What is the unique "flavor" of second-hand watches? An appraiser explains the charm of time-honored watches

When buying a watch, your choices are either new or used .
Many people have traditionally had negative images of second-hand goods, such as being "easily broken," "dirty," or "deteriorating."

However, used watches are quite different from the general image of used goods.
Of course, there are some second-hand items that fit the traditional image.

However, second-hand watches that have been properly maintained and aged have a character that new watches do not have .

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Also, if you have a watch that looks expensive but you don't know its value, please feel free to contact us at Commit Ginza and we will purchase it from you at the highest price in the industry !

Why are "used" watches in demand?

There is a wide range of second-hand watches available, not only from online retailers but also from local shops.
The reason why second-hand watches are in demand is because they are less likely to lose value .

Things that are less likely to lose value include physical assets such as gold and silver, rare jewels, commemorative coins, paintings, and wine.

Did you know that there are watches that are just as valuable as these?
One of the reasons why used watches are so popular is that you won't lose out by buying them.

What is the appeal of used watches?

The appeal of used watches: 1. You can enjoy watches that are different from the current trends.

In fact, luxury brand watches follow trends that change with the demand of each era.
For example, case size. Larger case sizes are the norm these days, but in the past, smaller case sizes were preferred.

One of the attractions of used watches is that you can sense how demand changes with the times .

The appeal of used watches: 2. The premium feel of being able to get hard-to-find models

When talking about used watches, one thing that cannot be overlooked is the premium feeling that comes with getting your hands on a hard-to-find watch.

To begin with, luxury watch brands are characterized by the fact that each model is produced in small quantities. Strictly speaking, there is a set production period, and production continues during that period, but when it comes to popular models, demand exceeds supply. As a result, it becomes impossible to purchase even at authorized stores.

When we think of second-hand goods, we imagine them to be dirty or damaged, but as they are luxury items, they are often treated with care and are in good condition, with some even being completely unused.

If you choose such items, you will be able to get them as new items and at a low price even if they are second-hand.

Surprisingly many people search second-hand shops for hard-to-find models that they cannot get their hands on, and this is recognized as a common tactic among collectors.

Many people probably don't have much of a problem with this, thinking of it as being similar to a classic car, a new car, or a display car.

The appeal of used watches 3. The unique atmosphere of aged watches

"If it's practically new, then it's one thing, but if it's worn out, then it's just a used item, right?"

Many people have this perception, and while it cannot be denied in some ways, there are exceptions when it comes to watches.
In some models of certain years, the materials and ingredients used in the manufacturing process change over time, creating a unique vintage character (commonly known as a rare point). Collectors search for these "changes over time" by browsing the internet and visiting brick-and-mortar stores day and night in search of their favorite piece.

The difference between "aging" and "deterioration"

Changes over time add flavor, while deterioration over time is simply a decline in quality .

In terms of dictionary definitions, they have similar meanings, but I will explain them separately as the difference indicates the state of the watch.

First, there is the issue of deterioration over time.
Aging occurs when parts deteriorate over the years or with continued use, causing the paint to peel off due to friction.

Any item will inevitably deteriorate over time, and as it deteriorates, its value decreases.

On the other hand, "aging" also refers to a change in condition that occurs over time, but because the item has been properly maintained, there is little functional damage or deterioration of parts.

In the watch industry, the phenomenon in which metal parts change color over time and take on a more refined appearance is sometimes referred to as aging .

To use the example of food, would it be easier to understand if I said that the difference is about the same as that between "fermentation", which is the decomposition and transformation caused by microorganisms that are beneficial to humans, and "decay", which is the decay caused by microorganisms that are harmful to humans?

Please be careful, as there are many unscrupulous vendors who confuse "change over time (fermentation)" with "deterioration over time (spoilage)" and sell "spoiled" products, so choose your store carefully.

The appeal of used watches #4: Some have unique features

The rare features that a watch originally has or the changes that have occurred over time that have earned it recognition as valuable are called "rare points." It is very difficult to purchase a new watch with rare points.

Being able to choose and purchase such items is one of the attractions of used watches .

So, what are the specific rare points?

Spider Dial

It is called a spider dial because the paint on the surface of the dial is cracked and looks like a spider web.

This is a rare phenomenon that occurs with Rolexes manufactured in the 1980s, including the Submariner, Explorer, and GMT Master.

However, the spider dial is officially considered to have "deteriorated over time" because of concerns that the cracks could lead to corrosion of the dial.

However, they are traded at high prices among collectors and in shops .

It seems that people appreciate the beauty of fragile things. It may be a similar trend to distressed jeans. There are also cases where the way iPhone screens are cracked has attracted attention.

The spider dial, with its beautiful spider web-like cracks, may have also struck a chord with collectors.

The paragraphs and letter shapes are different

Usually, not just in luxury watches, there are characters engraved on the bezel or dial. Usually, if it is the same model, they are all engraved with the same shape and the same characters. However, occasionally there are differences that are not noticeable unless you look closely, such as a step drop, a different shape of the characters, or different characters written .

This phenomenon is common with old coins and banknotes, and they are still traded at high prices by collectors. This phenomenon also occurs frequently in luxury watches, but it is still unclear whether it is a mistake or deliberate.

Some watches have differences that are clearly impossible to explain unless they are being used to create a conversation, and many people find that they are charmed in an indescribable way, as if they were children when they come across such a watch.

Burns or discoloration

The dial and bezel of a watch can discolor due to exposure to ultraviolet rays and air.

When it comes to burning and discoloration, it is extremely difficult to determine what will be valuable and what will not .
Whether or not this is a rare point is determined subjectively, not in an absolute sense.

If you think, "This is browning nicely, the color has changed," then it's worth buying .
However, while the "Tropical Dial" and "Patrizzi" dials are recognized as "changes over time" that significantly increase the price, it is important to note that fading of the luminous material does not have a significant positive effect on the appraisal.

If you hear sales talk like "This burn is highly rated," be a little skeptical.

As with antiques, the taste in this area is largely subjective, so you should avoid anything other than what you really like.

On the other hand , if you really like something, you can be sure it's the best.

Bonus: Blackout

Blackouts are not something that develops over time, but we are introducing them as an extra feature because there is little of them on the market and they are highly valuable.

The blackout feature is a rare feature of the Rolex Explorer I model. However, due to poor visibility due to the black indexes on the black dial, it was only produced for about two years.

However, the 3, 6, and 9 indexes engraved on the Explorer dial are usually "silver-rimmed and white inside", but they are "black instead of white" . That's why it's called a blackout.

There are blackout versions of both the Ref. 14270 and the Ref. 214270.

Now, this rarity has led to high demand, and it is being traded at prices several hundred thousand yen higher than the list price.

What are some recommended used watch brands that have a lot of characterful watches?

Rolex

Rolex is a luxury watch brand founded in 1905 and has a history spanning more than 100 years.

Rolex is the most famous watch in the world, and many of them are available on the second-hand market. It is not uncommon for them to sell for more than their retail price, and the asset value of Rolex has been attracting attention on a global level, to the point that the genre of watch investment has been established.

There are many pre-owned watches with unique and rare features such as spider dials, blackout dials, and stepped dials.

If you were to choose the brand of second-hand watches that will give you the least loss, it would undoubtedly be Rolex.

Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe, a prestigious Swiss watch brand that is counted among the world's three biggest watch brands, is a genuine manufacture that handles everything from design to parts manufacturing in-house.

Patek Philippe has a track record of developing numerous complicated mechanisms, including perpetual calendars, and it is fair to say that when it comes to watchmaking technology, no one can match it.

Even when it comes to pre-owned Patek Philippe watches, popular models do not lose much value.
In addition to their solid technical skills, they are also popular among the world's wealthy, and even used watches are traded for several million yen.

Due to the small number produced, they are highly rare and the material design is carefully calculated , so it is said that they shine even more as they age .

Audemars Piguet

Source: invaluable.com

Audemars Piguet is a prestigious Swiss watch brand that is considered one of the three biggest watch brands in the world. It boasts top-class watchmaking technology.

Audemars Piguet's flagship model is the Royal Oak, which was the first luxury watch to use stainless steel.

Among these Royal Oaks, the model number Ref. 5204ST shown in the image above has a dial that has a discoloration called "tropical."

This one is trading at a very high price .

If you have any, please contact us. We will buy them at the highest price in Japan.

omega

Omega is probably the most well-known luxury watch brand in Japan alongside Rolex.

If you're from the generation that enjoyed the news about the watch that went to the moon, you've probably thought about getting your hands on the Speedmaster at least once.

OMEGA is a brand that has the technology to create watches with high performance, such as shock resistance, cold resistance, and heat resistance, certified by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Resistant to the effects of aging, many Omegas on the second-hand market are in good condition, with beautiful fading and discoloration . Of course, there are also many rare models.

Compared to Rolex and Patek Philippe, the list price is cheaper, so it is also more affordable than the two brands mentioned above.

summary

In this article, we have introduced you to the unique flavor of second-hand items.
There are many attractive features to second-hand watches, but we have introduced the following points as some of the most representative ones.

• Enjoy a watch that is different from the current trend
• A premium feel with hard-to-find models
• The unique atmosphere of an aged watch
• There are unique flavors such as rare points

We have introduced the following brands as luxury brands that have many characterful used watches.

• Rolex
• Patek Philippe
• omega

Were you able to get a feel for the unique charm of second-hand items?

However, seeing is believing, so if you are even slightly interested in second-hand watches, please come to Commit Ginza.

We will introduce you to valuable watches selected by experienced appraisers.

Popular watches sell out quickly. You can get the information before someone else does, so be sure to sign up for LINE@ !

Thank you for reading.
If you are interested in used watches, first check out Rolex watches, which are easier to appreciate!

Also, if you have any luxury watches you would like to sell, please feel free to contact Commit Ginza!

If you want to sell luxury watches for a high price or buy them for a low price, come to Commit Ginza!

• "I want to sell my unused luxury watch for as much as possible."
• "I want a thorough assessment."
• "I want to buy from a store with a good track record."
• "I want to buy luxury watches at low prices."

If you have these requirements, Commit Ginza is perfect for you !

Commit Ginza is a watch store that operates on the concept of " buy high, sell low " in the used watch market, where prices are said to be difficult to understand.

Our experienced watch appraisers assess the watches to determine the market value and set the appropriate price. We also strive to maximize the profit margins of our stores and improve customer satisfaction.

As a result, the commission rate for deposit sales is only 3% (industry average is 10%).

Please feel free to consult with Commit Ginza whether you are purchasing a watch for investment or selling.