Learn Where To Buy Watches Online (Recommended Retailers)

Want to be the most knowledgeable watch collector in town? First, you need to know where to buy watches online.

Here’s how to buy a watch: research different brands, set a budget, and choose a style that suits your personality and lifestyle. The online market for luxury watches is a vast, never-ending sea of options, isn’t it? The most reliable in the world is a drop in the ocean!

Luckily, you don’t need to whittle your list down to one single retailer. You just need to know who you can and can’t trust. Eventually, you’ll have a handful of online luxury watch retailers you can rely on. Then you can pick and choose between them. 

If one online stockist doesn’t sell the watch you want, you try the next one down your list. Trust me, shopping for watches online is so much fun when you get the hang of it.

Here’s how to avoid getting stung, ripped off, or scammed when buying watches online. Know who to trust, and you may even find watches in unexpected places! 

How To Find the Best Place To Buy Watches Online

Finding watches in unexpected places can lead to discovering unique timepieces that add a special touch to your collection. When checking out the best place to buy the best men’s watches online, the key thing to do is to read the “About Us” section. Every trusted online watch retailer should have one of these. Is the company an authorized dealer of several reputable brands? Are they official stockists or grey market dealers? 

Bear in mind that grey market dealers are not the same as companies selling counterfeit watches. They may not be authorized dealers of certain watches, but it’s entirely legal for them to sell them. 

Remember, a genuine company will want to share its story and strike up an instant connection with the consumer.

Look for information like how long the company has been going and whether it has any recognized sponsors or affiliations. 

You can also check a retailer’s credibility by looking at galleries and images of the watches they sell. Are the images clear? Always check out customer reviews, too.

They can give you great insight into how the company operates and its standards in customer service. 

Where To Buy Watches Online 

So, it’s time to start adding names to your list. Follow this guide on where to buy watches online, starting with one of the most well-known.

Amazon

Yes, Amazon — the place where you can buy every gadget and gizmo you could imagine. But it’s also where you can stumble upon some excellent watch deals. 

Amazon is an authorized dealer of budget brands like Timex and Seiko, but here’s the thing. You can also buy Omega watches and Rolex watches from Amazon.

It may not be the most natural choice, but you can buy watches from Amazon. It may not stock the latest Seamaster or Submariner you want, either. 

However, Amazon’s refund and returns policy is exceptionally solid. Delivery is fast, too, so there’s no holding onto your money for days without updates. 

The added bonus is that some watch companies run shops within the Amazon platform. Either way, whether you buy a budget or a high-end watch, you can anticipate professionalism at Amazon. 

Jomashop

I talked about grey market dealers earlier. Jomashop and Ashford are both grey market dealers. They sell offloaded watches from official stockists for cheaper prices, and they’re completely legit. 

Jomashop can save you a lot of money. Some watches it stocks sell for around 60% cheaper than AD prices. 

At Jomashop, you can peruse everything from Seiko to Patek Philippe, Cartier, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Audemars Piguet! 

Just remember that you might not get the guarantee and warranty you’d get from buying directly with a watch brand or AD. Jomashop gets around this by offering its own guarantees, though. 

Crown & Caliber 

You can trade, sell, or make a purchase with Crown & Caliber. The easy-to-use website will guide you through the appropriate process you require, but it’s not just a business. 

Crown & Caliber is a detailed and reliable information source for many horologists. You can follow guides and tips when researching what to look for in a watch.

There are buying guides, too, not to mention informative pieces on watch brand history and an array of connoisseur topics. 

If you don’t know what you want, Crown & Caliber is a great starting point for beginners. It doesn’t just have a vast selection of timepieces to choose from. It also has all the literature you might need about the hobby of collecting watches. 

Theo & Harris

Finding a reliable online watch stockist is one thing. Finding a reputable dealer in pre-owned watches is another. With pre-owned, there are many other risks to consider when trusting an online business with your money. Theo & Haris is worth a try. 

What makes Theo & Harris so reliable is their transparency. These guys are very detailed when outlining the condition of a pre-loved watch.

Honesty is critical when selling a pre-owned watch; failing to provide the essential facts is often a stockist’s downfall. 

I look for details when buying any pre-owned product, whether a watch or not. I walk away if a company isn’t forthcoming about the finer details, either in their description or images. Why? Because I shouldn’t have to do the digging.  

Theo & Harris provides all the nitty gritty details. This includes outlining whether or not there are any scratches, dints, or malfunctions you’d naturally want to know about. 

You also get physical documentation of the watch and a one-year warranty. What’s more, you can even choose a payment plan, making an otherwise unattainable timepiece possible. 

eBay

Some people are skeptical about buying watches from eBay. What you have to remember is that wherever there are independent sellers, there’s risk. 

A few years ago, I advised avoiding buying high-end timepieces from eBay. My view is much different today, and that’s down to one factor. 

eBay now offers an Authenticity Guarantee Program. This means that a team of experts thoroughly inspects watches sold by eBay before shipping them. That in itself is a great advantage to consumers wanting to buy a luxury watch online from eBay. When exploring luxury timepieces, remember to research your options carefully to understand how to buy your first watch that suits your style.

What’s even better is that the same team inspects returns, too, ensuring no foul play. 

Another advantage is that you can communicate closely with the seller while waiting for your watch. Don’t forget you can also search locally or worldwide to see what rarer timepieces are on offer. 

WatchBox

From budget timepieces to high-end watches, WatchBox has it all. The company specializes in pre-owned watches, including rare models and off-the-beaten-track collectibles. 

So, if unique watches are your thing, check out WatchBox. The watches you can stumble across here will serve as great talking points. 

You also get to enjoy a two-year global warranty on every watch you buy online from WatchBox. 

Long Island Watches

Are you looking to get into the world of watch modding? Long Island Watches should be on your list.

It stocks custom-made watches and “modded watches” that use Seiko parts. It’s also a great place to find an entry-level collectible, such as Zodiac, Lume-Tec, or Citizen. 

You don’t have to pay a lot to acquire a watch that meets industry standards without the brand name.

Long Island Watches also stocks lesser-known brands like Seagull and Red Star. But if $4k plus watches are more your bag, the range this company offers won’t disappoint. 

Delray Watches

Delray Watches certainly knows its stuff. It’s an information point for those wanting to learn more about the hobby and stocks new and pre-owned watches. 

The company, based in Florida, prides itself on accurate, well-researched, and reliable information on watches. Its team also comprises a host of professionally trained watchmakers.

When buying a pre-owned watch, you must trust that the company examines and services each one to high standards. This is what collectors respect Delray Watches for. 

Each watchmaker is highly skilled in authentic Swiss timekeeping, and the company’s YouTube channel is highly informative. Its videos go into great detail on the technical aspects of watches and explain how the industry works.

Whether you’re looking for a big, bold Hublot or a classically elegant Vacheron, Delroy Watches covers you. 

Hodinkee

Before Hodinkee’s impressively vast online collection of luxury timepieces appeared, the page served as an online newspaper. Horological enthusiasts could use it as an online magazine. 

You can still say the same for the company, but now you can buy watches too. 

Today, a community of sellers and buyers who trust this reputable company now use it as an online trading space. 

You can often find cool limited edition watches at Hodinkee, not to mention brand-new references. 

The budget end of the spectrum gets some significant traffic, too. This includes trusty Casio G-Shocks, while Speedmaster and Submariners aren’t uncommon purchases either. 

Bob’s Watches

Bob’s Watches is a reliable source of information for devoted Rolex fans. It serves as an online journal for the brand but also specializes in other big names. 

The company sells pre-owned Rolex, Omega, and Panerai watches, to name just a few examples. You can also trade your watch or sell your collectible for a fair price. 

Bob’s Watches is a great place to gauge market prices and determine your watch’s value. It has become a command center of sorts for investment collectors.

Overall, Bob’s Watches is a trustworthy place to purchase a solid investment. 

Watchmaxx

Watchmaxx is a grey market dealer, so it operates similarly to Jomashop. It buys unwanted stock from authorized dealers of big brands and sells them for cheaper. 

The great thing about Watchmaxx is that its inventory is constantly changing. Some examples of leading brands include Tissot, Hamilton, and Patek Philippe. 

One thing worth noting about Watchmaxx is that it offers two-year warranties on its timepieces. In addition, you get all the original packaging — an important factor when it comes to selling later down the line. 

Learn about the 10 best automatic watches under $200 to discover affordable, stylish timepieces that combine quality craftsmanship with budget-friendly prices.

The Time Teller Shop

The founder of Time Teller, Jory Goodman, runs a YouTube channel that covers the latest watch news and trends. The channel also focuses primarily on vintage watches, making it somewhat of a horological museum. 

If you love 1970s Bulova watches, you will surely enjoy the treasure trove of options at Time Teller. A certified watchmaker services every timepiece, and the shop also offers quirky merchandise like hats and hoodies. 

Chrono24

I use Chrono24 quite a lot to gauge the price range of a watch. Plus, if you’re looking for a specific model, chances are there are several sellers. It gives you the option to shop around in one place. 

There are over 500,000 watches up for sale at Chrono24. Therefore, knowing what you want before you begin perusing is always best. You can fall down a fair few rabbit holes if you don’t know what you want. 

Here’s how you know Chrono24 is legit. You can pay using the company’s payment system, which protects you as the buyer. It puts your money in escrow and will only bill you once you receive the goods. 

It’s the simplest way to manage sellers and buyers from all over the globe. 

The RealReal

RealReal sells jewelry, fine art, and watches. Although it is a brick-and-mortar store, it does a great deal of business online. 

The company also functions like an auction house, where you can bid for high-end products. It gives you peace of mind that specialists in their respective fields have checked and authenticated the watch you want to buy. 

FAQs

Check out these answers to frequently asked questions about the best places to buy watches online. 

Is it OK to buy watches online?

So long as you know who to trust, buying watches online is safe and fun! Use the recommendations on our list to start off with! Remember to always keep in close contact with your seller throughout the buying process.

Why are watches so cheap online?

Many online luxury watch stockist don’t have bricks-and-mortar stores. This means they can charge less for the timepieces they stock. Some are grey market dealers who buy unwanted stock from authorised dealers, also enabling them to sell items for cheaper. 

What is a grey market seller?

A grey market seller is one who buys leftover stock from authorized dealers and sells it at below-market value. A grey market online watch seller isn’t authorized, though the practice isn’t illegal.

The Takeaway

Fortunately, buying a watch online is more reliable now than ever. But don’t just hit the “buy now” button without speaking to someone first. It is important to learn how to buy your first luxury watch by considering factors like brand reputation, budget, and style.

Even if everything looks good, it’s always a good idea to send a company a quick message. At the very least, ask them to confirm their return policy and check out what people say about the company.

So, there you have it! Your guide on where to buy watches online. 

Have I missed anything? Let me know in the comments and share where you like to shop for your watches.