Watch Sources
You’re ready. You’ve done your research, looked at more watches than you can count, and narrowed it down to the one (hopefully with the help of your watch consultant but no hard feelings if you want to go at it alone). Now all you need is to do is find it. Perhaps in the past you would walk into a store and exchange your hard-earned money for a shiny new watch. However, in the current luxury watch market, that course of action is either nearly impossible or ill-advised. The former is true because the most sought after brand (i.e. Rolex) is perennially sold out and you will need a special relationship with an Authorized Dealer (the stores that receive new watches directly from the factory) to have the opportunity to buy a new watch. In addition, purchasing most watches new is likely not the best choice because you will instantly lose thousands of dollars in value when your credit card is swiped. Like a new car when you drive it off the lot, your now-used watch is worth much less on the secondary market. While that may not matter you and you may prefer to buy new, it’s also worth considering that in the modern era we are spoiled for choice. There are now at least 60 years of “everyday” watches in circulation that range from vintage (pre-1990s) to modern, so why limit yourself to just the newest watches in the display case. Below we provide our favorite secondary-market stores for buying watches. Please note that we have no relationship or referral deals with these companies. They are simply great, trustworthy places to find a pre-owned or vintage watch.
THE BIG BOYS - Well-oiled machines for buying and selling watches
Crown and Caliber - with an extensive inventory of mostly modern watches, CC is a great source for finding a watch or just exploring what’s out there. While their prices tend to be on the higher side, all of their watches are checked by watchmakers and come with a one-year warranty.
Bob’s Watches - Bob’s mostly specializes in new Rolex, but they have a large inventory of Panerai, Omega, IWC, and other large Swiss brands. Like CC, they tend to charge more than other places.
The Watchbox - Watchbox sells pretty much every brand out there, most of which are modern. What really makes them stand out is their collection of extremely high-end and independent brands such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, De Bethune, A. Lange and Sohne, and FP Journe.
SMALL BUT MIGHTY - Smaller inventories than the Big Boys but same quality
European Watch Co. - Though a smaller company than Watchbox, EWC’s collection is similar in that they sell mostly modern watches from the mainstream Swiss brands as well as extremely rare and expensive timepieces. EWC also has a physical store in Boston if you’re in town and want to see something in person.
OC Watch Guy - Another great source for finding mostly new and some vintage watches from the big Swiss brands. Their photography is also top-notch, and they have physical store in the LA-area.
WannaBuyaWatch - WBaW has a long history of selling a variety of cool vintage watches online and in their store in Los Angeles. Their inventory consists of fun and rare vintage watches from long-gone brands such as Universal Geneve and Enicar as well as Cartier, Tudor, Zodiac, and others.
THE ROLEX GUYS - If you’re looking for a vintage Rolex, this is the place
HQ Milton - Buying a vintage Rolex is a tricky proposition as minor details can swing the value of the watch tens of thousands of dollars. HQ Milton has been in the game for a long time, so they can accurately assess and price a vintage Rolex. Their inventory also contains modern Rolex and other brands.
Tropical Watch - A former co-owner of HQ Milton, the proprietor of Tropical Watch recently formed his own shop and sells mostly Rolex but also Tudor, AP, and Patek, among others.
Disclaimer: These are all reputable dealers that only sell authentic, well-functioning watches. That being said, it is up to the buyer to know the right questions to ask to ensure the watch is a “good buy.” These dealers and most others are unlikely to publicly disclose certain details like over polishing and replaced service parts, which can dramatically swing the value of a watch. Also, some watches are just overpriced.