Pre-Owned Watches: Accessible Luxury?

Buying your first luxury watch is, quite rightly, a luxury. For the past few years, the pre-owned watch market has been booming, allowing seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike to start or expand their collection of timepieces. Pre-owned also means “vintage”, and the pleasure of wearing a watch that has lived a life.

In many respects, the pre-owned market is a healthier way to dress your wrist than giving in to the nauseating siren call of the counterfeit and replica market.

A Rolex with a bit of history will always have more charm than a brand-new “Ralex” fitted with a plastic movement—or, in the case of a well-made Swiss Replica, a basic ETA movement (if you’re lucky). You’ll agree that this isn’t very serious, and hardly worthy of your passion.

Beyond the advantage of saving 20 to 50% off the new price, buying pre-owned also makes it possible to track down rare watches that are no longer in production, limited editions, and so on.

Two options: buy your pre-owned luxury watch through private classified ads, or via professionals who can certify the models they sell.

If you choose to buy from a private individual, insist on the original documents and the sales certificate; ask about any work carried out on the watch, and make sure its servicing has been properly kept up.

If in doubt, it’s better to turn to a professional who will guarantee the watch’s authenticity and will also be able to advise you.

In France, there are pre-owned dealers with not only brick-and-mortar shops but also websites. Worth mentioning are Olivine Prestige, Chronographe, and my favourite, Cresus. The latter is a pioneer and the market leader.

Montres Passion did some shopping on the site—here’s what I found:

Omega Seamaster 120m

Your first dive watch! An Omega Seamaster 120m from the 1966–1970 generation. A mythical, vintage watch.

Price: €1,950

See the watch: click here

Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso Squadra Hometime

Timeless, the Reverso is a watchmaking icon. Originally developed to meet the needs of British military officers who didn’t want their timepieces damaged by the knocks inherent in playing polo, the case slides to conceal the dial.

Price: €4,500 (new: €6,100)

See the watch: click here

Rolex Daytona (Zenith Calibre)

A 1998 Rolex, chronometer-certified and fitted with a Zenith El Primero calibre.

Price: €10,500

See the watch: click here

Founded by Christian Odin, Cresus has a strong high-street presence with three boutiques (Paris, Lyon and Cannes), as well as a website offering no fewer than 500 authenticated watches from the greatest Swiss watchmaking houses, priced from €1,000 to more than €10,000.

The cherry on top: delivery is made within 48 hours—enough to satisfy the impatient—and the watches come with a one-year warranty.

Also worth noting: the Montres Passion classified ads section, to discover without delay (more than 50,000 listings): click here.