Pre-Owned vs New Watches – Which One Should You Buy?

In this Watch Your Style video, Eric Rivera tackles a popular question luxury watch customers ask when they call our Miami store: Should I buy new or used?

Even though every customer is different – each with his or her own unique taste in watches – Eric provides his advice based on his extensive experience in the watch industry.

He also compares a pre owned vs. new Rolex Yacht-Master II in the video and explains the advantages, disadvantages and unique characteristics of each.

At the start of the video, Eric explains that the difference in price between a typical new and used high end watch is between one to two-thousand dollars. The difference in price is one of the three factors Eric suggests should be considered to determine which is a better option for you: pre-owned or new.

3 Factors to Determine if You Should Buy a New vs Used Watch

1) Watch Dealer's Reputation – Before buying a preowned or new watch, a customer must consider the reputation of the dealer. The last thing a customer should do is purchase a pre-owned Rolex or any other model from a dealer who is not trustworthy. One way to determine the reputation of the dealer is to look at their reviews on the Internet.

2) Second on Eric's list of important factors to determine whether to buy pre owned or new is the condition of the watch. Eric explains that in order for him to choose pre-owned over new, the watch has to be in “like-new” condition; otherwise, it wouldn't make sense.

3) The third and last factor Eric considers in the new-vs-used debate is Price. As he mentions multiple times throughout his video, used watches (in like-new condition) are normally a few thousand dollars lower in price than their respective newer versions. This obviously makes them very attractive to budget conscious customers or buyers that just like getting the best deal possible.

An important instance, Eric explains, when some customers might be better off buying pre-owned watches instead of brand new ones is when they plan to trade in their watches often.

Eric uses himself as an example. Often times, he likes to buy a high end watch (for example, a stainless Yacht-Master II), wear it for a while, and then trade it in to get something different (for example, a gold Submariner). In order to minimize the amount of money that he may lose in a trade in, Eric prefers to buy pre owned watches in like-new condition. This is great advice for those who get bored of their watches quickly and want to make a new fashion statement often!

Another important topic Eric discusses is the warranty card that may or may not come with a watch.

Eric explains that new watches come with a plastic warranty card from the manufacturer, as highlighted on the video with the Rolex Yacht-Master II.

Unfortunately, many times when the original buyer of a new watch decides to sell it, he or she does not turn in the warranty card. This may be for privacy reasons, since the card shows the information of the seller, or just because the seller lost or forgot to bring the card with him or her. As Eric explains, this does not mean that the watch is fake.

He goes on to explain that when a preowned watch does not come with a card, it is not a deal breaker for him, since the watch still carries the warranty of a trustworthy dealer (if you followed Eric's advice when you bought it!).

Even though Eric does feel like pre-owned luxury watches are typically the more attractive buy, the decision to buy a new or used watch is a matter of opinion and preference.

If you found this video helpful, please remember to like it and share it with your friends. Also remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay up to date with our Watch Your Style series.

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[eddielewis]

Put the music down please I could barely hear u great video

[fxscalper]

Not sure why anyone would buy a new over a used Rolex watch after watching your video Eric. Great job and very informative. You guys have a unique niche going on with these watch videos. It's a breath of fresh air compared to all the overly complicated YouTube video reviews on watches out there. I want practical advice on watches and opinions about what you recommend. I don't plan to become a watch Engineer. Way to keep it real!

[bugattisteve]

Have always bought pre owned. Get the watch the watch serviced/overhauled by the manufacturer then you get a watch with warranty again and as new condition.

[Guireles]

Eric, believe me, you really have given me confidence after watching most of your videos, especially this one, to buy my next watch with CRM Jewerlers. Best from Querétaro, México!

[DavidRodriguez-cidm]

the best channel educating me as a first time watch buyer and it will be from your store for sure.

[miguelsaman]

Was a pleasure meet you over the phone today thank you for your help

[snipeyoass]

Warrantee cards are extremely important to match the serial # to the case and lugs. The name on the back is irrelevant, but the date on it is not. 1, if the watch was sold to you under someone else's name, the warrantee is still open and you can get repairs by rolex if need be. 2, The authorized dealer will always ask for the warrantee card in this case to send the watch to a Rolex Service Center. The warrantee card will also have the original authorized Rolex Jeweler where the watch was purchased from on the back. If that jeweler is a large company with many stores, you can bring the watch to one of them with the warrantee card and they can sometimes service it in house for you by a authorized Rolex technician. From a private selling standpoint, the card wether it matters or not, will hit you from 300-500$.

[ReallyNiceRecords]

great video i like your style of music
you cant really go wrong with deadmau5

[IntroduceForex]

Excellent explanation on how to make an Educated watch purchase.
I agree with your 3 Factors. Reputable Dealer, Condition, Price. So true!
Thanks Eric for the Great Video.

[SandraMarcelin]

Great video on new versus used Eric. I'm always learning something new about watches from your series.

[glickswatches]

Thanks for sharing this with us and making it public, agree with a lot you say - Thanks!

[sasohal]

subscribed bc I like the info no one else really shares in videos

[artofutube]

Great videos thabk you.
BUT!!! PLEASE turn off the music

[mishacalifornia]

Hey may be this question was asked before but what sunglasses you are wearing Eric? Really like them.

[baowong]

What should I choose between Rootbeer 2019 ( 16k) or Sub 2 tone 2019 (11k) ? Thank you in advance!

[mauricemaurice]

If you're only saving 1k on a used rolex why not always but new?

[CapitanoA]

Obviously depends on the piece, for the ones that sell above retail, if you can get it new at retail price, you'd be crazy if let that go.

[lane]

I feel like getting a pre-owned watch depending on the price, under $30, 000 ( retail ), more than $30, 000 ( pre-owned )

[bobd]

The warranty card does not "just apply to the person who bought the watch". The warranty is fully transferable to the new owner.

[_.DM._]

I couldn't wait for your new videos! Really like them. Please upload more and more.