The horological journal.

Selling and Valuation Posts on the Blog

If you are thinking about selling, these blog posts explain what shapes an offer before you ask for one. None of them gives a price for your watch, because that depends on the individual piece, but they will help you understand the conversation and prepare the right paperwork. Read the post for your brand first, then the one on inherited watches if the piece has been passed down to you.

• Getting a Rolex Valued in the UK: the factors that move a Rolex valuation, from reference and condition to box and papers.
• Selling an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: why polishing and completeness matter so much for this model.
• Selling a Patek Philippe: what buyers check first on a Patek.
• Selling a Richard Mille in London: the details that matter on these technical watches.
• Selling a Cartier Watch: how collection, metal and condition shape an offer.
• Selling Inherited Watches: common pitfalls when a watch has been passed down.

When you are ready for an actual figure, our sell your watch page explains how we buy: directly for our own stock, with a free, no-obligation valuation and a quick initial view from photos on WhatsApp.

Buying and Authentication Posts

Buying a pre-owned watch is easier when you know what to look for. These posts cover first purchases, sizing, and the growing problem of convincing fakes, which is one reason every watch we sell is inspected and authenticated by experienced specialists before it is listed.

• Three Must-Dos When Buying Your First Rolex: a short checklist for first-time buyers.
• Why Fake Rolexes Are Harder to Spot: why counterfeits now catch out even experienced eyes.
• How to Spot a Fake Watch: the general warning signs, whatever the brand.
• Replica vs Authentic Watches: what separates the real thing from a copy.
• Understanding Watch Sizes: how case dimensions compare between Rolex and Richard Mille.
• Buying a Bust-Down Watch: what to check on a watch with aftermarket diamonds.

Rolex on the Blog: History, Models and Nicknames

Rolex has the largest share of the blog, and it is the name most people start with. Start with the history, then move on to individual models and the nicknames collectors use for them.

• The History of Rolex: how the company grew into the name everyone knows.
• The Rolex Model Line-Up: a tour of the main collections.
• Where the "Pepsi" Name Came From: the story behind the red and blue GMT-Master bezel.
• What Is the Rolex "Starbucks"?: the green-bezel Submariner explained.
• Rolex GMT-Master II "Sprite" 126720VTNR: a closer look at the left-handed GMT.
• The Legacy of the Rolex Deepsea: the dive watch built for extreme depths.
• The World of Rolex Dials: colour, materials and finishing.
• The Vintage "Paul Newman" Daytona: one of the most famous vintage chronographs.

If you want to read a Rolex listing with confidence, pair these blog posts with our guide to Rolex reference numbers, which explains what each part of a reference tells you.

Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Cartier and Hublot

Beyond Rolex, the blog covers the other five houses we focus on. These posts are a good way to understand what makes each one distinctive before you compare watches side by side. Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe are best known for their integrated-bracelet sports models, Richard Mille for lightweight technical cases, Cartier for shaped cases with a long design history, and Hublot for bold, modern materials.

• The Heritage of Audemars Piguet: the Le Brassus maker behind the Royal Oak.
• Patek Philippe Nautilus 5712 Review: the Nautilus with power reserve, moon phase and date.
• Why the Patek Philippe Cubitus Is Hard to Get: Patek's square-cased newcomer.
• The World of Richard Mille: a guide to the main model families.
• Regular vs Slim Richard Mille: how the thinner models differ.
• Why Cartier Watches Feel So Classic: design that has lasted more than a century.
• The History of Hublot: from gold and rubber to the Big Bang.

For the current collections straight from a manufacturer, the brand's own website is the place to look, for example Hublot's. Our blog focuses on the pre-owned side: how these watches wear, what to check, and how they are bought and sold.

Care and Everyday Wear

A luxury watch is made to be worn, and a little care keeps it looking and running as it should. These blog posts deal with the everyday side of ownership.

• Why It Is Crucial to Look After Your Rolex: routine care between services.
• How to Avoid Scratching Your Luxury Watch: simple habits that protect the case and bracelet.
• Why You Should Think Twice About the Sea: water resistance and real-world use.
• Watches and Jewellery on the Same Wrist: avoiding avoidable marks.
• Wearing Your Watch in Central London: sensible precautions in the city.

When a watch needs more than care at home, servicing, repairs and restoration are handled by Alpha Group, our sister business in the same building. See service and repairs for details.

Releases and Industry News on the Blog

Each year brings new models and retirements. Our news posts look at what changed and why it matters to people buying and selling pre-owned watches.

• Every New Rolex Released in 2025: the year's Rolex novelties.
• New Patek Philippe Models of 2025: Patek's releases at a glance.
• Luxury Watch Discontinuations in 2025: the models that left the catalogues.
• A Look Back at 2024: the year in watches.

Lighter Reading: Famous Watches and Collections

Not every blog post is about buying or selling. Some are simply good stories about remarkable watches and the people who wore them, and they are a pleasant way to learn how certain models earned their reputations. A few to start with:

• Who Was the First Person to Wear a Rolex?: an early chapter in the brand's story.
• The Royal Family's Watch Collection: watches worn by members of the Royal Family.
• Every Watch Worn in The Wolf of Wall Street: spotting the watches on screen.
• The Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime: the story of a record-breaking auction.

These posts are written for enjoyment rather than as buying advice, so treat them as background. If one of them sparks an interest in a particular model, the practical posts and guides on this page will help you take the next step.

Using the Blog Before You Sell

Reading about what shapes a valuation is a good start, but the next step is practical. Find the original box, the papers and any spare links, because a complete set is valued higher. Look out any service paperwork too. Then take clear photos of the dial, case back and clasp in good daylight, and send them to us on WhatsApp for a quick initial valuation.

There is no cost and no obligation. We buy directly for our own stock, so if you decide to go ahead, there is no consignment wait and no commission. Once a price is agreed and the watch is authenticated in person, payment is made by secure bank transfer, and the agreed price is what you receive.

Using the Blog Before You Buy

The buying posts above will tell you what to look for in general. When you move on to a specific listing in our shop, check three things: whether the box and papers are included, which every listing states; the warranty, which for pre-owned watches is 12 months from delivery unless the listing says otherwise; and the return window, which is 14 days for a full refund.

If something in a listing raises a question, ask us before you buy. Unless a listing says otherwise, every watch is physically held in stock, so you can book a private appointment at the showroom to see it. If you need a little time, a £100 deposit reserves a watch for 3 working days, and if the model you have been reading about isn't in stock, we can source it for you on request.

Watch Guides: Longer Reads Alongside the Blog

Blog posts are written for a moment; our guides are written to stay useful. If you want a structured explanation rather than a story, start with the watch guides, including buying a pre-owned Rolex and box and papers. Read a guide for the structure, then dip into the blog for the stories behind the models.

Blog FAQs

Does the blog give investment advice?

No. Posts that discuss values or the market are general background, not financial or investment advice. If you are buying or selling a particular watch, talk to us about that piece directly.

Do the prices in older posts still apply?

Not necessarily. Any figures in a blog post reflect the time it was written. For a current price, check the live listing in our shop; for a current valuation, contact us.

Does the blog only cover watches?

Mostly. The archive also includes some older posts on jewellery, diamonds and handbags, but watches from the six brands we deal in are the main focus.

Where should a first-time buyer start?

Read the first-Rolex checklist and the post on spotting fakes, then the pre-owned Rolex guide. After that, the best next step is to see a few watches on the wrist at a private appointment in our Hatton Garden showroom.

How do I find older blog posts?

The newest articles appear first in the list near the top of this page. Use the Load More button beneath them to keep scrolling back through the archive, or use the topic lists on this page to jump to a subject.

Can I suggest a topic for the blog?

Yes. If there is a model, reference or question you would like us to write about, message us on WhatsApp or use our contact page.

Questions after reading? Call 0330 043 7777 or message us on WhatsApp at +44 (0)7888 888835. Whether you are buying, selling or simply curious, we are happy to talk watches.