Which Pre-Owned Luxury Watches Are Appreciating in 2025?
Surprise, and sometimes break every prediction. But 2025 has been intriguing for one reason: the pre-owned luxury watches market is showing steady confidence again. Not hype. Not speculation. These are genuine purchases made by individuals who are well-informed about their preferences.
Let’s look at the watches that are quietly strengthening this year, and why.
Rolex Sports Models
Rolex isn’t shocking anyone here, but the pattern is worth noting. Sports references with honest wear and clean histories are moving faster than unworn pieces. Collectors are choosing a luxury watch with a story, not plastic stickers.
Models like the Submariner 124060, the GMT-Master II Pepsi, and older Explorer references continue to hold firm. Prices aren’t shooting up overnight, but the curve is healthy and predictable. In the current market, that’s worth more than a sudden spike.
If you enjoy topics around trust and brand identity, read Would You Trust a Luxury Watch Without Knowing the Brand? for a deeper look at why heritage still matters.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak
The Royal Oak’s pull hasn’t weakened. What changed is the mindset of buyers. They’re not chasing the loudest reference. They’re going after proportions and finishing.
Mid-size pieces, especially the 37mm 15550, gained serious attention. Some early 2000s 36mm and 39mm models are also climbing because they bring back the thinner case lines collectors miss. AP prices dropped hard in 2023–24, and the recovery we’re seeing now looks measured rather than emotional.
Patek Philippe Nautilus and Aquanaut
Patek behaves differently compared to the rest of the market. Even when the hype cooled, demand for well-kept Nautilus and Aquanaut references stayed consistent.
In 2025, buyers are leaning toward pieces that feel wearable every day:
- Aquanaut 5167A
- Nautilus 5712G and 5726A
These aren’t flash watches; they age well, and the prices show it. Many collectors feel safer choosing a preowned watch that already has a clear value curve behind it.
Omega Speedmaster Models
The Speedmaster is having a quiet moment of appreciation. Not massive jumps, but a noticeable rise in interest for references with solid provenance.
The Hesalite Moonwatch remains a favorite because it delivers what collectors want: history, reliability, and an unmistakable design that hasn’t been tampered with over the years.
Panerai Luminor and Radiomir
This is the surprise category for 2025. Panerai pieces that were overlooked for a few years are now picking up momentum.
Smaller case sizes brought many collectors back. Models like the PAM01288 and PAM01074 are doing well in the pre-owned luxury watches space because they feel purposeful without being oversized.
What This Means for Buyers
The pre-owned market in 2025 rewards patience and excellent judgment. Buyers aren’t chasing hype; they’re choosing watches with identity, clean paperwork, and service history. You don’t need to own a rare watch to appreciate it; you need to respect it.
If you’re building a collection this year, the safest value sits with watches that people genuinely enjoy wearing, not the ones everyone posts about for a month and forgets.
If you want to explore pieces that hold their ground in the real market, browse our latest pre-owned luxury watches at Haute Horologe. Every watch is inspected carefully so you can choose with confidence, not guesswork.
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