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Keep an eye out for any old watches next time youâre having a clear-out. Collectable, desirable and with intricate inner mechanisms sometimes made of precious metals, these timepieces could just be worth a small fortune. Naturally, some watches are worth more than others, and thereâs no telling whether a vintage collectorsâ item could sell for more than an ancient pocket watch. However, with a little outsider knowledge, you could reap the benefits of selling unwanted items.
Before you start, itâs important to make the distinction between a vintage watch and an antique watch. Certainly, both items will likely go back generations, but thereâs a key difference.
Vintage is usually a term we associate with 20th Century trends, so thereâs no minimum age for vintage. However, vintage watches are generally no more than 100 years old. Popular collectorsâ items, these retro watches generally come to be considered âvintageâ when theyâre around 30 years old or more.
The term antique, coming from the Latin antiques (ancient) generally refers to things over 100 years old. This is why youâll find pocket watches more commonly in this category. Wristwatches were not invented until 1868 and rose to prominence in the 20th Century.
Whether itâs antique or vintage, there are essentially three main ways to sell old watches. You can contact a private seller, attend an auction, or sell your watch to us.
As the more modern vintage watches are likely to have been mass-produced, theyâre a hit with more casual collectors and are ideal for private sale. Alternatively, let the experts do the work through an auction or an online buyer.
To sell your vintage watch privately, you should have a good idea of what youâre selling. Be prepared to answer questions on serial numbers, origins, and their general condition. Itâs a good idea to get your watch valued, which may be free if itâs for sale value. Be mindful of getting valuations online, as photos donât always paint an accurate picture. You can sell online through platforms such as eBay, Facebook, and Gumtree. However, remember that some sites take a cut, which may be significant if itâs valuable. Thereâs also a significant time cost with these platforms. Often, you have to upload several quality photos of the item and write an accurate description of its condition and other details. Then, you need to decide on what category to post your ad in. It all adds up!
Auctions can be at a physical auction house or online. For the best sale, pick a specific vintage watch auction, where sellers will be more interested and pay more. Remember to get your watch valued first for an accurate reserve price. Auction houses charge fees, such as valuation, listing, reserve and final selling price fees. Make sure you research these before approaching the house.
The best place to sell vintage watches is somewhere convenient, with in-house expertise. Luckily, youâre in the right place! At Vintage Cash Cow, weâll buy a watch in any condition and appraise it individually. All you have to do is sign up for our free postage labels, package them up and send them to us. Sell your vintage watch quickly and easily with us
While the process for selling antique watches is similar, there are pitfalls to avoid. These are often extremely high value, and tracing their origins may be difficult.
Again, itâs important to get your antique watch valued. Antique watches in their original boxes, with a certificate of authenticity, are much easier to value. Selling antique watches can be risky. As theyâre not generally mass-produced, they are often unique and high value. More importantly, theyâre gold dust to fraudsters. Always wait for payment before sending, and ensure you photograph the watch in its packaging and on the post office scales. For sites like eBay or Gumtree, look for other watches similar to yours. This will help give you an idea of the price, but donât sell until others have sold. Get a few quotes if you want to sell to a collector, and do your research. A collector with a good knowledge of your watch is more likely to be genuine.
You can sell online or via an auction house, but be wary of the fees. High-value items, such as antique pocket watches, will cost more to sell. These fees are often difficult to understand as they may include valuation, listing, reserve, and final selling prices. Look around a few auction houses to see where youâll potentially get the best value. Finally, try to sell your antique watch at a dedicated auction. While there may be more competition for these antiques, there will also be more interest in your product. This avoids the risk of no sale and could see a potentially higher selling price.
For the best place to sell antique watches, speak to one of the experts at Vintage Cash Cow. Selling could not be easier â you can arrange everything online and have your watch personally valued by one of our team of experts. Weâll offer a cash price or send it back if youâre not happy with the quote. It really is the simplest method â no haggling, no hassle, and our service are completely free to use. Get started by requesting a free postage label and weâll insure the contents up to ÂŁ300. Or, if youâd prefer, we can even arrange a free door-to-door courier. Sell your antique watch securely with us today our trusted experts have years and years of experience, so they know when theyâve spotted something special. Just look at this rare coin we found in a box of vintage clutterâŠ
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