How Do You Decide Whether a Watch Should be Bought New or Used?
Hi Crunchers,
I'm pondering getting a used watch--either a Seiko SPB313 or a manually wound Nomos Club. The postings I found usually are 20-30% less than retail and from initial photos are in pretty good condition. The "discount" is making me want to buy used.
But am curious, for those who have done this before, what's been your decision-matrix of sorts for getting something used vs new?
Thank you!
--Credits to the owners of the attached photos--
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I have no problem used under $500 USD. But above $1k or highly complicated you have to factor in servicing costs, fakes, etc. which make me cautious.
Still in the catalog ➡️ I buy new
Not in the catalog ➡️ I buy used
In the US typically ADs will offer around 20-30% off new Seikos in my experience. With that in mind, I would lean towards looking for closer to a 50% off what retail would be if I were to go used.
I prefer pre-owned for any watch that suffers from poor value retention. For example, I picked up a pre-owned mint condition IWC Pilots Chrono 41 with almost all of it's warranty remaining for what worked out to be a 40% discount from list. Of course, you need to do your due diligence and make sure to buy only from trusted sellers.
Watches >US$500 are not on my radar. That said, if a used watch is <=70% the cost of a new one and is in "like new" condition, the used one will win every time.
I enjoy buying used at a discount. Of course I choose like new pieces and if I don’t like it, I sell it at no loss.
Oh and you should try the SPB313, I enjoyed it!
Picked up a lot of great microbrands and other more affordable stuff off eBay and by using the WatchRecon app.
Most expensive used model to date is my Arken Instrumentum. Seeing as how it was a very limited offering, from a relatively obscure micro, the only option was to wait for a used model.
The watch maker/repair shop I go for service near my parents house, has several vintage Tudor Subs, and one day one might follow me home.
Long story short, I have ZERO issues buying used, even luxury stuff.
The last three watches I purchased were preowned. As others have noted, I too prefer buying from dealers opposed to private sellers if the watch is over ~$500 but it’s not a hard rule. In terms of sourcing preowned from ADs, I have purchased from Exquisite Timepieces and DavidSW with no issues. I also like Topper for clearance plus the used inventory. Made my first preowned purchase via Chrono24. I was able to chat which the dealer and received a good price for a watch I had my eye on for a while. Good luck.
Watches >US$500 are not on my radar. That said, if a used watch is <=70% the cost of a new one and is in "like new" condition, the used one will win every time.
This is where I am with the Seiko SPB313. I'll definitely do my due diligence with it. Thanks for answering!
Oh and you should try the SPB313, I enjoyed it!
It does seem like a winner. It's one of those watches that you have to try in person to get the appeal. I did and was won over. But couldn't justify the retail price for these new Seiko divers just yet 😬