Whenever you want to buy a watch, you usually have the option to go either with a new watch or a pre-owned one. The question is, which one is the better option? As you can imagine, all of these have their own pros and cons. Here’s why you should go pre-owned and why it might be a good idea to buy a new model, depending on the situation.
BUYING NEW WATCHES
When you buy a new watch, you’re paying retail and that means it’s way more expensive when it comes to used watches. In addition, due to paying a higher price you run the risk of dealing with depreciation, and that is a real concern. Depending on the watch you want, you might have to be on a waiting list, since not all distributors will have enough stock.
That being said, you do have access to the latest materials and tech. You will also have the original packaging and accessories, those might not be available if you go for the pre-owned market. You will also not have to service it as often because the unit is new. However, for the most part you will always end up paying more and availability is scarce especially when we go towards the more expensive watches.
BUYING PRE-OWNED WATCHES
Going for pre-owned is a better idea mainly because it brings you a wider range of models to choose from. Not only that, there’s no waiting time, and depreciation is not an issue. In addition, the pre-owned market is the only place where you can access vintage movements and models, since those are not new anymore.
In addition, the pre-owned market is usually better since you will have all kinds of different manufacturers that are not available anymore. Add to that the fact that many pre-owned watch selling companies also offer warranty, and you will see why choosing pre-owned watches is actually a great idea. The fact that you don’t have to wait for a very long time and you can buy very rare models is a huge advantage.
SHOULD YOU GO PRE-OWNED OR NEW WHEN IT COMES TO WATCHES?
Some people want to buy a new watch so they can cherish and keep it for a very long time. And then we have collectors or just people that want a more affordable watch. In that case, the pre-owned market is better since you have lots of models and access to rare watches too. There will always be challenges as you try to narrow down the best type of watch to fit your needs.
However, for the most part going pre-owned will be a better option because you can spend way less money while also having access to more models. It’s all about finding a watch you like and which you can make a connection with. Both of these are a great solution, but your budget, preferences and brand-bias will usually push you towards one or the other!
