First off, Hong Kong’s like, *the* place for used luxury watches. You’ve got loads of shops, from legit authorized dealers who also sell pre-owned, to smaller, more independent places. Thing is, quality varies wildly. Don’t just walk into the first store you see and throw down your cash. That’s asking for trouble, seriously.
Places like Europe Watch Company (if they have pre-owned stock – always double check!) are gonna be safer, because they’re official Rolex retailers. You know you’re getting the real deal and probably some level of guarantee. But, of course, you’re gonna pay a premium for that peace of mind. It’s a tradeoff, innit?
Then you’ve got places like Lafayette Watch 老佛爺. I dunno, they *say* they specialize in pre-owned Rolexes, and they offer buying, selling, and even swapping watches. Sounds good on paper, but always do your research, check reviews, and most importantly, get a good look at the watch *before* committing. Their whole “high price buyouts” thing? Yeah, that’s marketing, don’t expect to walk in with a beat-up Submariner and get a fortune.
And then there’s the whole internet thing. Sites like Watchfinder & Co. are alright – they’re a bigger operation and usually have pretty strict authentication processes. But I’d still personally recommend going to a physical store in Hong Kong if you can, especially for something as expensive as a Rolex. Being able to handle the watch, examine the movement (if they let you!), and just get a feel for it is crucial. Plus, you can haggle a bit, maybe.
Speaking of which, haggling is kinda expected in some of these places. Don’t be afraid to try and knock the price down a bit. Especially if you see minor scratches or something. Every little bit helps, right?
Oh! And one more thing. Don’t forget about Causeway Bay. I saw an ad about a shop there called “Shop A1, G/F., Lockhart House, 441 Lockhart Road”. It might be good, it might be dodgy – you never know. Just be cautious, okay? It’s a wild west out there in the second-hand watch market.
