The Journal
Insights on buying, selling and collecting luxury watches.
The Watch Market in October 2026: Where Prices Stand
The Unaged Luxury Watch Index stands at 118.5, up 5.8% on 2025 and 16.8% below the 2022 top. Green dials own the most-quoted list. Here is what moved, and what we would buy.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710: Batman, Pepsi or Bruce Wayne?
One reference number, three bezels, three different prices. The Pepsi is worth $28,000, the Bruce Wayne $23,000 and the Batman $19,900. Here is why, and which one we would buy.
Rolex Datejust 41 (126334): Every Dial, Priced
The most-quoted watch on the market, dial by dial: from $21,000 for the green ombré to $15,900 for silver. The full ladder of named dials, and what the codes mean.
Above and Below Retail: What Popular Watches Trade At Against Their List Price
A white Daytona trades at 2.4 times its list price; a Code 11.59 at half of it. We set our estimates against the makers' own US prices, reference by reference.
Full Set, Papers Only or Watch Only: What the Set Does to the Price
A watch-only Rolex or Patek trades about 15% below the full set, an AP about 11%. The numbers, brand by brand, and what to insist on.
Patek Philippe Nautilus in October 2026: The Steel References We Price
The olive 5711/1A is worth $253,000, the blue $168,000 and the white $132,000. The 5726/1A, 5990/1A, 5980/1A and the 35 mm 7118/1A priced dial by dial.
The Steel Royal Oak, Reference by Reference: 15500ST, 15510ST, 15202ST and 16202ST
The 41 mm 15510ST in blue is worth $64,000, its predecessor 15500ST $56,000. The ultra-thin Jumbo 16202ST leads at $102,000. The dials we price, and the one we would buy.
How to Read a Reference Number: Rolex, Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe
126710BLRO, 126334G, 15500ST.OO.1220ST.01, 5711/1A-010. Every letter and digit means something. A plain-English guide to the codes dealers and makers use.
How We Value a Watch: The Unaged Luxury Estimate, Explained
Every figure on this site answers one question: what would a collector pay for this exact watch today? Here is how we get there, and why the dial comes first.
Rolex vs Patek Philippe: Which Pre-Owned Watch Is Right for You
Both are the most recognized names in watchmaking. But Rolex and Patek Philippe serve very different buyers. Here is how to think through the decision.
F.P. Journe Pre-Owned Buying Guide: What You Need to Know
F.P. Journe makes some of the most technically accomplished watches in the world. The pre-owned market is smaller than Rolex or Patek, but the opportunity is real for buyers who know what to look for.
Patek Philippe vs Richard Mille: Two Different Philosophies
Both sit at the top of the luxury watch market. But Patek Philippe and Richard Mille represent fundamentally different ideas about what a watch should be. Here is how to think about the choice.
Patek Philippe Nautilus on the Secondary Market: What the Numbers Actually Mean
The Nautilus 5711 was discontinued in 2021. Since then, secondary market prices have been volatile. Here is how to read the market and buy at the right time.
Rolex Daytona vs Audemars Piguet Royal Oak: The Ultimate Comparison
Two of the most coveted watches on the secondary market. The Daytona and the Royal Oak both command significant premiums, but they are very different watches for very different buyers.
Richard Mille RM 011: The Pre-Owned Buyer's Guide
The RM 011 is the reference that defined Richard Mille as a serious player in the luxury watch market. Here is what you need to know before buying one pre-owned.
F.P. Journe Chronometre Bleu: What You Need to Know Before Buying
The Chronometre Bleu is the most recognized F.P. Journe reference and one of the most technically interesting watches in production. Here is what to look for when buying one pre-owned.
Luxury Watches as Investments in 2026: What Still Holds Value
The watch market has corrected from its 2021 peak. Some references have held their value. Others have not. Here is an honest look at where things stand in 2026.
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 vs 5726: Which Reference Should You Buy?
The 5711 is the most talked-about watch in the world. The 5726 is the one serious collectors often prefer. Here is how to think about the choice.
The Royal Oak: Why Audemars Piguet's Most Controversial Watch Became Its Most Valuable
In 1972, Gerald Genta designed a steel sports watch priced higher than gold watches of the era. The industry thought it was a mistake. It was not.
Buying Pre-Owned Luxury Watches in Miami: What You Need to Know
Miami has one of the most active luxury watch markets in the United States. Here is how to navigate it, and why working with an independent dealer makes a difference.
How to Buy a Pre-Owned Rolex Submariner: What to Look For
The Submariner is the most recognized watch in the world. Here is what actually matters when buying one pre-owned, from reference numbers to service history.
Buying Your First Luxury Watch: How to Choose the Right One
The first luxury watch purchase is one of the most personal decisions in collecting. Here is a framework for getting it right, without the regret.
Luxury Watch Condition Grading: What the Terms Actually Mean
Mint, unworn, excellent, good, condition grades mean different things to different sellers. Here is how to read them, and what to ask before you buy.
Richard Mille on the Secondary Market: What Buyers Need to Know
Richard Mille makes some of the most technically complex and expensive watches in the world. The secondary market for them is equally complex. Here is how to navigate it.
How to Authenticate a Vintage Patek Philippe: A Practical Guide
Vintage Patek Philippe watches are among the most counterfeited timepieces in the world. Here is what to check, and what to ask, before you buy.
Pre-Owned Rolex as an Investment: What the Data Actually Shows
Rolex watches have outperformed many traditional asset classes over the past two decades. Here is what the secondary market data shows, and what it does not.
Patek Philippe Complications: A Guide to What They Are and What They Cost
Annual calendar, perpetual calendar, minute repeater, split-seconds, Patek Philippe makes the most respected complications in watchmaking. Here is what each one means.
Rolex Oyster vs Jubilee Bracelet: Which One Should You Choose?
The bracelet choice on a Rolex changes the entire character of the watch. Here is the honest breakdown of Oyster vs Jubilee, and which references look best on each.
How Watch Consignment Works: A Seller's Guide
Consignment is often the best way to sell a luxury watch, better price than a quick sale, less hassle than selling privately. Here is exactly how it works.
Rolex GMT-Master II: The Complete Guide to Every Reference
Batman, Pepsi, Root Beer, Sprite, the GMT-Master II has more nicknames than any other Rolex. Here is what each one means and which is right for you.
Luxury Watch Market Trends in 2026: What Collectors Need to Know
After the volatility of 2021-2023, the luxury watch market has found a new equilibrium. Here is what the data shows and what it means for buyers and sellers right now.
Royal Oak Offshore: The Bigger, Bolder Sibling Worth Knowing
The Offshore took everything the Royal Oak stood for and pushed it further. It divides collectors, but its secondary market performance is hard to argue with.
Luxury Watch Servicing: What to Expect and When to Do It
A watch that has not been serviced in a decade is a watch at risk. Here is what a proper service involves, how much it costs, and how it affects resale value.
The Rolex Daytona: A Buyer's Guide to the Most Wanted Chronograph
The Daytona has been on waitlists for years. The secondary market is the only realistic way to buy one. Here is everything you need to know before you do.
Super Clones and Why Buying From a Verified Dealer Matters
Counterfeit luxury watches have never been more convincing. Here is what the super clone threat actually looks like, and why provenance is your best protection.