How We Value Your Watch in 60 Minutes

Selling a luxury watch should not feel like a gamble. Here is exactly what happens when you ask Ilan Watches for an offer: what we need from you, how we arrive at a price, and how you get paid.

Many people put off selling a watch because they expect a long, uncomfortable process: endless messages, low offers and days of waiting. At our showroom in the Dubai Gold District we do it differently. In most cases you have an offer within 60 minutes, often sooner, and once you accept, you are paid in cash within 15 minutes or by bank transfer if you prefer.

Step 1: Send Us Your Watch Details

The more we know, the more precise the first offer. Via our online form or WhatsApp, please send:

• Brand, model and reference number – the reference is engraved between the lugs on many watches and printed on the warranty card.
• Clear photos – the dial, the case back, the side of the case and the clasp. Daylight works best.
• What comes with it – box, papers or warranty card, spare links, tags.
• Year of purchase – the date on the warranty card is ideal.
• Service history – if the watch has been serviced, when and where.

Selling several watches? Send them all at once and we give you an offer for each.

Step 2: How We Arrive at Your Offer

This is the part that takes experience. Our specialists identify the exact reference and variant, then price it against what that watch is really selling for in Dubai today, not against outdated lists or asking prices online. Then the details of your watch move the price up or down:

Reference and exact variant

Two watches that look almost the same can differ a lot in value. A dial colour, a bezel, a bracelet type or a production year can change the price, so we confirm the precise version first.

Condition

We look at scratches, dents and wear on the case, bracelet, crystal and dial. One point matters more than most people expect: whether the case has been polished. An original, unpolished case with sharp edges is usually valued higher than a polished one, even if the polished one looks shinier.

Box and papers

A full set with the original box and warranty card increases the value and shows when the watch was first sold. Without papers we can still make you a fair offer; the price simply reflects it.

Age and warranty date

A recent warranty date usually means a higher price. For older watches, rarity and condition can matter more than age.

Service history

Receipts from an official brand service or a recognised watchmaker give confidence that the movement is in good order, and support a higher offer.

Demand in Dubai right now

Some models are in constant demand, others less so. Because we sell watches every day, we know what buyers are looking for at the moment, and our offers reflect that.

Brand-specific details also play a role. You can read more on our pages for selling a Rolex, selling a Patek Philippe, selling an Audemars Piguet and selling a Cartier.

Step 3: Inspection in the Showroom or at Your Place

The first offer is based on your photos and details. Before we pay, our specialists inspect the watch in person. You can bring it to our showroom at Hind Plaza in the Dubai Gold District, or, if you prefer, we collect it from your home or office anywhere in Dubai at a time that suits you.

Please bring a valid ID to the sale: your Emirates ID, or your passport if you are visiting Dubai as a tourist.

During the inspection we check that the watch is authentic, that the numbers match the papers, that the movement runs as it should and that the condition matches what we saw in the photos. Afterwards we call you to confirm the final offer. If everything is as described, it is usually the same as the first offer; if we find something the photos did not show, we explain it to you openly.

Step 4: Getting Paid

Once you accept, you are paid in cash within 15 minutes, or by bank transfer if you prefer. Every sale is handled discreetly and confidentially.

Would you rather change your watch than sell it? We gladly take watches in part exchange: the value of your watch goes towards a watch from our current stock.

5 Tips to Get the Best Offer

• Don’t polish the watch before selling. Polishing removes metal and usually lowers the value.
• Bring everything that came with it – box, papers, spare links, tags and service receipts.
• Take clear photos in daylight, including the case back and clasp.
• Know your reference number. It saves time and makes the first offer more accurate.
• Be open about repairs or problems. It avoids surprises at the inspection, and we buy watches in any condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you buy watches that don’t work or are damaged?

Yes. We accept watches in various conditions, including damaged or non-working pieces. The condition is reflected in the offer, but you still receive a fair valuation.

Can I sell my watch without box and papers?

Yes. The original box and papers increase the value, but we can still make you a fair offer without them.

Which brands do you buy?

We specialise in Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier, and we also buy other luxury brands. If you are unsure, just send us the details.

How quickly do I get paid?

Once you accept the offer, you are paid in cash within 15 minutes, or by bank transfer if you prefer.

What do I need to bring when I sell my watch?

The watch with everything that came with it, and a valid ID: your Emirates ID, or your passport if you are a tourist.