If you know that at some point in the future you may want to sell your watch, keeping it in top condition will ensure you get the best resale price possible. The market for pre-loved luxury watches is always best for those timepieces that have been cosseted and cared for like new-born babies. When the time comes and you're asking yourself where to sell my watch, you'll know your timepiece is in the best possible condition.
Protect Your Watch
Don't wear it during sporting activities or at any time when it may be damaged through scratches or knocks to the face or case. It may sound like common sense, but when you're used to wearing a watch it's easy to forget you have it on until it's too late.
Service Your Watch
At its most basic level, a watch is a delicate piece of machinery and as such is subject to wear and tear during its life just like anything else that relies on moving parts. Every few years, send it off to a reputable and authorised service centre for a service. It will be dismantled and cleaned before reassembly, ensuring that it will remain in perfect working order.
If you own a vintage watch, get specialist advice before sending it for maintenance or servicing. The service process may actually cause depreciation in the value rather than enhancing it.
Keep the Original Packaging
Provenance is important with high-end watches, just as it is with many other items of high value such as antiques. Valuable luxury watches have their own certificates or original documentation which details such important information as the date of manufacture, the serial number, the original dealer and any other details that may be pertinent to the individual watch.
Having the original boxes and certificates ensures the history of your watch is traceable, thus helping it to maintain its value should you wish to sell it.
Buy Carefully
Sometimes individuals buy watches as investments. If you buy a watch knowing that at some time in the future you will want to cash in on your investment, make sure you buy wisely to begin with. Choose the highest value metal you can, which means your first choice would be platinum, followed by white gold, rose gold, yellow gold and finally stainless steel. Watches made entirely from precious metals, including the band, will generally be worth more than those made with leather or other man-made elements.
Remember that some older watches made from base metals can have a rarity value and so be worth more than you might think.
And finally, before selling do your homework. Shop around, get a few quotes and only do business with reputable dealers who understand the luxury watch market.
