If you are looking to buy your first vintage watch, one made in Switzerland will most likely be your first option, irrespective of whether you actually live there or not. Without a doubt, Switzerland is the epicentre of watchmaking, with major watch brands such as Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, Vacheron Constantin, Omega & many more, having their headquarters there.
Some of these Swiss watch brands might not be attainable budget-wise for many of us, and that is where the Swatch Group offers a large variety of options, with brands such as Hamilton, Tissot, Longines, Rado, and Certina under their umbrella.
If you want to save even more money, you can have a look at pre-owned or vintage watches online, as you might find some grail timepieces. So in this article, we are going to look at 10 places where you can buy vintage watches in or from Switzerland.
Swiss-Made Watches Online
When you buy a vintage watch online, you should always focus on a few key factors so that you make sure you actually get what you want. First of all, you should always buy from a reputable watch dealer who guarantees their watches are in working condition, have been serviced, or come with a brand new battery inside. Then you should also take into consideration the condition of the timepiece, maintenance costs, shipping price, and import-export charges.
Top 10 Best Websites to Buy Vintage Watches in Switzerland
Today, we will focus on various websites and independent watch dealers that are either based in Switzerland or ship their watches there. You will find stores that sell high-end pieces, as well as store that focus on more affordable vintage watch brands, a little bit of everything!
1. Vintage Radar
First of all, we have to mention our website, where we mainly sell pre-owned and vintage watches with an affordable price range. Located in Romania, European Union, we offer a large selection of vintage watches by Swiss brands such as Swatch, Longines, Tissot, and many more. But our vintage collection is also home to watches by Seiko, Citizen, Timex, Casio, Jules Jurgensen & many other watch brands.
With over 10,000 vintage watches for sale at any given moment on our online platform, Vintage Radar is one of the biggest independent online watch dealers in Europe, in terms of variety and number of vintage watches available for sale. We ship internationally, including to Switzerland, and overseas. Check out our vintage Swiss-made watch collection here.
We also pride ourselves on having an impressive vintage Swatch watch selection, with over 1,000 vintage Swatch watch models available on our website.
If you would like to learn more about watches, vintage watches, and also see a few of our vintage watch models, make sure to also subscribe to our YouTube Channel, and join our community of over 20,000 watch enthusiasts who have already subscribed!
2. Chrono24
Buying vintage watches on Chrono24 can be an easy and fun experience for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Chrono24 is one of the largest online marketplaces dedicated to watches of all kinds, which means you can find timepieces from different eras, brands, and price points. You can easily use the filter options in order to select only sellers from Switzerland.
You will find watch dealers, occasional resellers, and people who only have a small number of watches for sale. One of the main concerns might be authenticity and condition. Vintage watches often come with replaced parts, refinished dials, something that affects the value a lot. But the vetting process is quite serious on this platform, and they have a strong escrow system when it comes to payments. So it is quite a reliable platform when it comes to purchasing and selling watches.
Prices tend to be a bit higher that average, since dealers add platform fees and margins. And sometimes, the watches are not even in stock, but will be sourced after the sale, which is something that can discourage buyers. But that only happens in particular cases. Otherwise, you can find some beautiful timepieces on this platform.
3. Watchfinder
Watchfinder specializes in pre-owned and new luxury watches, so buyers can expect curated timepieces and professional authentication. Every watch goes through inspection and servicing before sale, which reduces the risk you take. Furthermore, they offer a 24-month warranty period on the watches they sell.
Since Watchfinder handles most of the quality control, this might be a better option than Chrono24 in terms of peace of mind. With over 5,000 pieces for sale, the selection is going to be smaller, but they focus on major brands such as Rolex, Omega, Hublot, Cartier, Breitling & more.
Prices also tend to be higher because of servicing, warranties, and dealer margins. But a lot of people prefer to pay extra in order to know exactly what they get!
4. Veritas
Based in Switzerland, Veritas is a great choice for those looking to buy watches without worrying about import-export charges or filtering sellers by country. Being based at the centre of watchmaking, Veritas benefits from proximity to servicing and genuine watch sourcing. Another advantage is the boutique approach. Unlike the previous global marketplaces, Veritas provides the option of a personal buying experience, where you can actually see the timepiece you want to buy.
Image source: veritaswatches.ch
The downsides are mostly about low selection and cost. Since Veritas is smaller than platforms like Chrono24, eBay, or Etsy, the selection is limited, especially for certain models or watch brands. Prices are also a bit high and displayed in Swiss Francs. This means international buyers will need to take into consideration conversion rates, international shipping and customs fees.
5. Watch Dealer24
Watch Dealer24 is a watch store based in Zurich that features a beautiful selection of vintage timepieces for sale. They mostly focus on mid-range and expensive watch brands, starting with names like Omega, Nomos, Tudor, or Longines, and going up to exclusive luxury brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Richard Mille.
They also offer a consignment service, which allows you to sell your watch through their platform. And an authenticity check service for your already-owned watches. So, when it comes to authenticity, this watch dealer seems to be knowing what they're doing, which is a key factor to consider when you're considering an important investment timepiece.
6. Chrono Scope
Based in Luzern, Switzerland, ChronoScope is a Swiss boutique seller that focuses on carefully chosen collector watches, especially vintage chronographs and classic Swiss brands. They have one of the most interesting selections of vintage models, with prices between $1,000 and $10,000, with some breathtaking chronograph models, which I personally like the most.
If you are based in Switzerland or plan a trip there, make sure to make an appointment in order to browse through this interesting selection, especially if you do not have a certain model in mind. Their curated models are worth seeing in person!
On the downside, the inventory is limited compared to major platforms, so it might take time to find a specific reference. Prices can also be higher and in Swiss Francs, reflecting both the Swiss base and the effort invested in sourcing and checking each watch.
7. Beyer
Beyer Watches & Jewellery in Zurich, Switzerland, is maybe the oldest watch retailer in the world, with a history dating back to 1760. That heritage makes them a trusted source for vintage and pre-owned pieces, with each piece being carefully inspected. Their inventory blends vintage timepieces, young classics, and modern pre-loved models, meaning collectors can find pieces with character while still benefiting from professional service and Swiss expertise.
Image source: beyer-ch.com
Furthermore, they also sell some exclusive pieces of jewelry made by them, which can be a great combo. If you make an appoinment in advance, they will be able to prepare all the watches and jewelry pieces you might be interested in, and you can have the full experience at their physical location.
The trade-off is the price. With a name as established as Beyer, buyers should expect to pay a premium compared to smaller watch dealers or large marketplaces. The focus on quality and brand prestige also means the selection, while strong, may not always be as diverse as some may want, with rare references missing from their catalog.
8. 41 Watch Geneva
41 Watch Geneva is a boutique dealer specializing in collectible and high-end vintage timepieces. Their strength lies in expert appraisal: every watch is examined by Fabrice Guéroux, a recognized authority in the field, and accompanied by detailed identity sheets describing the dial, case, movement, and overall condition. Each watch comes accompanied by a booklet with all the details about the watch, condition, and pictures, giving buyers a high degree of transparency and confidence in what they are purchasing.
With over 20 years of experience they also offer appraisal services or the option of selling your watch. Once again, this is done by appointment only, so make sure to book in advance.
Just like all premium Swiss watch dealers, your pocket is going to feel the difference, while also not having too many options to choose from. Their cheapest vintage watch models are around 7,000-10,000 Swiss Francs, while the most expensive are close to 200,000 Swiss Francs. Additionally, while the Geneva showroom adds prestige, it requires an appointment and can be less convenient for international buyers who might want a spontaneous purchase.
9. eBay & Etsy
Buying vintage watches on platforms like eBay and Etsy can be appealing because of their huge variety and global reach. You will find thousands, if not tens of thousands, of vintage watches in each country, making it easy to filter by country, price, condition, etc. Both sites connect buyers directly with private sellers, small dealers, and collectors, which means there’s always a chance to stumble upon rare or unusual pieces that don’t appear on traditional watch marketplaces. Prices will range from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands.
Furthermore, on eBay, you have unlimited live watch auctions where you can purchase your grail watch or bid on a collection of random timepieces It's a great place to start collecting and getting into watches.
Both platforms have a feedback feature in place, giving you the opportunity to buy from reputable vintage watch sellers. As a rule, you should always buy the seller, not the watch!
The disadvantages, however, are significant. Authenticity and condition are the biggest concerns: many sellers on eBay and Etsy are not watch specialists, so listings may include inaccurate descriptions, no service history, undisclosed repairs, or outright counterfeits. Also, there are a ton of “Frankenstein watches” that will seem like a good deal for the untrained eye, when in reality they are not. Photos can be unclear, and details like service history are often missing. Buyer protection helps, but returning items can be slow and complicated, especially for international purchases. The last thing you want to do after buying your desired watch, is to find out it does not meet your expectations and start the return process, hoping to get your money back.
10. Faktor Zeit
Faktor Zeit in Zurich, Switzerland, stands out for its combination of retail and in-house watchmaking expertise. Unlike many dealers, they have two certified in-house watchmakers who personally inspect, service, and restore each timepiece before it reaches a buyer. They even offer watch repair services at their physical location.
This hands-on approach ensures that every vintage watch is mechanically sound and gives collectors peace of mind when buying a vintage watch. Their focus is on Swiss watches from the 1930s to 1960s, including pre-owned wristwatches, pocket watches, and clocks, making it a destination for those interested in authentic period pieces. They have a nice collection of vintage tank watches, old Omega references, and some nice classic gold pieces.
The usual drawback is going to be pricing, especially with so much attention to detail, and in-house watchmakers that cost a fortune in Switzerland. Furthermore, their prices are not listed on the website, so you need to put in your details in order to find out how much you have to spend for the piece you like. This might discourage some people from embarking into what may seem a complicated process.
What do you think about our list?
These are our Top 10 places where you can buy vintage watches in Switzerland. Which stores would you add to the list? Let us know in the comments!
If you're looking for an affordable vintage Swiss-made watch, you are welcome browse through our Swiss-made watch collection. And don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions about your desired Swiss timepiece!
At Vintage Radar, we hope to encourage you to give a second chance to vintage & pre-owned watches. Make sure to use our 10% OFF Coupon Code: WELCOME10 on your first order, or subscribe to our newsletter and get a unique 15% OFF code!