WatchesJul 09, 2021
Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter Selling Pre-Owned Watches for the First Time WatchesAug 18, 2021
EBay Is Headed to the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
The online marketplace will bring a selection of pre-owned luxury watches and host events.
EBay’s pre-owned luxury watch business is booming, and of the most expensive pre-owned timepieces the marketplace has sold is by Patek Philippe. Pictured is a new Patek Philippe Aquanaut Luce timepiece, released this year.
Las Vegas—For the first time, eBay will exhibit at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show.
The move comes as pre-owned watch sales are hotter than ever on the e-commerce marketplace. According to eBay, over 25,000 luxury watches from what it considers top brands like Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Patek Philippe, and Cartier were sold in the first months of 2021 alone.
From March 2020 to March 2021, Cartier watch sales rose 75 percent and Rolex sales rose 54 percent.
EBay credits some of the rise in its luxury watch sector to investments it’s made.
In September 2020, it launched its authenticity guarantee service for watches (it now authenticates handbags and sneakers, too), in which it provides a physical authentication from independent experts on items priced over $2,000 at no charge to the customer, prior to delivery.
Related stories will be right here …
Since the service started, it’s helped facilitate sales of more than 7,000 luxury watches priced over $10,000.
“EBay’s association with this year’s show is a paramount and timely milestone amid a series of achievements for our luxury business over the past year,” noted eBay General Manager of Luxury Tirath Kamdar.
EBay will be at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show at the Wynn Las Vegas on Aug. 24-26. The company will be located at “eBay Boulevard” between the Lafite and Latour Ballrooms, the hallway that was previously home to the Couture Show’s Design Atelier of emerging designers.
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, eBay will host a “Sunset Cocktail Event” at The Wynn Sunset Terrace from 5:30-7 p.m. for cocktails and sweet treats.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, eBay will provide luxury secondhand watch market insights at the JCK Keynote Panel.
National Jeweler chatted with Kamdar ahead of these events.
[This interview has been edited for length and clarity.]
National Jeweler: Why has eBay decided to exhibit for the first time this year at the Antique Jewelry & Watch Show?
Tirath Kamdar: EBay’s participation underscores the ongoing efforts to expand industry engagement with the marketplace, which has become one of the world’s largest online marketplaces of high-passion, high-value, and hard-to-find luxury items, including new and pre-owned timepieces from leading watchmakers, as well as antique, vintage, and contemporary jewelry pieces.
NJ: What have eBay’s watch purchases been like in the last year?
TK: Our watches business accelerated from 16 percent to 38 percent in Q1, and this growth is lifting sales in other areas.
Luxury watches sales reached their highest number of transactions on eBay in the January 2021 to June 2021 six-month period, compared to the last two years.
Tudor and TAG Heuer [are two brands that have] gained popularity amid the pandemic. Rolex, TAG Heuer, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe are of some of our most expensive brands sold over the last three years, with one of the most expensive styles being a Patek Philippe Nautilus Rose Gold Self-winding Chronograph 40MM Watch 5980R-001.
NJ: Can you tell me a bit about the authentication service and how it helps with consumer confidence?
TK: We know trust is important among the watch community, which is why we launched our Authenticity Guarantee service last year in the U.S., where shoppers can browse and shop eBay’s listings with the “Authenticity Guarantee” badge, which indicates the item is eligible for inspection through the new program.
“EBay is a cultural barometer for what is happening in the world.”—Tirath Kamdar, eBay general manager of luxury
EBay’s Authenticity Guarantee service protects both our buyers and sellers. For our buyers, we offer a wide selection of inventory, competitive pricing, and no buyer fees, while ensuring they can find the exact watch they are looking for with confidence that it is authentic and exactly as it is listed.
For our sellers, we offer confidence knowing that a third-party expert is verifying every watch, and if a buyer decides to make a return, the seller will receive the watch back in the same condition it was sent in.
We are evolving our offerings and giving eBay watch customers exactly what they want: incredible selection with an added layer of trust and confidence that their high-value purchases are 100 percent authentic.
NJ: Based on shopper data, can you speak to the latest luxury watch trends?
TK: EBay is a cultural barometer for what is happening in the world, and shoppers flock to eBay for our unique selection of inventory from top brands.
EBay recently released its Luxury Trend Report in partnership with Vogue Business, which showcases a snapshot of luxury trends, the tried-and-true popularity of iconic brands, a look at emerging styles, and consumer sentiments towards luxury and luxury resale.
We found that men are more likely to invest in luxury, as 76 percent of men are investing in pre-owned luxury, with 57 percent of men buying pre-owned luxury at least once a month compared to 37 percent of female shoppers.
Men are also more likely to turn their investment into a sale, with 64 percent of men selling pre-owned luxury purchases compared to women at 50 percent.
Additionally, luxury watch sales have reached a record high. From top brands alone, such as Rolex, Omega, Breitling, Patek Philippe, and Cartier, more than 25,000 watches were sold in the first half of 2021 on eBay.
Following the launch of eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee, many brands saw upticks in searches, such as IWC, whose searches increased 12 percent month-over-month.
NJ: Is there anything else you would like to add?
TK: EBay’s authenticated categories continue to expand, and we are always looking for ways to offer the best experience to our over millions of active shoppers and sellers by enhancing our trusted experience on eBay for even more inventory across luxury categories.
We also continue to explore opportunities to include more offerings that will drive the user experience forward.
For example, once eBay’s authentication inspection is complete, watches receive a unique Authenticity Guarantee certificate with details about the item, including brand and model, in addition to an NFC tag, which is a high-tech digital feature that can conjure authentication information with a tap of a smartphone.
More on Watches
The Latest
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
Weekly QuizMay 30, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
TechnologyMay 29, 2025
GemFind Launches AI Product Description SoftwareGemText AI uses artificial intelligence to generate tailored product titles, descriptions, and tags with jewelry-specific language.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Graff Unveils New Las Vegas FlagshipThe 3,300-square foot location is the jeweler's largest store in North America.
CrimeMay 28, 2025
8 Convicted in Kim Kardashian Jewelry Heist TrialAging and with myriad health issues, none will serve time for their roles in robbing the billionaire celebrity at gunpoint in 2016.
CollectionsMay 28, 2025
NY Liberty’s 2024 Championship Rings Honor Historic WinThe WNBA team received rings imbued with meaning, from leaf motifs and its Liberty torch to the number of diamonds used.
MajorsMay 28, 2025
Andrew Rickard Named JBT PresidentA longtime executive at RDI Diamonds, Rickard has served on the JBT board for the past five years.
MajorsMay 27, 2025
MJSA to Become Part of Jewelers of America The two organizations have signed an affiliation agreement that’s expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
Al Capone’s Patek Philippe Pocket Watch Back Up for AuctionThe platinum and diamond watch is part of Sotheby’s upcoming Important Watches sale.
AuctionsMay 27, 2025
182-Carat Paraíba-Type Tourmaline Sells for $487K Recovered in Mozambique, “The Kat Florence Lumina” was part of Bonhams’ Hong Kong jewelry auction held last week.
TrendsMay 27, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Candy-Colored GemstonesGet a taste of the delicious candy-like gemstones in this Amanda’s Style File.
CrimeMay 23, 2025
JSA Shares Holiday Weekend Security Tips Amid Spike in BurglariesJSA’s Scott Guginsky provided a list of nine security measures jewelers should observe while locking up for the long weekend.
CollectionsMay 23, 2025
Piece of the Week: Bliss Lau’s ‘Bright’ RingFrom Lau’s “Love of a Kind” series, the engagement ring was inspired by the moon and holds a different meaning depending on how it is worn.
GradingMay 23, 2025
GIA Updates Pearl Classification SystemThe lab has adjusted the scale it uses for nacre grading.
Supplier BulletinMay 22, 2025
How to Put Natural Diamonds Back in the SpotlightSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
CrimeMay 22, 2025
NY Jeweler Sentenced in Shoving Death of Colleague at IJO ShowDavid Walton will serve three years’ probation after an incident in a hotel bar led to the death of West Virginia jeweler David Ettinger.
FinancialsMay 22, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s Full-Year U.S. Sales Climb 14% The retailer also provided an update on how the tariffs situation in the U.S. is affecting its business.
IndependentsMay 22, 2025
Adeler Jewelers Celebrates 50 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Great Falls, Virginia, will be celebrating its golden jubilee with a year’s worth of events.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Announce JudgesThe nonprofit elected five judges who will decide the winners of its design competition.
MajorsMay 22, 2025
MJSA Releases 2025-2026 Buyer’s GuideThis year’s edition includes articles on the favorite tools of notable designers, evaluating when to outsource production, and more.
