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.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Watches
The Latest
Lab-GrownNov 10, 2026
GIA Examines Pink Lab-Grown Diamond Made to Look NaturalThe 6-carat CVD-grown pink diamond was “deliberately modified” to mimic the appearance of a natural rough diamond, the lab said.
SourcingNov 10, 2026
Botswana in Line to Take Controlling Stake in De Beers, President Says If the Global Diamond Consortium emerges as the top bidder for De Beers, Botswana’s stake will double to 30 percent, Duma Boko said Monday.
ColumnistsNov 10, 2026
Who Checks the Facts When AI Writes Your Jewelry Copy?An incorrect AI-generated ad or product description can cost your store valuable consumer trust.
Brought to you by
DSF Antique Jewelry: Fine Jewelry, Signed Designers, and a World of Rare DiscoveriesWith over 50 years experience in the trade, DSF Antique Jewelry offers quality, craftsmanship, condition, and remarkable variety.
Events & AwardsNov 09, 2026
Here Are the 2027 Gem Award NomineesThese nine individuals and brands are up for a Gem Award in the Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation categories.
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeNov 09, 2026
Jeweler Pistol-Whipped, $900K in Jewelry Stolen During Home Invasion The incident, which happened in Miami-Dade County, serves as a reminder to jewelers of the dangers of selling and storing jewelry at home.
GradingNov 09, 2026
GIA Acquires Thousands of Gem Specimens With ‘Extraordinary’ InclusionsGIA Analytical Microscopist John Koivula curated the collection of 2,665 crystals, gems, and minerals over a 60-year span.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
CollectionsNov 09, 2026
Bibi van der Velden’s Alligators Become High JewelryThe “Eclipse” collection, the brand’s first high jewelry line, centers its alligator motif in diamond and spinel jewels.
EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
