Why Selling Pre-Owned Bob’s Watches Might be the Best Idea During Tariffs Speculation
Bob’s Watches is having a moment, and it is not by accident. Buyers are turning to the pre-owned market as new luxury watches face massive price jumps from upcoming tariffs. That means sellers hold the power.
Bob’s Watches saw a 20% sales spike from March to May 2025. Why? People don’t want to pay more for new when they can get the same quality for less.
Starting July 2025, Swiss watches are facing a crushing 31% tariff. Brands like Rolex are rushing shipments to beat the deadline, but once it hits, prices will climb. Gold prices are already up. Retailers are bracing. Buyers are scrambling.
A Blessing in Disguise for Sellers
So, what does a 31% tariff mean for you? Opportunity. New watch prices will jump. Pre-owned prices? Not so much. That is because Bob’s Watches sources 90% of its inventory from U.S. sellers. That keeps their supply chain clean, unaffected by Swiss import drama.
Bob’s Watches / Since Bob’s Watches sources 90% of its inventory from the U.S., used watches won’t go up unlike new ones.
Buyers know this. That is why they are turning to Bob’s Watches. They are looking for Rolexes, Omegas, Tudors, without the fresh-off-the-boat markups. And they’re willing to pay a premium for clean, pre-owned pieces.
However, the beauty of Bob’s Watches is not just that they buy and sell. They specialize in the kinds of watches you can’t find anymore. Discontinued styles. Limited editions. Hidden gems.
That is why Douglas Kaplan, the company’s Chief Commercial Officer, calls it a “candy store.” Collectors aren’t just shopping. They’re hunting.
And when collectors are hungry, prices rise. But there is a catch. If new watch prices climb too high, sellers might expect bigger payouts. That would force Bob’s Watches to adjust what it offers sellers. In short, the window for max profit could close fast. Selling now, before the market reshuffles, is a smart play.
Younger buyers are not playing the same game their parents did. They are not walking into department stores and grabbing a $300 watch off the shelf. They want something that holds value, looks sharp, and tells a story. That is why they are flooding into the pre-owned space.
U.S.-Based Sellers Have the Advantage
The News / Reports show that Swiss watch exports to the U.S. exploded in April, up nearly 150% from last year.
Unlike many luxury retailers, Bob’s Watches is not at the mercy of international chaos. Most of their inventory comes from American sellers. That shields them from supply chain meltdowns and surprise tariffs. It also keeps their buying process smooth. Sellers in the U.S. can ship fast and get paid fast.
International buyers love it too. Even though they pay a $150 shipping fee, they still come out ahead compared to buying new. So while Swiss brands scramble, Bob’s Watches just keeps selling, and you could be part of that action.
Why? Everyone was trying to front-load before tariffs hit, and brands were pushing products like crazy. But that strategy is short-term. Once July lands, prices will skyrocket. When that happens, new watches will become too expensive, and the pre-owned market will become red-hot.
That is already happening. Buyers are moving early. Sales are rising. Bob’s Watches is scooping up inventory fast. If you have something to sell, now is the time to list it.