The past few years haven’t exactly been the best time to invest in watches. Some of the biggest brands and models have hit a slump and still haven’t recovered. But that’s mostly for investors. For collectors, on the other hand, it’s actually been a great time to be a watch lover.

Gone are the days when hundreds of flippers were selling hyped but rather boring watches for multiple times their retail value. Instead, we’re in a collector’s market. What that means is you can snag some pretty cool watches for much less than you could a while back. As the premier luxury watch marketplace in the UK, Watch Collecting knows this all too well.

In recent months, the platform has seen a wide variety of watches sold. From underrated bargains that should’ve been pricier to ultra-high-end pieces that you rarely find on the open market, there’s been something for everyone. To give you an idea of the kind of watches Watch Collecting deals in, we’ve picked a handful of the most interesting watches sold over the past few weeks. Sure, that means these watches are no longer available, but keep your eyes peeled. This won’t be the first or last time they pop up.

Rolex Cellini, £1,499 (1990)
Even after being discontinued, the Rolex Cellini doesn’t get the love it deserves. This is a perfectly small dress watch, and this unusual rectangular version, with its president-adjacent gold-on-gold look, is the polar opposite of modern Rolex. Other than the quirky minute markers etched directly onto the bezel, it’s pure minimalism. It just goes to show how disproportionately loved Rolex’s steel sports models are. A rare vintage Rolex for £1,499? In watch collecting, that seems crazy in theory. But for the underappreciated Cellini, it’s par for the course.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Number One Platinum, £14,500 (2000s)
Step away from the Royal Oaks, Daytonas, and Nautiluses, and you’ll be surprised at the value you can find in pre-owned watches. Case in point: this platinum-cased, gorgeously skeletonized watch from one of Switzerland’s oldest brands, for under £15,000. Not only was it the first platinum Reverso Jaeger-LeCoultre ever produced, but it’s also limited to 500 pieces, making it both rare and historically significant for the brand. Given how many collectors aren’t looking at older JLCs at the moment, this was a great buy—and there are plenty more like it.

Cartier Crash Skeleton, £85,000 (2017)
In recent years, the asymmetrical Crash has become an icon among horology aficionados; it’s another highlight of the bizarre case shapes that Parisian maison excels in. These days it’s a regular at auctions, though few variants are as collectible as this skeletonized edition. The openworked bridges curve perfectly with the case, and even by Cartier standards, it’s spectacular. That’s what makes this watch stand out among other Crash references.

Richard Mille RM67-01, £120,000 (2021)
It’s hard to say that any Richard Mille is reasonably priced given the watchmaker’s astronomical figures, but the RM67-01 here is certainly a captivating piece. Most watches of this caliber are either auctioned off or traded between private sellers, so seeing it here just proves Watch Collecting’s reach. Then there’s the watch itself—it’s beautiful. Its case is set with diamonds, and it’s one of Richard Mille’s slimmest watches (when it launched in 2016, it was the thinnest of them all). It’s quintessential Richard Mille, with the seller walking away with £120,000. I bet the buyer will agree it’s worth every penny.

Of course, the market may be a little soft, but that’s never stopped collectors from chasing a Daytona. Particularly true in the case of the 2024 Le Mans series, which pays tribute to the iconic endurance race as a special edition for this year’s event, matching (almost) perfectly with the annual champion’s watch. It has all the modern hallmarks—a ceramic tachymeter bezel, the Rolex Calibre 4132, and an all-white gold case. It’s understandable why these watches rarely hit the market. They’re not only rare, but if you have one in your collection, chances are it’s not going anywhere. The price is high, but nowhere near as high as it was a few years ago. For more information, welcome to visit Noob Factory website!