Luxury watch valuation.

What your valuation includes

Every valuation follows the same steps, whether the watch is a steel Rolex Datejust or a Richard Mille. We identify the exact reference, check the condition, take account of what comes with it, and explain the figure in plain English.

• Identification of the brand, model, reference and approximate year
• A condition assessment covering the case, dial, crystal and bracelet or strap
• A note of what comes with the watch: box, papers, spare links and service records
• A clear figure, with the reasoning behind it explained to you
• Authentication in person before any offer becomes final

The valuation is the same whether you go on to sell the watch to us, part exchange it, or simply keep it. There is no charge and no pressure to decide on the spot.

What affects a watch valuation

Two watches with the same name can be valued very differently. These are the factors that move the figure most, in roughly the order we look at them.

Reference and generation. A model name covers many references over many years. A ceramic-bezel Rolex, for example, is valued differently from its aluminium-bezel predecessor, and a discontinued reference can behave differently from the current one. The reference on your warranty card or certificate is the most useful single piece of information you can give us.

Dial variant. Dial colour and type often matter more than owners expect. Certain colours, limited editions and factory gem-set dials are valued on their own terms, while an aftermarket or refinished dial reduces value considerably.

Condition and polishing. Honest wear is expected on a watch that has been enjoyed. Heavy polishing is the bigger concern, because it rounds off sharp case edges and lugs, and the metal it removes cannot be replaced. If you are tempted to have scratches taken out before your valuation, please don't.

Bracelet stretch. Years of wear loosen the pins and links of a metal bracelet so that it sags on the wrist. We check how much play there is, because a stretched bracelet may need parts and affects how the watch looks and wears.

Box and papers. The warranty card or certificate links the serial number to the watch. A complete set with box, papers and spare links is valued higher, although we still buy watches without them. Our box and papers guide explains what each item adds.

Service history and original parts. A documented service by the manufacturer adds confidence. If parts such as the dial, hands or bezel were replaced during a service, bringing the originals along can lift the valuation.

Valuations for the brands we deal in

We value and buy watches from the six brands we specialise in. Each has its own priorities, so here is what we look at first.

Rolex. The reference and serial number come first, followed by the bezel, dial and bracelet. Rolex shows its current collection on rolex.com, which can help you match your watch to a current model. Our Rolex selling page and our guide What Is My Rolex Worth? go into more detail.

Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe. On the Royal Oak, Nautilus and Aquanaut, the crisp contrast between brushed and polished surfaces is central to the design, so case finishing carries extra weight in the valuation. The Patek Philippe certificate of origin is especially important.

Richard Mille, Cartier and Hublot. For Richard Mille, the exact reference and case material define the watch, and a complete set matters a great deal. For Cartier and Hublot, we look closely at the model, size, metal and any gem-setting, together with the papers.

Getting an accurate valuation from photographs

Good photos let us give you a quick initial valuation that is close to our final figure. Daylight works far better than a flash.

1. Photograph the dial straight on, with the time set so the hands do not hide any markings.
2. Take both sides of the case so we can see the lugs, crown and any polishing.
3. Show the caseback and the clasp, including any engravings or signatures.
4. Lay out the box, papers, spare links and service records together and photograph them.
5. Photograph the warranty card or certificate, covering personal details if you prefer.
6. Send everything on WhatsApp with the reference number and the year of purchase.

Valuation in person at our Hatton Garden showroom

For the most accurate figure, bring the watch to us. Our showroom is at 9 St. Cross Street, Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8UB, a short walk from Farringdon and Chancery Lane stations. Every valuation appointment is private, so you have our full attention and nobody else in the room. We are open Monday to Friday from 10:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm, closed on Sunday.

At the appointment we authenticate the watch, recording its serial number and case markings and checking the movement, then talk you through what we have found. Hatton Garden has been London's jewellery quarter for well over a century, and it remains the centre of the UK diamond trade. To book, call 0330 043 7777 or use our contact page.

Valuation if you cannot visit

If you live outside London, you can still get a full valuation. Start with photos on WhatsApp for an initial figure. If you are happy to proceed, you can send the watch to us fully insured; once it arrives and has been authenticated, we confirm the offer, and payment is made by secure bank transfer when you accept.

After your valuation: sell or part exchange

Once you have a figure, there are two ways forward. You can sell the watch to us outright, in which case the agreed price is exactly what you receive. Or you can use it towards another watch from our stock: in a part exchange, its value is offset against the watch you are buying in a single transaction, and if your watch is worth more, we pay you the difference. If the watch you want is not in stock, we can source specific watches on request.

Either way, take your time. A valuation does not commit you to anything, and you are welcome to think it over before you decide. Our selling page explains the outright sale process in more detail.

Valuation FAQs

Is the valuation really free?

Yes. There is no charge for a valuation, whether it is an initial figure from photos or a full assessment at our showroom, and you are under no obligation to sell or part exchange afterwards.

Will my online valuation change when you see the watch?

If the photos and details are accurate, the figure should hold. The final offer depends on authenticating the watch in person, so anything that photos cannot show, such as a stretched bracelet or a replaced part, may affect it.

Do I need the box and papers for a valuation?

No. We value and buy watches without them. A complete set is valued higher, so bring whatever you have, including spare links and service records.

Do you charge commission or fees?

No. We buy for our own stock, so there are no hidden fees or commission. The price we agree is the amount you receive.

Is this the same as an insurance valuation?

No. The free valuation described here is a buying valuation: what we would pay for your watch today. An insurance valuation is normally based on the cost of replacing the watch, which is a different figure produced for a different purpose.

Can you value a watch I have inherited?

Yes. We assess an inherited watch exactly as we would any other, and we are happy to talk the family through the figure before anyone decides what to do. Bring whatever came with it, even if that is only an old receipt. If you need a formal document for an estate, read our article on watch valuation for probate first, as that is a different process.

Should I polish or service my watch before a valuation?

No. Polishing can lower the value, and a service is rarely worth arranging just to sell. Our sister business Alpha Group, in the same building, handles servicing and repairs, so we can judge the cost of any work and account for it openly.

Kings & Queens Watches is an independent dealer and is not affiliated with any watch brand.