Start with the reference
First know exactly what you are looking for. A model name such as Submariner or Royal Oak covers dozens of references from different generations, differing in size, movement, material and dial. The reference number makes that distinction. On our brand pages, such as those for Rolex, Tudor and Audemars Piguet, you will find the production years, case size, calibre and predecessor or successor of each reference. Then decide what matters most to you: condition, the set with box and papers, or a recent service.
Authenticity and provenance
Today a counterfeit cannot always be recognised with the naked eye, and a genuine watch may contain parts that are not original. A reliable seller therefore checks that reference, serial number, calibre and version belong together and states what they find. Papers help, but prove nothing on their own: they must match the watch. You can read more in our guide to box and papers.
Ask about the watch's provenance with every purchase, and be cautious with a seller who will not give an identity, an invoice or permanent contact details. A price far below what comparable pieces cost is rarely a bargain.
Assessing condition
Look beyond the photographs. A watch that looks shiny may have been polished inexpertly, rounding off edges and erasing the transitions between brushed and polished surfaces. Pay attention to the dial and hands, preferably original, to play in the bracelet, and to function: does the watch run, does it wind, does the date change? Ask about the service history. Water resistance is not a permanent property of a pre-owned watch, because gaskets age; only rely on it if a recent test is stated.
Your rights as a buyer in Belgium
If you buy as a consumer from a dealer, the statutory warranty of conformity applies: the watch must match what the seller said about it. That warranty runs for two years; for second-hand goods, buyer and seller may agree in advance and expressly on a shorter period, but not shorter than one year. If you buy at a distance, as a consumer you also generally have fourteen days to withdraw from the contract without giving a reason. How this is arranged with us is set out in our warranty terms and our returns policy.
If you buy from a private individual, that consumer protection does not apply. You can then only fall back on the general rules, such as those on hidden defects, which in practice is a weaker position.
Paying and delivery safely
Preferably pay for a watch of any value by bank transfer to an identifiable seller, against an invoice. Cash payment of large amounts is restricted by law in Belgium. Always have a watch that is shipped transported with insurance, or collect it by appointment so that you can examine it calmly at handover. Keep the invoice with the watch's papers; on a later sale it belongs to the set. What the margin scheme means on an invoice is explained in our guide to the margin scheme.
How a purchase works with us
Every watch in our collection is checked before publication for authenticity, reference and serial number, condition, function and completeness of the set, and whatever we find is in the description. You place a request without obligation; we confirm availability personally, then send an invoice and ship insured on receipt of your payment by bank transfer, or arrange an appointment. There is no online checkout. More about those steps can be found in how we work. If the watch you are looking for is not online, we can search for it.