Chrono24 Direct — Price assessment
What is my watch worth?
The real question is usually a different one: what price will I actually receive? We tell you what your watch can be expected to achieve on Chrono24 — and how much of that reaches you.
Fundamentals
Three numbers that get confused
Most disappointment in watch selling starts right here.
1. The estimated value
What an online tool returns. Chrono24 offers a free valuation that compares your model against more than 500,000 listings worldwide and gives an average price and a price range. Useful for an order of magnitude — but it is the average of asking prices, and Chrono24 itself notes that it is not a guaranteed sale price.
2. The sale price
What a buyer actually pays. It rarely lands exactly on the estimate, because it depends on your particular watch: authenticity, mechanical condition, originality of the components, completeness. Two examples of the same model can sit noticeably apart.
3. Your payout
What reaches you: the sale price less the agreed commission. Our commission depends on the model and its condition, is set transparently before the sale, and applies only if your watch actually sells. No upfront fees.
Once we have assessed your watch we give you all three numbers, not only the first. You decide after that whether to sell with us.
Your proceeds
What price you can expect through us
Consignment usually returns more than an outright sale — it just takes longer.
There are three ways to sell a luxury watch, and they differ less in effort than in price. A trade buyer purchases your watch immediately, carries all the risk afterwards, and therefore pays well below market value. In a private sale you can in theory achieve the market price, but you carry authenticity questions, payment risk and complaints yourself. With consignment we sell your watch at the market price through Chrono24, and you pay only on success.
| RecommendedConsignment with us | Trade buyer | Private sale | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achievable priceWhat the buyer pays | Market price on Chrono24 | Well below market value | Market price, but uncertain |
| Cost to youIf no sale happens | Commission only on a sale | None | Listing costs |
| When you see the moneyTime to payout | After the sale | Immediately | Uncertain |
| Authentication includedBuilds buyer confidence | In our own workshop | For the dealer, not for you | Not possible |
| Risk you carryPayment, complaints, reversal | Fully covered | No risk | Carried by the seller |
Recommended
Consignment with Chrono24 Direct
Market price instead of a trade price — and commission only if your watch sells.
How long it takes
From the arrival of your watch to publication on Chrono24 usually takes about four weeks. Roughly every second watch finds a buyer within the first 90 days after publication. We normally keep your watch on sale for a full year.
That is the real trade-off: price against time. If you need money tomorrow, an outright sale serves you better and you pay for it in proceeds. If you have a few weeks, consignment usually returns considerably more.
Price factors
What determines the price you can achieve
Six factors decide it — and only two of them are ones you can judge yourself.
1. Model and reference
The biggest lever. Two outwardly similar watches from the same brand can be worth multiples of one another if one is a sought-after reference. The reference number is usually between the lugs or engraved on the case back.
2. Condition
Not just scratches. What matters is how much material earlier polishing has removed, whether the case edges are still crisp, and whether the movement runs within tolerance.
3. Originality of the components
Dial, hands, bezel, bracelet, movement parts. A replaced dial can cost more on a collector's model than obvious signs of wear. This is the point most often misjudged — and the reason an online estimate cannot describe your particular watch.
4. Completeness
Warranty card, certificate, box and accessories affect the price but are not a barrier to selling. How much they affect it depends on the model — more on that under Selling without papers.
5. Service and repair history
A documented service supports the price. An automatic chronograph that has gone unserviced for a long time, by contrast, can mean restoration costs that come off the proceeds. Where work in our workshop raises the proceeds by more than it costs, we tell you beforehand.
6. Market demand at the time of sale
The market for pre-owned luxury watches moves, and it moves differently by brand and model line. That is why we give you an assessment for the present moment rather than a timeless figure.
If you do not know what you have
You need no specialist knowledge to get in touch. What is printed on the dial and engraved on the case back is enough, together with photographs of the front and back. If you cannot read anything, write and describe what you see — identifying it is our job.
The same applies to several watches from one estate. We assess a group as a whole and also tell you which pieces have no relevant market value.
FAQ
Common questions about price
Through consignment we sell your watch at the market price on Chrono24. What remains for you is that sale price less the agreed commission. We give you both figures after the assessment and before the sale begins, so that you decide on a reliable basis.
No, and that is true of any estimate. An estimated value is the average of comparable asking prices. Your payout is the price actually achieved, less commission. We explain that difference openly rather than quoting you a figure nobody can hold to.
Usually yes. A trade buyer pays immediately, carries the full risk afterwards, and therefore buys well below market value. With consignment we sell at the market price. The difference is the waiting time: if you need money tomorrow, an outright sale serves you better.
It depends on the model and condition of your watch and is set transparently before the sale. It applies only if your watch actually sells — no hidden costs, no upfront fees.
We set the sale price on the basis of current market data, so that your watch sells promptly and at the best achievable market value. You receive our price proposal before the sale begins and decide on that basis whether to go ahead with us.
Good for the order of magnitude of a model, and at Chrono24 based on more than 500,000 listings. It cannot judge whether your example is genuine, which parts have been replaced, or what mechanical condition the movement is in. A reliable price needs someone to look at the watch.
Usually between the lugs, visible once the bracelet is removed, or engraved on the case back. With some brands it also appears on the warranty card. If you cannot find it, send us photographs — we will identify the watch.
Publication on Chrono24 usually takes about four weeks. Roughly every second watch finds a buyer within the first 90 days after that. Payout follows the completed sale.
No. The enquiry is free of obligation and commits you to nothing. If you decide against selling after our assessment, we send the watch back to you. We currently handle valuation and consignment for watches located in the European Union.
Unclear what your watch will bring?
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A few details about your watch are enough — we will get back to you with an initial estimate within 48 hours.
Currently Available Within the EU
We handle appraisals and consignment sales for watches located in the European Union.
Personal estimate by our team
The more precise your details, the more accurate our estimate of sale proceeds and market prospects.
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