Kings & Queens Watches is an independent London luxury watch dealer specialising in pre-owned and unworn watches, based in Hatton Garden. We buy, sell, exchange and value luxury watches, and source pieces from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, Cartier and F.P.Journe, from our showroom and for clients across the UK.
Choosing a London luxury watch dealer
London offers a wide choice of places to buy a fine watch: brand boutiques, authorised retailers, independent dealers, auction houses and private sellers online. They work in different ways, and the right choice depends on what you want, whether that is a new watch from a brand's current collection, a discontinued reference, a watch you can wear this week, or a straightforward way to sell.
| Where you buy | What it suits | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Brand boutique or authorised retailer | New watches from the brand's current collection, with the manufacturer's warranty | Availability; popular models can involve a wait |
| Independent dealer | Pre-owned, unworn and discontinued watches that are available now | Stock held, authentication, warranty, box and papers |
| Auction house | Rare and vintage pieces | Condition reports, buyer's fees and limited time to inspect |
| Private seller | Occasional one-off finds | Authenticity, ownership and payment risk, with little recourse |
Kings & Queens is an independent dealer. We are not an authorised dealer for any brand, we are not part of Rolex Certified Pre-Owned, and we are not affiliated with any watch brand. If you want a new watch from a brand's own network, Rolex and the other manufacturers list their official retailers on their websites. If you want a pre-owned or unworn watch that you can see, check and buy now, that is what an independent London luxury watch dealer is for.
7 checks before you choose a London luxury watch dealer
Whoever you buy from, the same questions separate a careful dealer from a risky one. Ask them before you pay, and expect clear answers:
- Is the watch physically in stock? Unless a listing says otherwise, every watch we sell is held in stock and available for inspection before dispatch.
- How has it been authenticated? Each of our watches is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists before it is offered for sale, and its serial number, bracelet number, movement identifiers and case markings are recorded.
- Does it come with box and papers? Every listing states whether the watch comes with its box and papers, so there are no surprises when it arrives.
- What warranty is included? Pre-owned watches carry our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. New watches are covered by the manufacturer's warranty.
- Can you return it? You have 14 days to return a watch for a full refund, paid to the original payment method once the watch is returned and inspected.
- Is there a real address? A London luxury watch dealer should have a showroom you can visit. Ours is at 9 St. Cross Street, Hatton Garden, by appointment.
- What do other clients say? Read independent reviews. Customers rate us five stars on Google, and you can see more on our reviews page.
One more sign of a careful dealer may feel like a hurdle: verification. For fraud prevention, we may ask for identity or payment verification before dispatch, and we ship only to verified addresses. A London luxury watch dealer that checks who it is dealing with is protecting both sides of the sale.
New, unworn and pre-owned: what the terms mean
Listings from any London luxury watch dealer tend to use the same three words, and it helps to know what each one covers before you compare prices or warranties.
- New usually means a watch from the brand's current collection, sold with the manufacturer's warranty. Where a watch is still within that warranty, the manufacturer's terms apply.
- Unworn describes a watch that has been sold at retail but not worn, often still with its protective stickers and complete set.
- Pre-owned covers any watch that has been worn by a previous owner, from barely used to well loved. Condition, completeness and service history vary, which is why the details on the listing matter.
Whichever you choose, read the listing closely. Ours always state whether the box and papers are included, and pre-owned pieces carry our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery unless the listing says otherwise.
Warning signs when buying a watch in London
Most sellers are honest, but the luxury watch market attracts fakes, stolen watches and payment scams. A few warning signs apply whether you are dealing with a private seller, an online marketplace or a London luxury watch dealer you have not used before:
- A price that seems far below what similar watches sell for, with pressure to decide quickly
- Only stock photographs, or a refusal to send extra pictures or a video of the actual watch
- No address you can visit, or reluctance to let you inspect the watch before you pay
- Vague answers about the box, papers, serial number or service history
- Requests to pay in unusual ways, or to a different name from the seller's
- No written warranty or returns policy
If something feels wrong, walk away. A watch that is genuine and correctly described will still be genuine after you have asked your questions, and a London luxury watch dealer with nothing to hide will welcome them. Our guide to buying a pre-owned Rolex goes into more detail on what to check.
Buy a luxury watch
Unless a listing says otherwise, every watch in our collection is physically held in stock. Each one is inspected and authenticated by experienced watch specialists, and comes with a 12-month warranty on pre-owned pieces. Whether it includes its original box and papers is always stated on the listing.
Buying from a London luxury watch dealer can work in whichever way suits you. Many clients browse online, shortlist two or three watches and book a private viewing to see them side by side. Others buy online and have the watch delivered. If a watch you like is not in stock, we can source a specific reference for you on request, and a £100 deposit reserves a watch for 3 working days while you arrange a visit.
Sell your watch
We buy watches directly for our own stock rather than as brokers, and we will give you a free, no-obligation valuation. You can sell outright and be paid within 24 hours, bring the watch to our Hatton Garden showroom, or send it to us fully insured. For a quick first figure, message us photographs of the watch, its dial and its box and papers on WhatsApp.
Selling to a London luxury watch dealer or selling privately
There are several ways to sell a watch in London, and each trades speed, effort and risk differently. A private sale means advertising, answering messages, meeting strangers and handling a large payment yourself. Consignment and auction can take time, and you wait for a buyer before you are paid. Selling directly to a dealer is usually the simplest route: you agree a price, the watch is checked, and you are paid.
When you sell to us, there is no consignment and no broker in the middle. Once a price is agreed and the watch has been authenticated in person, payment is made by secure bank transfer. There are no hidden fees or commission, so the agreed price is what you receive. Bring the watch with its box, papers and any spare links, because a complete set is valued higher.
What a London luxury watch dealer offers for a watch depends on the reference, its condition, whether it comes with its box and papers, and how much demand there is for that model at the time. A good dealer will explain how those factors apply to your watch rather than simply naming a figure.
Why box and papers matter
The box and papers are the documents and packaging a watch was originally sold with, typically the presentation box, the warranty card or certificate, and the instruction booklets. Together with any spare bracelet links, they make up what is often called a complete set. Papers help confirm a watch's identity and history, and a complete set is valued higher when you sell.
A watch without papers is not necessarily a problem, but it should be described honestly and priced to reflect it. A good London luxury watch dealer tells you exactly what is included before you buy. You can read more in our guide to box and papers.
Part exchange
Use the value of the watch you own towards your next one in a single transaction. If your watch is worth more than the one you are buying, we pay you the difference. How part exchange works.
Part exchange with a London luxury watch dealer suits anyone who wants to change watches without selling one privately and then shopping for the next. You can bring your watch to a viewing, see it valued, and compare it directly with the watch you are considering. It also works the other way round: if you have found the watch you want online, send photos of yours on WhatsApp for a quick initial figure before you visit.
Valuations
Our valuations are based on what watches are achieving in the current market. We also provide the written valuations insurers ask for. If you are deciding whether to sell, part exchange or simply insure a watch, a free, no-obligation valuation is a sensible first step. Request a valuation.
Servicing
Servicing and repairs are carried out by our sister workshop, Alpha Group, in the same building at 9 St. Cross Street. Service & Repairs.
Sourcing a specific watch
Sometimes the watch you want is not on any website. A particular dial, a discontinued reference or a specific year can take some finding, and this is where working with a London luxury watch dealer helps. We source specific watches for clients on request.
Tell us the reference, the dial and bracelet you want, and how much the box and papers matter to you. The more precise the brief, the easier it is to say what is realistic. When we find a watch that matches, it goes through the same inspection and authentication as everything else we sell before it is offered to you.
Why clients choose an independent dealer
An independent London luxury watch dealer can offer things a brand boutique is not set up for: watches that are available now rather than on a waiting list, discontinued references, and the option to sell or part exchange in the same place you buy. With us, that comes with physical stock, recorded identifiers, a written warranty on pre-owned watches, free insured UK delivery and a 14-day return window, all from a showroom you can visit by appointment.
Buying from a London luxury watch dealer when you live elsewhere
You don't need to live in London to buy from us. UK delivery is free, fully insured and signed for, and we ship internationally on most orders. Orders are prepared within 2 to 3 working days of payment clearing, which allows time for final quality checks, verification and secure packaging, and you receive tracking once the watch is on its way.
Buying at a distance is where the checks above matter most. Ask for extra photos or a video of the exact watch, confirm what comes with it, and read the warranty and returns terms before you pay. With us, you have 14 days to return a watch for a full refund, and pre-owned watches carry our 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery unless the listing says otherwise.
What happens at a viewing
If you would like to see a watch first, all viewings are by appointment, so the visit is private and uninterrupted. Appointments cover viewing and buying, selling or part exchanging, sourcing a specific watch and general consultations. Our showroom is in Hatton Garden, which has been London's jewellery quarter for well over a century and is the centre of the UK diamond trade; you can read about the area on Wikipedia.
Seeing a watch in person is also the simplest way to judge a London luxury watch dealer, as well as the watch itself. Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations are both a short walk away. For directions, what to bring and tips for your appointment, see our guide to visiting our Hatton Garden showroom.
Buying with confidence
Any London luxury watch dealer should be able to back up its promises in writing. These are ours.
- Inspected and authenticatedEvery watch is checked by experienced specialists, with serial numbers and components verified before it is offered.
- 12-month warrantyPre-owned pieces carry a 12-month warranty against movement defects. Unworn watches carry the manufacturer's own cover.
- Fully insured deliveryFree, fully insured and signed-for delivery across the UK.
- 14-day returnsFourteen days to change your mind from the day your watch arrives. We cover the return postage.
London luxury watch dealer FAQs
Are you an authorised dealer?
No. Kings & Queens is an independent London luxury watch dealer. We are not an authorised dealer for any brand, not part of Rolex Certified Pre-Owned, and not affiliated with any watch brand.
Is every watch on your website in stock?
Unless a listing says otherwise, every watch is physically held in stock and available for inspection before dispatch.
Do your watches come with box and papers?
Every listing states whether the watch comes with its box and papers, so you know exactly what you are buying.
What warranty do you give?
Pre-owned watches come with a 12-month mechanical warranty from delivery, unless the listing says otherwise. New watches are covered by the manufacturer's warranty, and where a watch is still within a manufacturer's warranty, the manufacturer's terms apply.
Can I return a watch?
Yes. You have 14 days to return a watch for a full refund. The refund goes to the original payment method once the watch has been returned and inspected. See delivery and returns.
How do I sell my watch to you?
Send photos on WhatsApp for a quick initial valuation, then bring the watch to our showroom or send it fully insured. Once a price is agreed and the watch is authenticated in person, we pay by secure bank transfer, with no hidden fees or commission.
Can you find a watch that isn't in your collection?
Yes. We source specific watches for clients on request. Tell us the reference and what matters to you, from dial to completeness, and we will let you know what we can find.
Where is your showroom in London?
9 St. Cross Street, Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8UB. Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations are both a short walk away, and all viewings are by appointment.
Can I see a watch before buying it online?
Yes. Book a private viewing at our Hatton Garden showroom. If you need time to arrange a visit, a £100 deposit reserves the watch for 3 working days.
Visit us
Opening times
- Monday to Friday
- 10:30am to 5:30pm
- Saturday
- 12:00pm to 4:30pm
- Sunday
- Closed
