These are the questions we hear most often at our Madison Avenue showroom in Midtown Manhattan from people selling a watch for the first time. If your question is not answered below, call us or come in. Every appraisal is free and carries no obligation to sell.
We read the watch in front of you and explain each step, so you can see how the offer is built before you decide anything. For the watch you are holding, the quickest route is the page written for it: a Rolex, a Patek Philippe, an Audemars Piguet, a Richard Mille, another luxury watch, or an everyday or vintage watch.
Call for a free appraisal, or visit our Madison Avenue showroom in Midtown Manhattan with your watch.
Questions people ask
Is the appraisal really free?
Yes. We appraise your watch at no charge and with no obligation to sell. Bring it to our Madison Avenue showroom in Midtown Manhattan, we read and look it over in front of you, explain what we see, and give you a number. If you decide the offer is not for you, you take your watch home. There is no fee for the visit.
Do I need an appointment?
You are welcome to walk in during showroom hours, and most sellers do. If you are bringing a high-value piece or a collection of several watches, it helps to call ahead so we can set aside time to go through everything properly with you. Either way there is no charge and no pressure to sell once you arrive. You can reach the showroom from our contact page.
How do you decide what to pay for a watch?
We identify the exact watch by its make, model and reference number, check the serial, and look over the case, dial, crystal, bezel and bracelet and whether it runs. We weigh in the box and papers, the condition, current demand for the model, and any gold or platinum in the case. Then we explain how we reached the number before we make an offer. Our luxury watch buyers page goes through it in detail.
Do I need the box and papers to sell?
No, but they help. The original box, the warranty card, the purchase receipt and any service records prove what the watch is and show how it was cared for, so a complete set raises the offer and makes the watch easier to resell. Without them we still buy the watch; the offer simply reflects what is present. An honest buyer explains the difference rather than refusing the piece.
How quickly do I get paid?
Once you accept the offer, you are paid on the spot, before you leave the showroom. We read the watch while you watch, walk you through the number, and settle it during the same visit. There is nothing to mail and no waiting for a check to clear if you prefer cash. For a single watch the whole process usually takes only a short time at the counter.
Will you pay in cash?
Yes, we pay cash. That is the heart of what we do: you bring in a watch, we agree on a price, and you leave with cash in hand. If you would rather be paid another way for a large sum, tell us and we will work out what suits you. There is never any obligation to sell, so you can take the offer or take your watch home.
Do I need to bring ID?
Yes, bring a valid government photo ID. New York City law requires any dealer that buys second-hand watches and precious metals to record the seller’s name, address and a description, along with the item and the date, so a photo ID is needed to complete a purchase. This protects honest sellers and is standard at every licensed buyer in the city. You can read the rules for a second-hand dealer license at the City’s site.
Why is there a short hold before items are resold?
New York City law requires a second-hand dealer to keep a purchased item for 15 days before it can be resold. The hold is a consumer protection written into the City’s Administrative Code, not a delay in paying you. You are still paid in full on the day you sell. The waiting period sits with us, not with you, and gives the city a window to trace any item reported lost or stolen.
Are you a dealer for Rolex or the other brands?
No. We are an independent buyer, not a dealer for Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille or any other brand, and not connected to them. We buy watches from the public and value each one on its own merits. Because we buy directly with no middleman, a specialist like us can often pay more than a shop that resells on your behalf. Brand names appear here only to describe the watches we buy.
Can you buy a watch that has no box or papers?
Yes. The original box and papers help prove a luxury watch’s history and can lift the offer, but a watch is still worth buying without them. What we need first is the make, the model and reference number and the serial, which identify the exact piece, then we look at its condition. Scratches, a worn bracelet or a faded dial affect the price. See luxury watch buyers for high-end brands, or sell my watch for everything else.
Do you buy watches that are not running?
Yes. A watch does not have to run for us to make an offer. A non-running luxury watch may still carry strong value in its make, and a non-running gold watch still carries the value of its metal. We look it over in front of you and explain whether the offer rests on the watch or on the gold in the case, and what a service would involve.
Is my gold watch worth only its metal?
Not always. A watch in solid gold has a floor set by the metal, which trades against a published spot price per troy ounce by weight and purity. For a sought after brand the watch is worth more whole than melted, so we value the make first and treat the metal as the floor. For a plain gold dress or pocket watch, the metal may be the main value. We weigh both and offer on whichever is higher. See sell my watch for gold and vintage pieces.
Is there any pressure to sell?
No. You can bring your watch in, hear what we would pay, and walk out with it if the number is not right for you. We read the watch in front of you and explain each step so the offer makes sense, but the decision is always yours. Many people come in simply to learn what a watch is worth. You are never charged for an appraisal and never pushed to close a sale.
What should I bring to the showroom?
Bring the watch you want to sell and a valid photo ID. If you have them, the box, the warranty card, the receipt, any service records and spare links or straps are useful, though none are required. There is no need to clean, polish or wind the watch first; we go through it with you at the counter. If you are not sure what you have, our sell my watch page is a good starting point.