UK's #1 rated pocket watch buyer

Your Pocket Watch Deserves More — Get Up to 40% Higher Value

Join thousands who’ve sold with confidence. Our secure, expert-led service ensures you get the best price — guaranteed.

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Free valuationㅤ·ㅤNo obligationㅤ·ㅤTakes 3 minutes

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4.9/5 (287 reviews)

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£2.1M+ paid out*

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24hr Payment

*Combined payments from this site and our parent company Time Rediscovered

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Why Our Way Beats the Auction

Experience a refined, seamless process that saves you time and expense. Achieve guaranteed results with confidence and discretion.

The Pocket Watch Buyer

recommended

Time to sell

24-48 Hours

Instant quote, ship today, paid tomorrow

You Keep

100%

We buy direct - no commissions

Certainty

100%

Fixed price* before you ship

Traditional Auction

Time to sell

2-6 Months

Cataloguing, waiting for sale date, payment delays

You Keep

50-75%

Buyer's premium, seller's commission, insurance

Certainty

Unknown

No guarantee of sale or final price

Expert horologists: From the team behind Time Rediscovered, with over 10 years of experience bringing fairness and transparency to the vintage watch market through specialist knowledge and modern efficiency.

Selling Made Simple

A clear, hassle-free way to sell your pocket watch. Simple, secure, and transparent process

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Step 1

Upload Photos

Take clear photos of your pocket watch. Our experts analyze materials, condition, and authenticity using specialist knowledge.

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Step 2

Get expert quote

Our qualified horologists review your photos and details, using advanced tools for precise market valuations.

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Step 3

Ship securely

Pack your watch safely and send it with a tracked, insured delivery service of your choice.

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Step 4

Get paid fast

Same-day bank transfer once we receive and verify your watch.

Expert Valuations for Premium Brands

Focused on the world’s most esteemed pocket watch makers. We provide trusted authentication and the best possible return.

brand

Rolex

£500-£50,000

Early Rolex pocket watches from the brand's prestigious heritage

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Omega

£300-£10,000+

Swiss precision timepieces with exceptional craftsmanship

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Patek Philippe

£500-£100,000

The pinnacle of watchmaking excellence and investment value

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Hamilton

£100-£5,000+

American railroad heritage with precision engineering

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Your pocket watch brand not mentioned? That's perfectly fine. We buy every pocket watch brand, ensuring each piece is valued with care.

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Disclaimer: The Pocketwatch Buyer is not officially endorsed by, affiliated with, or authorized by any of the brands mentioned above. All brand names, trademarks, and logos are the property of their respective owners and are used here for identification purposes only.

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★ Rated 4.97/5 from 300+ reviews

Trusted by Watch Lovers Everywhere

The Pocket Watch Buyer, from the team behind Time Rediscovered, offers honest, friendly service trusted by thousands worldwide. We launched this specialist site to give customers a dedicated platform for selling their pocket watches.

★★★★★

“What can I say except that the courtesy and professionalism of this organisation is one of the finest examples of customer service I have ever encountered in any field. Nick is an absolute pleasure to deal with, the communication throughout has been absolutely first class. I would honestly give more than 5 stars if I could!"

Maya Smales

London, United Kingdom

★★★★★

"If you are looking for a good, honest and well informed trader, look no further. From start to finish the process was super easy. Communication is excellent. The price we were offered was thoroughly explained and more than fair at the highest end. Same day payment at the price agreed. I can't fault anything. More than happy"

Den Gurney

London, United Kingdom

★★★★★

"I had 2 vintage family omega watches to sell and I didn't really want to go down the auction route with them as I wasn't sure where to start. Google found me Nick at Time Rediscovered. After submitting a couple of forms with photos, Nick responded with a lovely email and a very fair offer for both which I accepted and I received payment the same day the watches were received. Very prompt and professional service."

Paulene Ashmore

London, United Kingdom

★★★★★

"If you are looking for a good, honest and well informed trader, look no further. From start to finish the process was super easy. Communication is excellent. The price we were offered was thoroughly explained and more than fair at the highest end. Same day payment at the price agreed. I can't fault anything. More than happy"

Daniel K.

London, United Kingdom

Insights

Assortment of valuable pocket watches

Insights

Identifying Valuable Pocket Watch Brands

Not all pocket watches are created equal. Understanding the brand hierarchy is crucial for determining whether your timepiece is worth its weight in gold or significantly more as a collector's item.

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Gold pocket watch movement

Insights

Melt value vs collector value

Understanding the difference can mean the difference between hundreds and thousands of pounds. Professional assessment can determine if restoration would increase value or if the watch is better sold as-is.

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Vintage pocket watch dial

Insights

Market Trends in Vintage Pocket Watches for the year 2025

The vintage timepiece market in 2025 shows remarkable resilience and growth, with pocket watches representing a significant segment of collector interest.

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View All Insights

Is your Pocket Watch worth more than you think?

Discover its true value and get up to 40% more with our safe, hassle-free service. Fast payments, total peace of mind.

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An Exclusive Invitation for Collectors

Looking for exceptional pocket watches? We're not an ecommerce platform, but we can notify you when remarkable pieces come through our doors.

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Curated Selection

Own only the best – Every piece is hand-selected to meet our elite quality standards.

First Access

Be the First to Know – Get exclusive alerts before rare pieces are released to the public.

Expert Guidance

Our seasoned horologists give you insider advice every step of the way.

Identifying Gold Pocket Watches

1

Confirm the hallmarks

Open the case back (and dust cover if it has one) and inspect the inside surfaces and hinge.

  • Karat marks: 9k, 14k, 18k, 22k.
  • Purity marks: 375, 585, 750, 916.
  • Assay symbols: Crown, leopard head, anchor, castle.
2

Watch for plated markings

These typically mean the case is not solid gold:

  • GP – Gold plated.
  • GF – Gold filled (thicker plating, base metal core).
  • RGP – Rolled gold plate over brass or nickel.
  • Base Metal – No solid gold in the case.
3

Weight & magnet test

Solid gold cases feel dense and heavy, and they are not magnetic. Use a strong magnet gently—avoid touching the movement.

4

Inspect wear points

Solid gold keeps its colour on high-wear edges. If brassy or copper tones show through, the case is plated.

Identifying Silver & Stainless Steel Watches

1

Read silver hallmarks

Inside the case you'll often see hallmark combinations confirming sterling silver.

  • Sterling / 925 / lion passant – standard UK sterling silver.
  • Britannia figure – higher purity 95.8% silver.
  • City marks – anchor (Birmingham), leopard (London), castle (Edinburgh).
2

Silver vs. stainless steel

Silver tarnishes to a dark grey, while stainless steel remains bright and is usually stamped “Stainless Steel” or “Inox”.

3

Magnet & weight clues

Silver is non-magnetic and heavier than steel for the same size. If a magnet attracts the case, it's likely steel or another base metal.

4

Beware of plating

Flaking or brass tones under the surface suggest a plated case rather than solid silver.

How to Identify Your Pocket Watch Material

1

Check the hallmarks

Open the case back (and dust cover if it has one) and look for stamped marks around the hinges and inside surfaces.

  • Solid gold marks: 9k, 14k, 18k, 22k, 375, 585, 750, 916.
  • Solid silver marks: Sterling, 925, the lion passant, or Britannia.

Marks that mean it is not solid gold:

  • GP (Gold Plated) – a thin layer of gold over base metal.
  • GF (Gold Filled) – thicker than plating but still a base-metal core.
  • RGP (Rolled Gold Plate) – sheet of gold bonded to brass or nickel.
  • Base Metal – indicates the case is brass, nickel, or similar with no solid gold.

If you see these markings, the case is almost certainly not solid gold.

2

Feel the weight

Solid gold cases feel noticeably heavy for their size. Silver is moderately heavy, while plated or base-metal cases feel lighter.

3

Try a magnet

Hold a strong magnet against the case only (avoid the movement):

  • No attraction: Likely gold or silver.
  • Magnetic pull: Stainless steel or other base metal.
4

Look for tarnishing

Silver naturally tarnishes to a grey or black tone over time. Gold will not tarnish, while plated cases may show brass or copper tones where the plating has worn.