Watches that retain the highest resale value tend to share certain characteristics. When you’ve got brand prestige combined with an iconic model that is also hard to come by, it might get you top dollars. But there are also many caveats to this equation. If you’re thinking of selling or pawning a watch, your local pawn shop can tell you just how much it’s worth.
Pawn shops want them because there will always be customer demand for certain kinds of watches. Even if you get 50% of the original selling price for something that cost a few grand or more, that’s still a lot of dough in your pocket.
Below is a breakdown of which watches tend to do best, why, and what factors most affect their resale value.
Why Are Some Watches Worth More?
Some watch brands get a kind of forever reputation for being “worth” a lot. A model can have more cachet because it was originally worn in space, or by deep sea divers or racecar drivers. But the truth is that resale values can fluctuate. The amount you can get at a place like Fullerton Pawners in Chicago might depend on the state it’s in, if any parts have been repaired, if it comes with its original papers and container, and what customers have been demanding.
That said, watches are likely to retain a bigger fraction of their value, and sometimes may even appreciate, based on certain traits.
5 Watch Types That Have the Highest Resale Value
If your watch falls into one of these categories, then you might be able to get a lot of money for it at a pawn shop.
1. Steel Sports Watches
There’s always a taste for watches that are universally versatile and wearable – not just superficially attractive. For example, high-end sports watches like the Rolesor Rolex Submariner are desired for their usability as well as their name. They’re durable, long-lasting, and collectible. Better yet if yours is limited edition.
2. Iconic Heritage Models
Certain brands hold a long-standing historical significance. A watch is often considered especially iconic when associated with prestige activities, like the Rolex GMT‑Master originally worn by airplane pilots, or the porthole-shaped Patek Philippe Nautilus, which you might see on a yacht.
If your watch is one of those recognizable designs that loyal collectors want, you may be able to cash in on that loyalty.
3. Limited Editions & Discontinued Models
There is a truism in the pawning world: scarcity increases desirability. Collectors want those harder-to-find premium or limited edition watches for the simple reason that they are no longer available. If your luxury watch has been discontinued, you can expect to get more cash for it than you otherwise would have.
4. Watches with In-House Movements & Craftsmanship
Some watches demonstrate superior craftsmanship and artistry. A timepiece whose components were designed, developed, and manufactured entirely in-house are considered technically superior, and therefore more prestigious. It’s why watch connoisseurs and purists respect the long-term reliability and service of products like the battery-free Grand Seiko Spring Drive and luxury, in addition to handcrafted Swiss watches like the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master series.
5. Watches in Excellent Condition with a Complete or Full Set
One last sign your watch might hold more value: it’s not missing anything that originally came with it. Being able to present the original box, papers, and warranty cards means enthusiasts can trust its authenticity (and potentially view it as an investment). That automatically makes it easier for shops like Fullerton Pawners to resell and fetch premium pricing.
Bonus points if there’s minimal wear and each individual part appears untouched.
Call Fullerton Pawners About the Resale Value of Your Watch
Pawn shops aren’t just a safe place to sell jewelry and gold items, but they are also reliable local businesses for pawning high-end watches when you need the money.
Reach out to Fullerton Pawners online or call 773-637-9999 with any questions. Stop by our location at 5920 W. Fullerton if you want us to appraise your watch for you.
