Do you own a high-end wristwatch? If so, you are truly expressing your luxurious lifestyle and artistry of the design. Watch brands like Cartier or Rolex are immensely popular among the people and are regarded as status symbols. The pieces are designed with a combination of craftsmanship and technical skills. The individual resale value of every piece varies to a large extent.
Now you must be wondering if that is the case, how much is my watch worth? Well, there is not one pre-defined factor that impacts the watch value, but plenty of them. Here we have come up with such factors that will speed up the process of knowing the worth of your watch. Let’s get started.
Factors That Determine the Watch Value
Evaluate the Condition of Your Watch
The condition of the watch is the supreme factor in answering how much is my watch worth. Your watch is a priceless and delicate possession that can cause damage to its numerous mechanics, if not handled correctly. And you don’t want to get its luxurious value diminished, right? Getting it regularly serviced will give you the power to sell it at a higher price. So, take it for regular servicing to keep it intact and increase its value.
Furthermore, find the answers to the questions like – Is there any missing part in your watch? Has it been altered at any point with aftermarket parts? All this will help in evaluating the value of your watch and hence getting its best price.
Brand and Reference Number
Watch market value of a branded piece is more than any generic brand. Some brands having popularity amongst the crowd are – Rolex, Cartier, Audemars Piguet, Chopard, and Patek Philippe. Knowing the reference number also helps to identify the watch model as a whole. It helps in getting information like the type of watch, dial, and material.
Utilize the Box and Papers
The value of an old watch becomes manifold if you have kept its packaging safe and maintained. The warranty papers of the watch should be correctly filled by the issuers. It makes it easy to determine the watch’s value when you decide to sell it. The original documentation has a major role that adds a huge 20-50% to your second-hand watch price. It explains that your watch is authentic.
Age and Rarity
Age and rarity can make a big impact on a watch value. Collectors can give a great value for vintage timepieces, particularly ones that are no longer manufactured. A watch’s value and appeal can be increased by limited production runs or distinctive features.
Materials and Craftsmanship
A watch’s value can be greatly affected by the materials used in it, such as gold, platinum, or diamonds. Furthermore, the watch’s value may increase due to the intricate and well-made movement and additional features like tourbillons or chronographs.
How to Determine the Value of Your Watch?
When determining the value of a vintage watch, leveraging online resources is a crucial step. Here are some key areas to focus on:
Research
Research the brand, model, and market trends of your watch first. To obtain information, consult price guides, auction results, and internet forums. Chrono24 and WatchBox are two websites that offer insights into current market pricing.
Auction sites
The pricing on the auction sites is based on past transactions. But you should know about the buyer’s premium in the case of winning bid. It will give you an idea about the worth of your possession
Dealers
Real inventory is quite challenging to find on the websites of the dealers. They use stock images that manufacturers provide them and use them for watches they don’t have in stock. This is the reason that you should not put your trust in the asking prices for watches with “stock” photos.
Market Trends
Pay attention to prevailing market trends. The demand from collectors, prevailing economic situations, and fashion trends can all affect the value of timepieces. Knowing these characteristics will enable you to choose the ideal selling time.
Expert Evaluation
To accurately evaluate your watch value, you must consult with a professional watch appraiser. A professional appraiser can assess your watch based on its condition, rarity, and market demand and give you the best possible price. This task can be daunting for many, but DJP Diamonds is here to help. Our professional watch experts will review your watch by researching its history, authenticate the case, dial and movement and let you give the most accurate and best appraisal price for it.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Watch
Maintenance and Care
Maintain your watch’s best condition by giving it regular maintenance and taking care of any problems right away. Its value can also be preserved by treating and storing it properly.
Proper Documentation
Keep track of all service records, certificates, and invoices. These documents provide proof of authenticity and increase its marketability.
Timing the Sale
When choosing to sell, consider trends and market conditions into account. Strategic timing may help you get the best deal on your watch.
Conclusion
The above factors will help you determine the value of your watch. By considering brand, condition, rarity, and market trends, you can gain a clear picture of your watch’s worth. It will help you decide whether to sell your watch or not. If you need a seamless and reliable appraisal, consult with professionals like DJP Diamonds. You will definitely have a happy experience with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are retro watches worth any money?
Get your watch formally appraised with the help of professional jewelers. They will research your timepiece well and will let you know its true value. If you have a proper box, reference number, and serial number of the watch and everything is kept in good condition, you are definitely going to get a good amount of money.
What watches hold the most value?
Luxurious watch from the brands like Rolex, Cartier, Omega, Breitling, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and Jager LeCoultre holds the most value.
How can you tell if a watch is vintage?
If your watch is real and vintage, check its serial number on the case and bracelet. Both of them should be exactly similar. Sometimes, you can find the serial number on a sticker behind the dial. This will tell you if your watch is vintage and real or not.
What age is a watch considered vintage?
The watches that are at least 20 years old are classified as vintage pieces.
What makes a watch a collectible?
Several reasons make people want to invest their money in luxurious items like watches. If you keep your watch maintained for many years, its value might appreciate over time and it also doesn’t take up a lot of space. If the originality, model, metal condition, and functionality of the watch are top-notch, it is advisable to treat it as a collectible. Hence, branded watches definitely come under collectibles.
