Both let you sell a watch by post in the UK without visiting a shop. This is our own, independent comparison — written to help you weigh the two routes and ask the right questions before you send anything.
Fair Vintage is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by WeBuyAnyWatch. Names are used only to compare services.
Selling a watch used to mean a trip to a dealer or an auction room. Postal buyers changed that: you request a label, send the watch insured, and receive an offer without leaving home. Fair Vintage and WeBuyAnyWatch both work broadly this way, and both are legitimate options. The right choice depends on what you are selling and what matters most to you.
The honest summary is this. WeBuyAnyWatch is a watch specialist — if a watch is the only thing you are selling, it is sensible to get a quote from a dedicated watch buyer. Fair Vintage is a specialist postal buyer across categories — watches, but also jewellery, coins, silver, cameras and mixed collections — and every parcel is opened and documented with a written valuation for each item. If your watch sits alongside other pieces, one insured parcel can cover them all.
Service terms change. The details below reflect Fair Vintage's own published process and general, publicly described features of watch-buying services. Before sending a watch to any buyer, confirm their current postage, insurance, payment and return terms with them directly and in writing.
| What to compare | Fair Vintage | A dedicated watch buyer |
|---|---|---|
| What they buy | Watches plus jewellery, coins, silver, cameras and mixed collections | Typically watches only — confirm which brands and types |
| Getting a first figure | Free preliminary estimate from a photo before you send | Usually an online form or quote, sometimes followed by a call |
| Postage | Free prepaid, tracked label emailed to you | Often free postage — confirm the courier and cover |
| Transit insurance | Insured to £5,000 both ways as standard | Varies — ask the exact insured limit before sending |
| How condition is recorded | Parcel opened and documented, saved and time-stamped | Usually assessed in-house — ask what record you receive |
| The offer | Written valuation per item, with the reasoning explained | A final offer after inspection — ask if reasoning is given |
| Payment | Bank transfer within 72 hours, or +3% added | Commonly bank transfer — confirm the timing |
| If you decline | Returned free, fully insured, within 5 working days | Ask whether return postage and insurance are free |
| Commission or fees | None on what you sell | Confirm there are no deductions from the offer |
The right-hand column describes the general model of postal watch-buying services rather than any single company's confirmed terms. We have not independently verified WeBuyAnyWatch's current terms; please check them directly.
There is a real case for a dedicated watch buyer. If you own a single modern luxury watch — a current Rolex, Omega or similar with box and papers — a specialist that focuses only on watches may have deep, up-to-the-minute pricing for that exact reference, and a fast, streamlined process built entirely around watches. It is always worth getting more than one quote, and a watch specialist should be one of them.
Fair Vintage tends to suit sellers who want two things: a written explanation of every figure, and the ability to send more than just a watch. Because we run separate specialist desks and open parcels on camera, you can send a watch together with a ring, a handful of coins or a piece of silver, and receive one itemised valuation covering everything. You then accept or decline each item on its own, with anything declined returned free and insured.
Ask both buyers the same questions, get the answers in writing, and compare like for like. A good buyer will be happy to put its terms in front of you before you post anything.
Call us on 01234 815116 or email support@fairvintage.co.uk.
Get a free estimate →No. Fair Vintage is an independent UK postal buyer and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to WeBuyAnyWatch. This page is our own comparison, written to help you decide which route suits your watch. WeBuyAnyWatch is a trademark of its owner. Always confirm the current terms of any buyer with them directly before you send anything.
The clearest difference is scope. WeBuyAnyWatch focuses on watches. Fair Vintage buys watches too, but also handles mixed collections across categories such as jewellery, coins, silver and cameras, and opens and documents every parcel with a written valuation per item. If you only have a watch, both are worth a quote. If you have a watch alongside other pieces, one insured parcel to Fair Vintage can cover the lot.
Check five things in writing: whether postage is free and how much transit insurance is included, whether you get a written valuation with reasoning or a single take-it-or-leave-it figure, how and when you are paid, whether you can decline and have the watch returned free, and whether there is any commission or deduction. Ask both buyers the same questions and compare the answers side by side.
Fair Vintage emails a free prepaid, tracked label. Your parcel is insured to 5,000 pounds from the moment the courier scans it, both to us and on the way back if you decline. For higher-value watches we can discuss the arrangements before you post. Confirm any competing service's insurance limit before sending a valuable watch.
With Fair Vintage, no. You receive a written valuation and decide item by item. Anything you decline is returned free and fully insured within 5 working days, and there is no commission. Check the return terms and any time limits of any other buyer before you send your watch.
Send a photo for a free preliminary estimate. Every watch valued individually, in writing. Opened and documented. Paid within 72 hours. Anything you decline comes back free.