Batteries
Standard Battery Watches
Is the watch ticking, if the watch does not have a second hand cover the face for a few minutes and check the minute hand has moved.
Kinetic Powered Watches
Kinetic watches are powered by movement. To test gently rock the watch back and forward in your hand 5 times and check the watch is going.
Light Powered Watches
Sometimes called ECO Drive watches, these watches are powered by sunlight or artificial light. If you encounter one of these watches place in direct light for around 1 minute and see if the watch starts.
DO NOT BUY ANY WATCHES THAT DO NOT TICK. IN MANY CASES THIS WILL BE DUE TO A SIMPLE DEAD BATTERY. ADVISE THE CUSTOMER THAT THEY MUST GET THE BATTERY CHANGED BEFORE WE BUY/BUYBACK.
The Pin and date features
Gently pull the pin out, any watch with a day/date feature will have a 2 stage pin. You will notice that when the pin comes out you can turn the pin to change the date. Pulling the pin out further will allow you to change the time. If either of these functions does not work. Do not buy the item.
Note: some watches may have a screw pin. If the pin doesnt release with a gentle pull try unscrewing it first.
IF THE DATE FEATURE DOES NOT WORK DO NOT BUY/BUYBACK THE WATCH
Chronograph /stopwatch
The most common broken feature is the stopwatch. You normally have 2 buttons either side of the pin. The top button should start and stop the timer and the bottom button should reset. Make sure the hand resets to 12.
Strap or bangle
Check if the clasp fastens at the back and stays closed with no resistance. If the watch has a metal band check that no links have been removed. If links have been removed ask the customer if they still have the links. If not try and ascertain if the watch still fits a medium to large wrist.
Box and Cards
High value watches should be purchased with the original box, instructions and guarantee cards. Not having these items severely affects their resale value.
DO NOT BUY ANY WATCH OVER £400 WITHOUT GUARANTEE CARD OR RECIPT
Condition
Check there are no major scratches to the face, bezel or band. Leather strap watches will have some markings where the strap fastens. Metal bands will generally have a few scratches on the rear near the clasp.
IF IN VERY BAD CONDITION DO NOT BUY
Valuation
Watches in great condition are worth around 1/3 of the new retail price.
You want to buy second hand watches at 1/6 of the new value.
Simplest way to calculate this is put the price on a calculator and ÷ by 6
If there is are issues with the condition use this scale
No Box – 10% off the offer price
Minor damage – 10% off the offer price
Moderate damage – 15% off the offer price
WATCHES WITH MORE THAN MODERATE DAMAGE SHOULD NOT BE BOUGHT
Here are some examples
Seiko Watch worth £100 new
Offer price £16
Assess condition
Minor damage (- 10%)
No box (-10%)
Final offer price £ 12.80 (round up to £13)
Tag Heuer kirium worth £900 new
Offer price £150
Assess condition
Like new
With box and guarantee card
Final offer price £ 150
Tag Heuer kirium worth £900 new
Offer price £150
Assess condition
Like new
With box and guarantee card
Final offer price £ 150
Rolex Oyster-date £5000 new
Offer price £833
Assess condition
Moderate damage (- 15%)
No box, no cards