A verbal quote tells you what someone wants to pay. A written valuation explains what your watch is, what comparable pieces have sold for, and why the offer is what it is. That is the difference between a guess and a specialist assessment.
Most watch buyers offer a quote — a number with no explanation. They may say "we'll give you £1,800 for your Omega" without telling you which comparable sales they are drawing on, what condition factors have affected the number, or whether the reference they have identified is correct.
A written valuation does something different. It identifies your specific watch — not just "Omega Seamaster" but the exact reference, production era, movement calibre, dial variant. It compares recent completed sales of equivalent examples. It explains how the condition of the case, dial, bracelet, and movement has been assessed. And it sets out the offer as a reasoned conclusion, not an arbitrary number.
That matters because you can challenge a written valuation. You can show it to a family member or solicitor. You can use it as a reference point if you choose to sell elsewhere. A verbal quote vanishes the moment you leave the room.
For probate and estate purposes, a written valuation from a specialist provides documentation that verbal assessments cannot. If you are administering an estate and need to account for the value of watches, our written valuations can support that process.
A proper watch valuation considers far more than brand and model. Below are the factors we assess for every watch — each one can move the offer significantly.
The specific reference identifies the exact variant. Within any model line, references can differ by thousands of pounds.
Dial colour, bezel type, case material, and production-run details. A "Submariner" is not a price — it is a starting point.
Production year affects desirability. Transitional references, early serial ranges, and discontinued models often carry premiums.
Surface patina, lume plot integrity, text sharpness, and freedom from moisture damage. The dial is the first thing a buyer examines.
A refinished or replaced dial — even by the manufacturer — reduces value. Period-correct printing, ageing, and lume colour confirm originality.
Faded or cracked inserts can add character on vintage pieces but reduce value on modern ones. Correct bezels for the era matter.
Polishing removes metal and rounds crisp edges permanently. Unpolished cases with original surface finish are almost always more desirable.
Original bracelet, correct clasp, and full complement of links all add value. Stretch, replacement end-links, and aftermarket straps are noted.
Running status, accuracy, and whether the movement is complete. A non-running but intact movement is far more valuable than one with missing parts.
Documented servicing from authorised centres supports value. Undocumented or amateur servicing raises questions about part correctness.
Non-original hands, crowns, crystals, or dial elements are identified and reflected in the offer. Originality affects collectability directly.
A watch with all-original components — dial, hands, crown, bezel, bracelet — commands a premium over one with correct-era replacements.
Original inner and outer boxes add a premium for modern watches. For vintage, original boxes are rare and valued independently.
Original papers confirm provenance and purchase date. For some references, matching papers add a meaningful percentage to the offer.
Purchase receipts, service records, and known ownership history strengthen the case for authenticity and condition.
Limited production numbers, regional variants, and short production windows all affect scarcity. Rarity without demand does not equal value.
Collector interest shifts. Models once overlooked can become sought-after. Our valuations reflect current demand, not historical assumptions.
How quickly and reliably a watch sells at its assessed value. Highly liquid models (Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster) achieve tighter price ranges than niche references.
When you enquire or send photographs, we can provide an initial estimate — an indicative range based on what we can see. This is not a valuation; it is a starting point based on reference identification and visible condition.
The inspected valuation is the written report you receive after we physically examine your watch. This is where the 18 factors above are assessed in person: dial originality confirmed under magnification, case edges checked for polishing, movement condition verified, bracelet stretch measured. The inspected valuation is the figure we commit to — the initial estimate may move up or down once physical inspection reveals what photographs cannot.
This distinction matters because it protects both parties. We do not commit to a number we cannot verify, and you receive a valuation based on what the watch actually is — not what a photograph suggests it might be.
We accept any watch brand for valuation. The brands below represent the most common categories in the UK market, but we value everything from pocket watches to modern smart watches with collector interest.
Also: pocket watches, military watches, vintage dress watches, antique watches, and any watch you believe may have collector value.
Tell us the brand and approximate model. We send a free insured postage label by email within a few hours.
Pack carefully, photograph before posting. Covered to £5,000 during transit. Drop at any Post Office.
We identify the exact reference, assess all condition factors, compare current sales, and email you the written report.
Accept and receive payment in 72 hours. Decline and we return your watch fully insured, free of charge.
Consider the difference between these two scenarios. In the first, you take a watch to a buyer who looks at it briefly and says "I'll give you eight hundred." In the second, you receive a document that says: "This is an Omega Seamaster reference 2254.50, produced circa 1997. The dial is original, showing appropriate lume ageing. The case shows light surface scratches consistent with age and has not been polished. The bracelet is correct for the period but shows stretch. Recent completed sales of comparable examples range from £620–£860 on Chrono24 and £700–£950 in specialist auction. Taking into account the movement service due (estimated £180–£220 from a qualified watchmaker), we offer £680."
The second scenario is the only one in which you can make an informed decision. You know what comparable pieces have sold for. You know the specific factors that have affected the offer. You can research the comparable sales independently. And you have a document you can show to anyone who asks how the decision was made.
That is what we provide for every watch, regardless of value.
Written explanation of every figure. Free insured postage both ways. No obligation to sell. Any brand, any condition, any era.
Get a free valuation →Is your watch valuation free?
Yes — completely free. No charge for the written valuation, no charge for the insured postage label, and no charge to return your watch if you decline. The only time money changes hands is when you choose to accept the offer.
Am I obligated to sell after getting a valuation?
No. Many people use the valuation simply to understand what they have. If you decline, we return your watch fully insured, free of charge, no questions asked.
Can you value a watch from photographs?
Photographs can give an indicative range but not a reliable valuation. Dial originality, case condition, and movement function all require physical inspection. A photograph-based estimate is useful as a starting point; a physical inspection is what you need before any selling decision.
How long does the valuation take?
We aim to send your written valuation within 48 hours of your watch arriving with us. You will receive email confirmation when your parcel is received and again when the valuation is ready.
Do you value non-working watches?
Yes. A non-working watch still has value. The written valuation will explain how movement condition affects the offer. For vintage watches, a non-working but complete and original movement is often preferable to a watch that has been repaired with incorrect parts.
How is a specialist valuation different from looking on eBay?
eBay and Chrono24 show asking prices — not what buyers actually paid. The completed sales data used by specialists accounts for the gap between asking and selling price, and for condition factors that photographs often do not reveal.
Can I use your valuation for insurance purposes?
Our valuation reflects current market selling value — what a specialist buyer would pay today. Insurance valuations typically reflect retail replacement cost, which is higher. For insurance purposes, request a valuation specifically worded for insurance replacement from a qualified appraiser.
What if I disagree with the valuation?
Decline and have your watch returned at no cost. The written valuation shows its working — if you believe we have missed something, email us and we will review. This is only possible with a written valuation; a verbal quote cannot be challenged.
Brand valuations: Rolex watch valuation · Omega watch valuation
Sell your watch: Sell your watch · Sell my Rolex · Sell my Omega · Sell TAG Heuer · Sell broken watches · Luxury watch buyers
Specialist areas: Sell gold watches · Inherited watch collections · Sell watches in bulk · How it works