The global secondary watch market recorded $10.5 billion in transactions during the first half of 2026, a 37.2% increase from the same period a year earlier, according to a report published July 30 by the market data and pricing platform EveryWatch.
Based on data from 650 dealers and nearly 500 auction houses, EveryWatch’s secondary market report for the first half of 2026 found that transaction value grew faster than unit volume as collectors gravitated toward higher-priced watches and premium brands.
While major luxury watch manufacturers continued to post substantial gains, independent watchmakers emerged as the market’s fastest-growing segment. EveryWatch’s data showed that independent brands collectively generated $633.8 million in secondary-market sales during the first six months of the year, up 89% from a year earlier. That total exceeded the secondary-market value attributed to the LVMH watch portfolio, which reached about $617 million during the period.
Much of the independent growth came from watchmaker F.P. Journe. EveryWatch reported that the 27-year-old Geneva-based brand’s secondary-market sales nearly tripled to $201.6 million, placing it seventh among all watch brands by secondary-market value. Its median sale price rose 82% year over year to $215,000, while its turnover rate exceeded 57%, indicating strong demand despite higher prices.
The leading independents by transacted value in the first half of 2026 were F.P. Journe at $202 million, H. Moser & Cie. at $26 million (up 64%), Parmigiani Fleurier at $21 million (up 60%), and De Bethune at $19 million (up 2%).
“A new wave of collectors, many from tech, are falling in love with the craft and the deep, nerdy detail behind it,” said Giovanni Prigigallo, EveryWatch’s cofounder. “Owning an independent right now feels like the first days of a new asset class, reminds me of the early crypto days. With supply this scarce, prices have room to run.”
Among the industry’s largest brands, Rolex remained the dominant force in the secondary market, accounting for 41% of total value with $4.29 billion in sales, according to the report. Patek Philippe ranked second at $1.51 billion, followed by Audemars Piguet at $983 million.
EveryWatch also reported that Rolex’s certified pre-owned business continued to gain momentum, with CPO sales rising 101% to $385 million and surpassing sales of unworn Rolex watches in the secondary market.
The report highlighted several trends affecting collectors and retailers alike. Auction sales climbed 45% to $680 million, and the number of watches selling for more than $1 million nearly tripled to 73 lots. An F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance sold for $13.9 million at auction, making it the highest-priced watch sold during the first half of the year.
Meanwhile, EveryWatch said the discontinuation of certain Rolex GMT-Master II models helped drive a 60% increase in secondary-market value for the collection.
Geographically, the strongest growth came from the United States and Canada, where secondary-market sales increased nearly 70% to $4.5 billion, according to the report. Asia was the only major region to post a decline, with sales falling 2.6%.
EveryWatch said the overall market remains healthy, citing rising transaction values and higher turnover rates, though median time to sell increased modestly from 39 days to 43 days, a metric the company said bears watching in the second half of the year.
The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed by staff writer David Blomquist.
Top: The rare limited-edition F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance “Souscription, No. 007” in pink gold and platinum, which sold for a record $13.9 million at Phillips’ The New York Watch Auction: XIV on June 14, 2026 (photo courtesy of Phillips)
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