Certified Pre-Owned Watches – The 5 best deals on CHRONEXT

No question: Buying a new watch has its charms. After all, you get an unworn watch that comes directly from the manufacturer. Nevertheless, there are many reasons to buy a pre-owned watch. Not only because of the lower price. Even watches that have been worn only a few times and have at best only a few micro-scratches are sometimes considerably cheaper than new watches.

In the meantime, the issue of availability also plays an important role, because not all watches are available through concessionaires. Especially the most sought-after models – just think of the Patek Philippe Nautilus or the Rolex Daytona – are either no longer available or only with years of waiting. In contrast, the most used wristwatches and also the most sought-after models are available immediately.

In addition, there is a much wider choice when buying used equipment. While concessionaires only sell the current collections, previous models are also available on the secondary market. For example, if you want to buy a five-digit Rolex reference (such as a GMT Master II, Ref. 16710) or the first ultra-thin Omega Seamaster Diver 300M (Ref. 2531.80.00), you will not be able to avoid buying a second-hand model. The same applies to vintage watches that are not sold by jewellers but are available exclusively on the secondary market.

At CHRONEXT, all watches are tested by our master workshop according to strict quality standards. This applies not only to authenticity, but also to functionality. In addition, all models come with a 24-month CHRONEXT warranty.

Both unworn and used luxury watches can be obtained in our online shop at particularly favourable prices. The following five watches are among our best Certified Pre-Owned Picks!

The Rolex Datejust 36 Ref. 126234 is probably the best Datejust ever: After the first six-digit reference generation with the rather wide case, the Ref. 126234, launched in 2019, again has the classic slim case. In addition, the new Datejust uses the latest caliber generation from Rolex, which has a chrongy escapement, is insensitive to magnetic fields and vibrations and has a particularly high power reserve of about 70 hours.

A Datejust is an excellent choice: As a classic Rolex model, the Datejust cuts a fine figure on both formal and casual occasions. It is also the oldest and thus historically most relevant model of the manufacturer.

If you are looking for a thoroughbred Toolwatch, the Breitling Avenger Hurricane is the perfect choice. The 45 millimeter military chronograph is water-resistant to 10 meters. The robust case is made of Breitlight, a material that is a good three times lighter than titanium and almost six times lighter than steel – but at the same time many times harder. Due to the great contrast between the dark hands and the yellow dial, the readability of the watch is perfect. This also applies at night, thanks to the luminous material used over a large area.

Inside the watch, the Breitling 01 in-house caliber, which has been proving its worth as an outstanding movement since 2009, does its job. The caliber drives the chronograph through a column wheel and offers a power reserve of around 70 hours.

The IWC Big Pilot is one of the great classics of the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer IWC. The history of the big pilot's watch began in the 1940s, when IWC began to produce military pilot's watches. The models known as the B-watch already had a large diameter at that time to ensure the best possible – and vital – readability even during demanding flight manoeuvres. The IWC Big Pilot is a watch for connoisseurs and enthusiasts, which has a high degree of historical as well as design authenticity.

The Ref. 5004 was produced from 2006 to 2012; its diameter is 46.2 millimetres. IWC has made good use of the space available in the large case diameter and has given the pilot's watch a large mainspring barrel that offers a power reserve of an impressive eight days. In addition, a date display at six o'clock has been harmoniously integrated into the overall design.

You rarely see an IWC Aquatimer in the wild. This is especially true when it comes to the version with white dial and chronograph. The first designs for the Aquatimer date back to 1966; the hands and indices of the earliest Aquatimer models have remained virtually unchanged to this day.

The Aquatimer chronograph with the white dial is one of the most interesting Aquatimer models. Like all the other watches in this series, this model can be worn perfectly on a stainless steel bracelet as well as on other straps, such as rubber or NATO straps. The diameter of the watch is 44 millimetres, the water resistance is a proud 300 metres for a chronograph. The Aquatimer is fitted with calibre 79320, which is based on the proven ETA 7750.

The Omega Speedmaster is one of the greatest watch classics of all - and the watch with probably the most impressive history, because the Apollo 11 astronauts wore a Speedmaster on their wrists when they first set foot on the moon in 1969. Omega has been building numerous versions of the Speedmaster for many years, offering the right watch for every taste and making the Speedmaster particularly collectible thanks to its breathtaking diversity.

The Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Tokyo Olympics was launched on the occasion of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. It is limited to 2020 copies and was sold exclusively to Japanese concessionaires. While the glass is made of sapphire crystal, this reference 522.30.42.30.03.001 has a steel back with Tokyo 2020 engraving on the back. This model was extremely difficult to obtain and will continue to be difficult to obtain in the future due to its strict limitation and charming blue tone.