What we buy · Watches
Almost Never a Metal Question
A watch is worth what the watch market says, which usually has nothing to do with the gold in the case.
Unhurried, itemized, and with a written record. Bring the co-executor, the attorney, or whoever else needs to see it.
2004
Buying precious metals in South Florida since
Itemized
Every item weighed and priced separately, in front of you
Written
A record the estate can put in the file
No pressure
Take the offer away. It will still be there
Melting a watch is usually the wrong answer
For most watches with any brand recognition, the market value substantially exceeds the metal value — sometimes by an order of magnitude. Selling a recognizable watch to a metals buyer is almost always leaving money behind, and we would rather say that than take it.
The gap can be very large. A recognizable watch in gold might carry a few hundred dollars of metal and a market value many times that, and the difference is entirely in the brand, the reference and the condition. A metals buyer weighing it is not making an offer on the watch at all.
What matters on a watch
- Brand, model and reference number.
- Box and papers, which can be a large share of the value.
- Condition, and whether it has been over-polished.
- Whether it runs, which matters less than people assume.
- Originality of parts, which matters more than people assume.
Finding the box and papers
They are rarely with the watch. Look in filing cabinets, safes, wardrobes and anywhere insurance documents are kept, because the papers frequently went in with the valuation and the box went into storage.
On many watches a complete set is worth substantially more than the watch alone, and reuniting them takes an afternoon of looking. It is worth doing before anybody is asked for a price.
How we handle it
- 01Identify the watch before discussing any number.
- 02Tell you plainly when it should go to a watch specialist.
- 03Buy only where metal genuinely is the right measure.
- 04Provide a written record either way.
Find the box and papers before you sell anything. They are frequently in a different drawer from the watch, and on many pieces the complete set is worth substantially more than the watch alone.
Said plainly
Where we stop
We are not watch dealers. For most branded watches we will point you to a specialist, because buying one at metal value would be taking advantage of somebody who did not know.
FAQ
Common questions
- Should we sell a watch for its gold?
- Almost never. Market value usually exceeds metal value substantially.
- Do box and papers matter?
- Considerably. Look for them before selling anything.
- Does it matter if it does not run?
- Less than people assume. Originality matters more.
- Will you buy watches?
- Only where metal genuinely is the right measure. Otherwise we point you to a specialist.
For executors
Authority to Sell
Being named in a will is not the same as being appointed, and selling before appointment can create a genuine problem.
Explore →
Records & Accounting
An executor accounts to beneficiaries and to the court. A receipt that says "assorted jewelry" is not an account.
Explore →
Beneficiaries
Most estate arguments about jewelry are not about money. They are about somebody finding out afterwards.
Explore →
Timing
Executors frequently feel pressure to resolve things quickly. On jewelry, very little of that pressure is real.
Explore →
The Irreversible Decisions
Almost everything in an estate can be reconsidered. These five cannot, so they deserve the extra minute.
Explore →
More what we buy
Gold Jewelry
Most inherited gold jewelry is worth its metal content. A meaningful minority is worth considerably more, and telling them apart is the whole job.
Explore →
Sterling Flatware & Hollowware
The canteen nobody wants and nobody wants to throw away. Usually worth real money as metal, occasionally worth more as a set.
Explore →
Coins & Bullion
An inherited coin box usually contains bullion, which is worth its metal, and collectible coins, which are worth whatever a collector will pay.
Explore →
Next step
Run it both ways before you decide.
No credit check and no obligation. Tell us what you hold and what the money is for, and if selling is the better answer for your situation you will be told that first.