We Buy Fine Watches and Gold Watches
At JewelRecycle, we purchase both wristwatches and pocket watches, which typically fall into one of two categories:
- Watches purchased for their precious metal content
- Luxury watches purchased for their collector or resale value, regardless of metal content
Watches Purchased for Precious Metal Value
Some vintage watches—particularly those made by brands like Bulova, Elgin, Gruen, Hamilton, and Waltham—are typically bought for their gold or platinum content. We also purchase gold-filled watches, which contain a layer of gold bonded to a base metal and still hold some value. Some of the above watches may have collectors value, but it is usually eclipsed by the metal value.
We purchase:
- Solid gold watches (typically 10k, 14k, or 18k)
- Platinum watches
- Gold-filled watches
Before any major testing or disassembly, our team will provide you with an initial estimate based on the watch’s metal content. If you approve the estimate, we’ll conduct any necessary testing or disassembly in your presence to determine the final value and complete the purchase.
Luxury Watches Purchased for Collector Value
We also purchase luxury brand watches that retain value due to their exceptional craftsmanship, brand prestige, and desirability among collectors. These watches may be made of gold, stainless steel, or other materials—their value often lies in the watch itself rather than the metal.
We frequently purchase watches from the following brands:
- A. Lange & Söhne
- Audemars Piguet
- Breitling
- Bovet Fleurier
- Breguet
- Cartier
- Chopard
- Girard-Perregaux
- Glashütte Original
- IWC (International Watch Company)
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Omega
- Patek Philippe
- Piaget
- Rolex
- TAG Heuer
- Tiffany & Co.
- Ulysse Nardin
- Vacheron Constantin
- Zenith
Our Evaluation Process for Luxury Watches
When you bring us a luxury watch, we typically take the watch in for a thorough inspection before making an offer. You will sign a release form, and we will properly insure the watch for loss during evaluation. Our process includes:
- Authenticating the watch
- Verifying original vs. aftermarket parts
- Leak testing using a pressure tester (if water resistance is applicable)
- Evaluating timekeeping accuracy using a timegrapher machine
- Our watchmaker will check for any required repairs to make the piece resale-ready.
This process takes approximately 3 to 5 business days. Once complete, we will contact you with our offer. If you choose to accept, you will be paid immediately. If you decline, your watch will be returned to you within a few days.
What to Bring With Your Watch
If you have the original box, hang tags, paperwork, receipts, warranty cards, or certificates that came with your watch, please bring them with you. These materials help with authentication and increase the resale value. However, if you no longer have them, that’s perfectly fine—we’re still happy to evaluate your watch.
