How to buy
Buy with fewer surprises.
Where to buy, what to check, and what to pay. Read the guides, or ask a creator to look at a listing before you buy.
- Grey market vs authorized dealer
Grey market vs authorized dealer: how warranty, price, and history compare, and when each one makes sense.
- How to buy a pre-owned watch
How to buy a pre-owned watch safely: condition, sellers, box and papers, fair prices, and the red flags to walk away from.
- How to authenticate a watch
How to authenticate a watch: what you can check yourself, where people get fooled, and when to pay a professional.
- New vs pre-owned watches
New vs pre-owned watches: what you gain and give up on price, warranty, condition, and peace of mind.
- Is buying grey market safe?
Buying grey market can be safe with a reputable seller and a genuine watch. The risks that remain and how to reduce them.
- What to check for watch authenticity
A checklist for watch authenticity: case, dial, movement, bracelet, and papers, plus how much checking each kind of seller needs.
- Where to buy a watch
Where to buy a watch: authorized dealer, grey market, pre-owned specialist, or private seller. What each is best and worst at.
- Watch pricing and negotiation
How watch pricing works at dealers, grey sellers, and auctions, and how to negotiate with comps instead of lowballs.
- Watch condition grades explained
What New, Used–Like New, Used–Good, and other seller grades mean, and how to check a grade against the photos.
Want a straight answer from someone who knows watches? Browse creators.