. Not only do luxury watches tend to be crafted out of higher quality, more durable materials but their movements represent the culmination of centuries of horological engineering. As a result, not only do they have a much more substantial premium feel on your wrist, they offer precision timekeeping that you can really count on.

"Ensuring the authenticity of a pre-owned watch is a must when making a purchase, especially as new consumer research shows that watches count for 14% of counterfeit sales in the UK," says Arjen van de Vall, CEO of Watchfinder & Co. "If looking to buy a pre-owned timepiece, be sure to only make a purchase from reputable retailers that authenticate their products as standard. At Watchfinder & Co. we pride ourselves on a stringent 60-step authentication process that has been developed and built-up over 21 years of specialist experience. By purchasing from specialist trusted retailers, obtaining original paperwork, and seeking expert advice, you can be confident in your pre-owned purchase and safeguard yourself against counterfeit models."

You're buying a watch that is built to last

Naturally, this focus on top-quality materials and meticulous engineering means pre-owned luxury watches will stand the test of time. While the fast-fashion ethos of mass-market brands means their watches rarely outlive most outfits, when properly cared for a luxury timepiece will last for decades. And that same build quality will make it much easier to maintain and service, keeping it ticking for many years to come.

You can build a collection

But just because you can count on your wristwear for much longer, that doesn’t mean you should feel restricted to owning just one luxury watch. Part of the joy of purchasing pre-owned luxury timepieces is that they’re highly collectable – there’s nothing like the thrill of expanding your collection with a seriously covetable Jaeger-LeCoultre or highly exclusive Rolex. And getting to assemble and show off your dream squad of select timepieces is irresistible.

Pre-owned luxury watches offer a better price

So we’re likely preaching to the converted here: chances are you’re already sold on buying a luxury watch. But why should you pick up a pre-owned model? The most obvious reason is cost. In the current economic climate, few of us exactly have money to burn so your best bet of nabbing yourself a bargain on a Blancpain is to purchase something pre-owned. On the flip side, luxury watches don’t always lose their value quite like other products so if you ever decide to part with one, you’ll potentially get a good amount of your investment back in return.

Pre-owned luxury watches let you pick up limited editions

How many times have you had your eye on an exclusive piece of wrist candy only to discover too late its limited run has already been snapped up by other collectors? The nice thing about buying pre-owned watches is that you can get another bite of the apple – resales give you that extra chance to grab limited edition watches you missed the first time round. And often that additional scarcity makes them an even more desirable part of your collection, as you can be fairly sure there will be very few other instances on the market at any one time.

"Choice in the pre-owned luxury watch sector has never been greater," explains Arjen van de Vall, CEO of Watchfinder & Co. "Each year, more and more watch enthusiasts are recognising trusted pre-owned specialists, like Watchfinder & Co., as the best route to access more unique stock for their collections. It’s easy to pick up limited or collectors editions in the CPO industry as it opens up a far wider selection of watches, both old and new. Shopping pre-owned provides you with unprecedented access to some otherwise unobtainable pieces, including limited editions, cult classics and even current best sellers that can be impossible access due to lengthy waiting lists."

Convinced that a pre-owned luxury watch is the right purchase for you? Fortunately, there are plenty of places to by high-end timepieces. While you can buy direct from sellers or find resellers on the high street, pre-owned luxury watch specialists like Watchfinder & Co. make picking up high-end watches a breeze and offer greater protections from counterfeit timepieces or manufacturing defects.