Wanna score an awesome luxury watch?

Because most of the luxury watch industry is limited to only a few brands and usually their top models, finding a reputable used watch retailer is a challenge.

However, if you are in the market for a rare, secondhand Rolex, you will find it much easier to shop at these top used watch retailers.

What to watch for (pun intended)

Before you buy a used timepiece, it’s important to know what to look for. If you’re looking for a high-end watch, and you want it for work, then you’ll need to keep these tips in mind.

Check the label

Many vintage watches feature a manufacturer’s mark or watermark. However, you should always make sure that the watch is still in warranty before you buy. If the seller mentions a warranty, make sure you read all of the fine print. Otherwise, you could be on the hook for any problems.

Check for scratches or other signs of wear

If you are buying a watch in the condition you’re selling it in, be aware that it might not look as new as it did when you bought it.

Brands, brands, brands

What should you be looking for when buying a Rolex, Patek Philippe, or other luxury watches?

To answer this question, we looked at a number of different consignment sites and chose those that have some of the best reviews.

As you’ll see, purchasing a cheap used luxury watch from a consignment store or a pawnshop can be a frustrating experience. Many of the models we looked at have been refurbished multiple times.

Some are missing parts or parts of them have been covered with aftermarket parts. The refurbishing process will likely not be completed until the watches are sold.

Many of the luxury watch brands we looked at such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Omega will accept listings from different people at different times.

While this may appear to be a benefit, it can actually be a disadvantage.

You will end up with someone who has a love for the brand who has bought used models from the store at one time or another and is offering them for sale.

But they may also have worked on them before hand, some of which may not be in good shape.

This is why the reviews from different watch lovers on sites such as RolexWatchWatchSearch and PreciousWatchReview are vital. The better reviews you get, the more likely you are to purchase a truly mint condition vintage Rolex, Patek Philippe, or Omega timepiece.

Bennisson Watches

Bennisson Watches is the best way to acquire any vintage Rolex watch in the United States.

If you are shopping for a slightly older vintage Rolex, this authentic establishment buys and sell watches is now located in Palm Beach, Florida.

The Palm Beach Rolex locations also handle vintage Rolex watches with stainless steel cases, which are produced in higher quantities than the steel case watches.

Furthermore, the used Rolex stores in Florida have exclusive vintage Rolex sellers such as Royal Crown Enterprises, Rolex Dayton-Hewitt and Official Rolex distributors in the U.S.

Only one of the four manufacturers can sell on a store’s website, but a few stores have different websites which will allow you to find their used Rolex and stainless steel models.

If you are looking for a nice Rolex with a rubber strap, then you will be disappointed because you will find the Rolex models in the Southeast with the best prices are steel wrist watches.

Nordstrom

The Nordstrom Watch Department carries the full line of lux watches.

They carry all Rolex models and the majority of Rolex models that are not on the Nordstrom.com website.

Given that Nordstrom has a pretty solid half-yearly sale, and the fact that there are Nordstroms in pretty much every major city, this isn't a bad place to go if you're in the market for a watch.

Brighton

Brighton Watch Store is one of the largest Rolex watch stores in the United States. Brighton has been providing American and international customers the opportunity to buy a Rolex watch for over 15 years.

The company has the largest inventory of vintage Rolex models in the United States.

The majority of Rolex models in Brighton are from vintage stock. In addition to vintage Rolex models, they also carry a large inventory of Rolex watches from a few of their branded manufactures.

When to buy used luxury watches

While it might be tempting to save a couple hundred bucks by purchasing a used watch at a thrift store or consignment shop, you should know the pros and cons before you make a purchase.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re getting a product that hasn’t been recalled or modified to a lesser quality.

Buying from a Designer or Watchmaker

Now that you know when to buy a used watch, let’s take a look at some of the best places to purchase them.

With Rolex, there are many places where you can find a used Rolex watch online.

If you search eBay for “Rolex,” you can usually find a few hundred dollars worth of used watches. Some watches will come with a warranty, and others won’t. You can also compare options in the same brand.

If you’re interested in purchasing a used Patek Philippe, consider the Chrono24 site, or the Singletrack watch brand, which allows you to buy a used Patek Philippe for just a few hundred dollars.

Patek Philippe is one of the most respected watchmakers in the world, and you can find a used Patek for around $10,000. Some of the watches you can find there are used, and others are not.

Keep in mind that if the watch you are purchasing is not fully authentic, the seller might not be liable for any defects. That said, you might want to take a closer look at the seller’s track record. Patek has never been linked to any issues with counterfeit or faulty timepieces.

Buying a used Swiss watch

If you want a new Rolex or Patek Philippe, you can find them at your local retailer. However, if you’re interested in a used Swiss watch, your best bet is to do a little online research first. You can usually find the same watch, but in a less expensive version (usually for less than $100).

Swiss watches are usually built with an in-house automatic movement, which means they will be fully warranty protected.

If you want a used timepiece, your best bet is to look for a vintage or pre-owned version from a reputable watchmaker.

For example, you can find a used Patek Philippe, or you can go to a used watch shop which allows you to buy a refurbished Patek Philippe for about $10,000, but with a limited warranty (which lasts only a few years).

This article will discuss the best types of stores for buying used luxury watches like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and more.

Looking to buy a Rolex for your dad this Father’s Day? Or a Patek Philippe for your boyfriend’s dad?

While many watch lovers dream about purchasing a rare, out-of-print Rolex or Patek Philippe piece, not everyone has the funds to do so.

But they do have the option of purchasing a vintage Rolex or Patek Philippe watch from a consignment store such as Pawn Stars or Vegas Gold or the likes.

However, most of the consignment watches you’ll find at these types of stores are either very cheap or complete junk. They may be the ones you find advertised on eBay or Craigslist, but they usually won’t be in pristine condition.

Goodwill

I'll bet you didn't expect this to appear on our list.

Goodwill sells an array of used watches, as well as clothes and other items.

Sometimes, if someone thinks a watch is fake, they'll give it away for free thinking it's worthless.

There is a very slight chance that the owner (nor the store) will not realize that the piece is actually real, in which case you might be able to score a legit luxury watch for almost no money.

Just keep in mind that when purchasing a used watch at a store or thrift store, they may not be in pristine condition.

Also, be aware of the warranty and legal implications of purchasing from a retailer. It’s also important to know that many used watch resale websites like Go Watch and Yahoo Auctions operate with third parties for business, which might compromise your warranty or give you limited rights to the watch after purchase.

Analog Shift

Analog Shift is an authorized retailer of Rolex watches since 2004 and they also are a Luxury Lifestyle company.

They sell watches of many high-end manufacturers like Breitling, Harry Winston and Hublot.

The brand of Rolex watches that they carry are the same as the brands of watches that Reliable Watch sells. Their store is also one of the larger used Rolex retailers, the store in Eau Claire, Wisconsin has an inventory of all Rolex models that you will find at any of their stores.