IWC x Watchfinder & Co. Trade-In Service Of Pre-Owned Watches
The business of pre-owned watches is booming, and many in the watch industry are looking for ways to enter the sector themselves. Genevan luxurious goods group Richemont has long been on board. IWC Schaffhausen has come up with a special service for its customers and all those who would like to become one. From now onwards, anyone can take a used watch that they are wanting to part with to a (German) IWC boutique and sell it. However, there are a few rules to this game that sellers have to watch out for.
Firstly, it’s not all about getting cash fast, as it were. Rather, it’s more about exchanging your watch for a new IWC watch. Those who are heartlessly leaving a vintage watch at home to gather dust, who would undoubtedly rather be wearing a Pilot, Ingenieur or Portugieser, should definitely take it to their nearest IWC Boutique as soon as possible.
Upon doing so, a salesperson at the boutique can give the seller a non-binding offer for the watch, before it goes for a more thorough check-up at the servicing centre. What is important to remember is that the watch should be no more than 25 years old – and from a well-known brand. When being valued, the watch is categorised by age, into 0-2, 2-5, 6-10 or 11-24 year-old category. In special cases, vintage watches can also be exchanged despite being over 25 years old, depending on the brand, the model and demand.
The creation of the trade-in service has been possible thanks to the second-hand watch specialist Watchfinder & Co., which has belonged to the Richemont Group since 2018, and recently revealed that it is planning to open its own boutique in Geneva. For an initial appraisal, the sales advisors don’t need the watch to be brought along. Rather, basic information such as brand, model, and condition are enough, thanks to an automatic databank that is able to give a rough estimate. Even watches without a box or papers can potentially be exchanged, regardless of whether the timepiece is first or second-hand. If the quote matches the seller’s expectations, the watch is then sent for a complete evaluation at the Watchfinder Service Centre in London, which has been certified by the manufacturers.
Finally, if everything is in order with the watch and its valuation, the seller can accept the offer directly as a down payment for the purchase of a new IWC watch – or else accept it as a voucher to be used at a future purchase or as a gift voucher. From the first estimate to the contractual trade-in, the process takes between one to two weeks.
The new trade-in service from IWC x Watchfinder & Co. is not about pushing for the best possible price, but rather about quickly, easily, and safely selling one’s watch. That way, it need not spend its life in drawers or boxes, but rather on the wrist where it belongs. After all, let’s be honest – how often do we hoard watches, jewellery and clothes at home simply because we just can’t tear ourselves away from them?
On a side note – the same service is already available at Panerai and Lange & Söhne in Dresden.
Chopard is introducing a new watch: the L.U.C XP IL Sarto Kiton timepiece. To create the wristwatch, Chopard collaborated with Italian tailor Kiton Ateliers. The ultra-thin creation is limited to 100 pieces and is presented on a slate-coloured cashmere strap lined with red alligator leather. The L.U.C XP IL Sarto Kiton is housed in a…
In Munich, the jewellery, watch and gemstone industry gathered for the annual Inhorgenta trade fair. As the industry's leading trade fair in Europe, it not only serves as a hub but also honours designers, concepts and pieces of jewellery with the Inhorgenta Award. This year, more than 137 entries were received for the nine award…
Since April of this year, visitors to the new IWC Schaffhausen boutique in Hamburg have been able to immerse themselves in the world of the Swiss watchmaker. Now the store, operated by jeweller Wempe, has officially opened – and it turns out that Swiss and Hanseatic virtues are a perfect match. ‘With the timeless design…
At this year's United Nations World Oceans Day, which took place online, Swiss watchmaker Blancpain served as the official presenting partner. The theme for 2021 was "The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods". Among others, those participating included the likes of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and actor Sam Waterson. Working with expeditions Ever since its…
Jaeger-LeCoultre's manufacture is tucked away in the lush green Vallée du Joux. Yet this November, the horology house went mobile with a new pop-up, starting its journey in the alpine city of Munich, Germany. Lasting almost two weeks from November 3 to 15, the Reverso Timeless Stories exhibition opened to the public, educating visitors about…
Fans of Audemars Piguet can now visit the horology house's brand new museum, the Musée Atelier, in Le Brassus. The museum, following its opening in June 2020, offers a chance to uncover the brand's heritage and craftsmanship, with over 300 watches on display. The Musée Atelier's architecture, designed by BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), is also…
Jörg G. Bucherer, Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Directors of Bucherer Holding AG, passed away on 6 November. The long-time Bucherer patron was 87 years old and leaves no children to carry on the business. In order to secure the future of his empire, Jörg G. Bucherer sold his company, founded in Lucerne…
When one hears the word Panerai, it evokes imagery of plunging into the ocean's depths, or circumnavigating the frozen Artic on ambitious expeditions. Recently, however, one Panerai watch found itself in a vastly different environment. On January 19, 2022, Anton Shkaplerov, while engaged on International Space Station Expedition 66, subtly strapped a Panerai watch to…
Rolex has updated its prices as usual on January 1st, with impressive variations depending on the material. This year, with the 2025 Rolex price list, there is some good news and bad news, and it all depends if you’re looking for a steel watch or a gold watch. Now we have the price list of…
Breguet will present the craftsmanship that goes into watchmaking at the Art Düsseldorf 2022 fair. In this way, the brand wants to emphasise the connection between mechanics and the arts in classic watchmaking. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the artisanal crafts in the halls of the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf from 8 to…
If you are looking for exquisite watches in Hamburg, there is no way around Neuer Wall, the most exclusive shopping street in the Hanseatic city centre. Next to luxury watch brands like Patek Philippe, Omega, Wempe, the recently opened AP House, and many others, the Swiss watchmaker Hublot is now also represented there with its…
Despite the socially distanced set-up, this year's Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2020 winners amazed us with just as many stunning watchmaking creations as usual. Take a break, pour yourself a drink, and get the lowdown on this year's showstoppers. The Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2020 Winners Firstly, the Grand Prix de l'Aiguille d'Or went…
Swiss watch brand TUDOR is introducing a new system for referencing supplied movements. For historical reasons, the manufacturer until recently used four-digit references for third-party movements. The new designations are intended to avoid confusion between manufacture movements and supplied calibers. The four-digit references that were previously used – such as 2671 – will be replaced by…