Are you a vintage watch enthusiast looking for reliable online marketplaces? The internet is awash with vintage watch shops, but it's important to find a reputable dealer that offers quality watches at fair prices.
Fortunately, there are some excellent online shops that specialize in vintage timepieces, offering a wide selection of models from high-end luxury brands to affordable and quality watches. In this article, we've rounded up the 10 best places to buy vintage watches online, showcasing popular websites such as Vintage Radar, eBay, Chrono24, Bob's Watches & Hodinkee.
Used & Old Watches for Sale Online
Why should you buy a Vintage Watch?
Vintage watches offer a unique combination of history, craftsmanship, and style that simply can't be found in modern timepieces. Each vintage watch tells a story, and having one can make you part of it. These watches are also often more affordable than their modern counterparts, and can be a great way to snag a high-quality timepiece without breaking the bank.
You can learn more about the perks of owning a vintage timepiece here.
10 Best Places To Buy Vintage Watches Online
Now let's check out 10 online stores that offer a nice selection of watches for vintage lovers, from affordable timepieces, to luxurious heirloom watches:
1. Vintage Radar
From its humble beginnings as a small Etsy shop more than 7 years ago, Vintage Radar has evolved into a highly regarded retailer in the realm of vintage watch sales. In contrast to other online marketplaces, Vintage Radar stands out as a privately owned venture led by a dedicated team.
They meticulously source, verify, and, when needed, restore and repair each timepiece before presenting it for sale. This unique approach ensures that every watch available has undergone a thorough authentication process, guaranteeing both its genuine nature and flawless functionality.
Another strong point which Vintage Radar prides with is its extensive selection of affordable watches. The website boasts highly-collectible pieces, most notably Swiss, French, and German watches, with prices starting as low as $100. Additionally, the inclusion of free worldwide shipping further enhances the appeal, making it the perfect choice for finding hidden gems at bargain prices.
Finally, Vintage Radar boasts one of the largest collections of vintage Swatch watches, starring over 1000 different models from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000's. Among them can be counted extremely rare timepieces such as the SCJ101 GRAN PRIX Swatch, the original GK100 JELLY FISH Swatch, and much sought-after Swatch prototypes that were released in very limited numbers.
2. eBay
eBay is one of the largest online marketplaces, offering a vast selection of products, including vintage watches. It is a great platform to search for and purchase vintage watches, as sellers from all around the world can list their items for sale. This does mean, however, that inexperienced sellers may list products as well, so you might not find fully accurate information about a vintage timepiece on its listing page.
eBay offers buyer protection policies, ensuring that buyers can shop with confidence. These policies include a money back guarantee if the product is significantly different from the description included in the listing, as well as an "item not received resolution", in which case eBay will open an investigation and refund the client if necessary.
Additionally, if you're on the hunt for a specific piece, eBay's complex search function will make it easy to filter through thousands of vintage watches to find exactly what you're looking for.
3. Chrono24
Chrono24 is an online marketplace that connects buyers and sellers of luxury watches from all over the world. The platform was founded in Germany in 2003 and has since become one of the largest online marketplaces for high-end watches. Chrono24 offers a wide selection of timepieces, including vintage and rare models, as well as modern luxury ones.
The site has an advanced search and filtering system that makes it easy to find specific watches by brand, reference number, model, year, price, and more. In addition, Chrono24 has a secure payment system and offers a buyer protection policy that covers the authenticity of the watch and the condition it was described in by the seller.
A drawback of the website is its lack of affordable wristwatches, as it is mainly designed to be a luxury watch marketplace. But if you don't mind spending the big bucks and are looking for guaranteed authenticity, then Chrono24 is definitely the way to go.
4. Bob's Watches
Bob's Watches is an online marketplace for buying, selling, and trading new and pre-owned luxury watches, specializing on Rolex timepieces. It was founded in 1999 and has since grown to become one of the largest online retailers of Rolex watches in the world.
Bob's Watches has a team of renowned experts who authenticate and service every watch before it is listed for sale. The website also provides detailed information about each watch, including high-quality photographs, descriptions, and the watch's history. Bob's Watches offers an authenticity guarantee and a 1-year warranty on every watch sold. Additionally, the website provides a sell-your-watch service, allowing customers to trade in their old luxury watches for cash or store credit.
Similar and even more so than Chrono24, however, the platform is only intended for luxury timepieces and thus lacks affordable options for those that aren't looking to break the bank on a vintage timepiece.
5. Hodinkee
Hodinkee is a popular online magazine that is dedicated to covering the world of watches, providing in-depth articles, reviews, and news about all things horological. The Hodinkee Watch Shop is an extension of this brand and offers a curated selection of both new and vintage watches for sale.
Photo source: Hodinkee
The focus of the Hodinkee Watch Shop is on offering high-quality and often hard-to-find timepieces that appeal to both enthusiasts and collectors. In addition to its selection of watches, the Hodinkee Watch Shop also sells watch accessories, such as straps and winders, and offers a trade-in program for those looking to sell or upgrade their timepieces.
Mainly a marketplace for high-end products, Hodinkee is also not well-suited for those in search of budget vintage wristwatches, with its lowest-priced pre-owned timepiece coming in at $1.800 at the time of writing. However, any watch lover should check out the Hodinkee blog, since they cover the topic of watches in an in-depth, fascinating way. They even launched a podcast about watches.
6. Second Time Around Watch Company
The Second Time Around Watch Company is a well-known and respected retailer specializing in luxury vintage watches. Established in 1975, the company has built a strong reputation for offering a wide selection of high-quality, authentic, and expertly serviced vintage timepieces. With a focus on vintage Rolex watches, the retailer also carries other prestigious brands such as Patek Philippe, Omega, and Audemars Piguet.
What sets Second Time Around Watch Company apart is their commitment to providing meticulously restored and serviced vintage watches. Each watch undergoes a thorough inspection and servicing process by their team of skilled watchmakers to ensure it is in excellent working condition.
Specializing in luxury timepieces, the company's target audience are avid watch collectors that are willing to spend big. Those willing to take advantage of their services, however, will benefit from a personalized and customer-oriented experience, assisting buyers in selecting the perfect vintage timepiece to match their style and preferences.
7. Wanna Buy a Watch
Wanna Buy A Watch? is a reputable watch store located in Los Angeles, California. It has been serving watch enthusiasts and collectors since 1981, offering a wide range of new, pre-owned, and vintage watches. The store has gained a strong reputation for its diverse selection of high-quality timepieces and exceptional customer service.
Wanna Buy A Watch? takes pride in curating a unique inventory that caters to a variety of styles and budgets. They carry watches from renowned brands like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, while also featuring a "Vintage Watches Under $1000" collection with some stylish pieces from Hamilton, Helbros, Matthey Tissot, and more.
Finally, the retailer offers professional watch servicing and restoration services to ensure that your timepiece remains in excellent condition for years to come.
8. Cool Vintage Watches
Photo credits: Cool Vintage Watches
Cool Vintage Watches is a reputable retailer that opened up shop in Kansas City over 20 years ago. It prides itself with a carefully curated selection of timepieces that were collected by the company's owner along the years, boasting highly-regarded brands such as Rolex, Tudor, and Omega.
The store offers professional watch repair services by certified watchmaker staff with over 40 years of experience. It is also a great place if you are looking for consignment services, and likewise offers the option to trade one of your vintage timepieces for one of their own.
In contrast to other luxury retailers, Cool Vintage Watches boasts a fair collection of affordable timepieces with prices around the $300 mark. What sets them apart is their commitment to regular stock updates, providing customers with ample choices and exciting new models to explore.
9. Bulang & Sons
Bulang & Sons is a highly regarded brand known for its exceptional selection of luxury vintage watches, alongside their range of watch accessories. Their selection often includes iconic and sought-after models from renowned brands such as Rolex, Omega, and Heuer, with each piece undergoing a rigorous verification process to ensure its authenticity and quality.
Photo credits: Bulang and Sons
Bulang and Sons' dedication to vintage watches goes beyond just selling them. They are passionate about sharing the knowledge and history behind each timepiece, often providing detailed descriptions and insights on their website. This commitment to education and appreciation of vintage watches enhance their customers' understanding and connection to the timepieces they acquire.
Whether you are a seasoned collector or a newcomer to the world of luxury vintage watches, Bulang and Sons offers a captivating selection of timepieces that celebrate craftsmanship, heritage, and individuality. Their expertise makes them a trusted source for those seeking a unique, albeit pricy, addition to their collection.
10. Etsy
Etsy is a widely recognized online marketplace that offers a diverse range of products, including vintage watches. While primarily known for its handmade and artisanal goods, Etsy also serves as a platform for independent sellers to offer vintage and antique items, including watches, to a global customer base.
As a platform for vintage watches, Etsy provides a unique shopping experience for collectors and enthusiasts. It offers a wide selection of watches from different eras, brands, and styles, allowing buyers to explore a variety of options and discover hidden gems of all price ranges.
While shopping for vintage watches on Etsy can be an exciting experience, it's essential for buyers to exercise due diligence. After all, you're buying from independent sellers.
Checking the seller's ratings and reviews, carefully reviewing product descriptions and photos, and asking any necessary questions about the watch's condition or authenticity are recommended. If you are a novice collector or lack the necessary knowledge to evaluate a vintage watch, it is better to go with in-house online stores that verify the timepieces themselves.
Top 10 best places to buy vintage watches online
The world of vintage watches holds a captivating allure, and online platforms have made it easier than ever to access and acquire these remarkable timepieces. Our Top 10 best places to buy vintage watches online offers a wealth of options for both seasoned collectors and enthusiastic newcomers. So we hope our article has helped you find the right place to continue your journey in the world of used and old timepieces!
Shopped at any of these retailers already? Tell us and other readers about your experience in the comments below!