Used Watches: How to Shop for a Pre-Owned Watch in Orange County & Surrounding Areas
Shopping for Used Watches or a Pre-Owned Luxury Watch in Orange County
Shopping for used watches can feel like a daunting task at first. With so many variables, knowing what to look for when searching for the perfect pre-owned watch can be tricky at first. But if executed properly, there are many benefits to buying used watches.
With over 35 years buying, selling and trading used watches in Southern California, we’ve been able to put together a list of do’s & don’ts to help you with your search. Let’s explore how to find the best used watches and watch stores in Orange County & surrounding areas.
How Does the Watch Store Acquire their Used Watches?
Come shop the largest selection of used watches in Orange County
Most savvy watch buyers are elated to find a watch store that sells pre-owned watches. For many, buying a used watch is like buying a used car. Some pre-owned watches have been cared for so well you can’t tell they’re not new.
A good place to start is by finding out how the used watch store acquires their timepieces. Find out if they’ve got a long lasting reputation in the industry and community, and whether the watches come from reputable sources. The last thing you want is to buy a used watch and to find out it wasn’t taken care of.
Does the Watch Store Service & Restore their Used Watches?
Make sure your shop restores their timepieces the RIGHT way.
Because there are so many watch dealers in Orange County, you’ve got to make sure you’re doing your homework. Find out if the used watch store has an in-house watchmaker. Furthermore, find out if they service the used watches they sell. If you want to buy a vintage watch, find out their watchmaker restored it to OEM specs. Of course, some people don’t want them to get rid of the coveted patina or character, you simply want to make sure the movement is properly-tuned.
A good used watch store should have an in-house master watchmaker who knows the ins-and-outs of watch movement. Therefore, the watch store should service the used watches they sell and restore vintage watches to their manufacturer’s specs.
Does the Watch Store Offer a Warranty on Used Watches?
Make sure your pre-owned watch is backed by a warranty.
Find out if the watch store offers a warranty on their pre-owned watches. When buying a new watch, the manufacturer will usually provide the service warranty. Unfortunately, on some used watches, the manufacturer’s warranty may not still be active.
A warranty on your used watch will also ensure that the pre-owned watch store stands behind their product. Many used watch stores in Orange County don’t offer warranties or offer limited warranties on used watches. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to ask about the pre-owned watch warranty before even trying a watch on.
Research Before Buying Used Watches: What is the Pre-Owned Watch Store’s Reputation?
In today’s world of online reviews and customer feedback, it goes without saying you should do your research before buying a used watch in Orange County. Websites like Yelp and search engines like Google offer a place where customers can leave reviews for businesses. Before buying a pre-owned watch from a watch store or jeweler, check out their online reviews.
Find out if the pre-owned watch dealer has a good reputation and upholds its promise to their customers. It’s important to read a few reviews before your used watch purchase because every watch store will have a different return policy. Furthermore, you’ll feel better about buying a used watch from a reputable watch store. Finally, ask a lot of questions. Find out if the store’s used watches come with a box & papers, certificate/card, original tools, etc.
Watch & Wares is the Best Place to Buy Used Watches in Orange County
Watch & Wares has been buying selling and trading used watches in Orange County for over 35 years. Because of our experience, we’ve been able to take the headache out of buying a used watch in Orange County. We’ve got a reputation as the best place to buy a pre-owned watch in Southern California for many reasons:
- 2 year warranty on all contemporary used watches / 1 year on all vintage watches
- Pre-Owned Watches are serviced & restored to OEM specs by an in-house master watchmaker
- Our Master Watchmaker was a former Rolex Technician and knows his movements
- We acquire our pre-owned watches from reputable sources and most are like-new
- We provide a box & papers for most of our used watches for sale
- Our reviews don’t lie – 5 stars on Yelp and 100% Feedback on eBay since the early 90’s
- We have the largest selection of used watches in Southern California
- Take advantage of our 12 month layaway – make monthly interest-free payments
Watch & Wares Carries All Major Brands of Used Watches & Pre-Owned Watches
Because we believe any used watch store worth their salt should have a large inventory, we’ve invested decades into collecting only the best used watches in Southern California. Our pre-owned watch collection spans many decades, and we work hard to ensure a great customer experience.
Our owner, William Houchin has spent his life collecting, buying and selling the finest pre-owned timepieces from all major watch brands. Watch & Wares has it all: from pre-owned Rolex watches to vintage Patek Philippe. Furthermore, every used watch we sell is secured with a warranty and pre-purchase service.
We carry pre-owned watches in Orange County from the following brands:
- Rolex
- Breitling
- Cartier
- Panerai
- Omega
- Tag Heuer
- Patek Philippe
- Bell & Ross
- Audemars Piguet
- Franc Vila
- Ulysse Nardin
- IWC
- Roger Dubuis
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Breguet
- Glashutte
- Longines
- Tudor
- Corum
- Hamilton and more!
Come see us at our new location in the Orange Circle and try on Southern California’s largest collection of used watches. Call us at 714-633-2030 or stop in and try on some watches today! Of course, if you’d like to send us a message, simply reach out using our handy contact form!
If you’d like to sell your used watch in Orange County, you can also visit our Tustin Location!
