Is My Old Watch Worth Anything?
You have found an old watch in a drawer. Maybe it was your grandfather’s, or you picked it up at an auction years ago. Is it worth anything, or is it just a nice-looking timepiece with a dead battery?
The answer depends on a few things. Here is how to work out whether you might be sitting on something valuable.
Brand Matters - a Lot
Some watch brands hold their value far better than others. If the dial says any of the following, it is worth having properly assessed:
- Rolex - even a 30-year-old Rolex in poor condition can be worth thousands
- Omega - Seamaster and Speedmaster models are particularly sought after
- Tudor - Rolex’s sister brand, increasingly collectible
- Jaeger-LeCoultre - especially Reverso and Memovox models
- IWC, Breitling, Longines - all have strong collector followings
- Heuer (pre-TAG) - vintage chronographs are highly prized
Even lesser-known Swiss brands like Eterna, Zenith, or Universal Geneve can have significant value in the right models.
Pocket Watches
Don’t overlook pocket watches. Quality examples by makers like Waltham, Elgin, or any of the Swiss houses can be valuable. Gold-cased pocket watches have both metal value and collector value. Hallmarked 18ct gold cases alone can be worth several hundred pounds before you even consider the movement.
Key things that add value to pocket watches:
- Gold or silver case - check for hallmarks on the inside of the back cover
- Complications - repeaters, chronographs, or moon phases
- Named dials - watches retailed by a named jeweller can carry a premium
- Original box and papers - always increases value
Condition Is Not Everything
Unlike many collectibles, a watch in poor cosmetic condition can still be valuable. Collectors care more about the movement (the mechanism inside) than scratches on the case. A rusty dial that looks terrible to you might actually be desirable to a collector as a “tropical” dial.
That said, complete watches with original parts are worth more than those with replacement components. If a Rolex has had its dial replaced, or an Omega has a non-original crown, the value drops.
What About Quartz Watches?
Most quartz (battery-powered) watches have limited resale value. There are exceptions - certain vintage Omega quartz models, early Seiko quartz pieces, and some fashion watches with brand cachet. But generally, if it takes a battery and it is not by a major Swiss maker, it is unlikely to be worth much.
Mechanical watches (the ones you wind or that wind themselves as you wear them) are almost always more collectible.
How to Get Your Watch Valued
Start by taking a few clear photos of the dial, the caseback (including any engravings or serial numbers), and, if you can safely do so, the movement. Contact us with those details and we can often tell whether it looks worth a closer look before you post anything.
For a formal valuation, request a free postal pack and send it to us. We will inspect the watch properly, check the details that affect resale value, and give you a clear assessment.