In this episode of Watch World, Faye Soteri sits down with Luke Brewer from Watches.co.uk to unpack the realities of buying, selling, and collecting pre-owned watches. From first jobs on the high street to handling rare Pateks, Daytonas, and Speedmasters, Luke shares why pre-owned is not a compromise but often the most meaningful way into watch ownership. Together, they explore trust, pricing, scarcity, sustainability, and why the story behind a watch can matter more than its retail price. TAKEAWAYS Pre-owned watches often carry deeper stories and emotional value than new pieces Trust, provenance, and verification are central to buying safely in the secondary market Scarcity, not age, is what truly drives pre-owned pricing Sustainable growth matters more than speculative spikes for long-term collectors The best watch purchase is the one that gives you that instant, visceral feeling CHAPTERS 00:00 Early retail roots and discovering pre-owned watches 02:00 Why vintage and pre-owned feel more personal 04:00 Discontinued models and scarcity-driven pricing 06:30 How the pre-owned buying and selling process works 08:30 Pricing strategy and market comparisons 10:30 Supply, reputation, and building long-term client trust 12:15 When pre-owned adds emotional and practical value 14:00 Authenticity checks, watch registry, and safeguarding buyers 16:45 Sustainability and longevity in mechanical watches 19:50 Why value and price are not the same thing 22:00 Different collector mindsets and motivations 23:30 How the pre-owned market has recalibrated post-Covid 27:45 Why slow, steady growth benefits collectors 31:30 Buying with instinct versus buying as an investment 33:10 Misconceptions about second-hand watches 36:50 Patek Nautilus, Snoopy Speedmaster, and Submariner highlights 44:55 Iconic tool watches and enduring design 49:45 Tiffany Oyster Perpetual and market realignment 54:15 Platinum Daytonas, Patek chronographs, and relationship buying 58:55 Trust, reputation, and why collectors return VISIT OUR WEBSITE https://www.watchworldwithfaye.com/ FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchworldwithfaye CREDITS Guest: Luke Brewer, Watches.co.uk Website: https://www.watches.co.uk Host: Faye Soteri LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faye-soteri-64832516/?originalSubdomain=uk PRODUCTION Keenlii Website: https://www.keenlii.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keenliico/ Producer: Barry Keegan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrykeegan/ On Location Videographer: Sharplight Website: https://sharplight.org/ Director of Photography: Gavin Foden LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gavin-foden/ SUBSCRIBE AND ENGAGE If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and leave a review. Let us know what topics you would like us to explore next. SUPPORT OUR PODCAST To help us bring more stories to you, please consider sharing this episode with fellow watch enthusiasts. ABOUT WATCH WORLD WITH FAYE SOTERI A watch does not just tell the time. It tells a story. With more than 20 years in global luxury retail and watch buying, Faye brings you credible voices from across the watch industry, from independent makers to established houses, alongside conversations that explore design, culture, and the meaning behind the timepieces we wear.
