The Most Expensive Watch Ever Sold on eBay Revealed

It’s no surprise that some of the best watches for men inevitably find their way onto the second-hand market, but that’s nothing to frown at. After resounding success in the USA, eBay is bringing their watch Authenticity Guarantee programme to the UK. Frankly, it couldn’t come at a better time. As more collectors take to the online marketplace in search of their next acquisition, some extra trust can go a very long way. That’s exactly what this programme provides via third-party experts, who inspect and verify every single luxury watch (excluding modifieds) sold for over £2,000, allowing UK-based shoppers to buy with absolute confidence.

To prove as much, the site offered a quick peek behind the proverbial curtain, sharing watch-related stats from over the last few years. Here are some of the key takeaways:

• Searches for watches have increased on eBay UK by 31% over the last two years, with a watch selling every 28 seconds last year on the platform.
• The most popular watch brands (based on sales) are Rolex, Omega, and Tudor.
• The most popular model (based on sales) is the Rolex Datejust.

The Most Expensive Watch Sold on eBay

What about the most expensive watch sold?! Some of you might be yelling by this point. First of all: take it easy. Now that you’ve calmed down a bit, we can tell you that the most expensive watch sold on eBay UK in the past three years is the Rolex GMT Master II 126715CHNR. Offered in a 40mm case of rose gold with a black dial, the legendary timepiece fetched £50,000 back in 2019.

You were probably thinking that we’d tell you the most expensive watch ever sold on eBay and not just in the UK over the last three years. Whilst the marketplace didn’t share that information, some quick research tells us that they once sold a Patek Philippe Grand Complications Watch for US$535,499.99. Call it a serious price tag for a seriously collectable watch from a seriously reputable manufacturer.

Authenticity Guarantee

Rolex. Patek Philippe. Omega. Tudor. These are but a few amongst the legion of luxury brands one can currently find on eBay UK. And thanks to the Authenticity Guarantee programme, you can rest assured that the watch you ordered is the one you’ll get. To ensure nothing but maximum confidence, eBay has partnered with an independent team of authenticators from watch-specialists Stoll & Co, who will carry out a multi-point inspection.

Here’s how the programme works:

• When you purchase a watch (excluding modifieds) for over £2,000, the seller ships it directly to the Authentication Centre for a comprehensive, multi-point inspection by UK authenticators.
• Upon receiving the item, the authenticator confirms that it’s consistent with the listing title, description, and images.
• The authenticator verifies multiple inspection points, including the crown, bezel, dial, case, clasp/buckle, hands, end links, and reference number.
• Any collateral that is sent alongside the piece is also vetted, including inner and outer boxes, as well as the pillow on which the watch is presented.
• Each watch is given a unique barcode and entered into a tracking system. An eBay tag embedded with NFC chip technology is attached to guarantee its authenticity and finalise the process, driving confidence in the collectability and resale value.

For all the savvy sellers out there, eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee programme also offers enhanced protection with verified returns. Should you choose to offer returns, the programme ensures the exact item initially sold is returned to the seller, via a verified returns process. Each return is shipped back directly to the authentication centre, where the third-party authenticators verify each item and its condition before returning it to the seller.

Luxury Watches on eBay UK

Maybe you were one of the unlucky bidders on that Rolex GMT Master II. Or maybe you don’t have £50,000 to drop on a classic timepiece, putting you in the same camp as the rest of us. Fret not because eBay UK puts a ton of other luxury models at your fingertips. That includes the following legends:

Rolex Datejust 278274 with 31mm Steel & White Gold Case and Green Dial

More and more women are getting passionate about mechanical watches like this one from Rolex, which delivers the classic combination of a green dial and white gold case. The perfect gift for lovers of premium luxury and high performance, it’s available just in time for the holidays.

Buy it here

Rolex Daytona 116520 Black Dial Stainless Steel

Here we have a handsome 2014 Rolex Daytona that puts everything people love about the model on bold display. This is where luxury and sport collide and it’s as breathtaking now as ever before.

Buy it here

Patek Philippe Annual Calendar 5205G-010

This rare beast practically pops off the screen so just imagine how it appears in person. Presented in excellent condition, it injects classic features with an avant-garde sensibility.

Buy it here

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26400IO.OO.A004CA.02

As robust as it is recognisable, this Royal Oaks Offshore features a grey “Mega Tapisserie” dial, eight screws on the ceramic bezel, a titanium case, and signature details. It’s unworn and ready for adventures of every possible variety.

Buy it here

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320ST.OO.1220ST.02

Between its clean white dial and brushed stainless steel bezel, this Royal Oaks Chronograph strikes the perfect balance between bold construction and elegant design. It’s what we like to call a guaranteed head-turner.

Buy it here

Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 79010SG Silver

One of Tudor’s latest releases, this automatic dive watch bears all the hallmarks of an instant icon. It’s masculine in colour, water-resistant to 200m, and coupled with a NATO strap.

Buy it here

Tudor Black Bay GMT “Pepsi” Automatic Watch 79830RB

Tudor offers this recent take on the famous “Pepsi” bezel, a fixture in the annals of dive watch history. When you can’t afford a Rolex, it’s the next best thing!

Buy it here

eBay UK

One doesn’t need to be an avid watch collector to know about the hazards of buying expensive collectables online. Indeed, who’s to say there’s not some criminal out there trying to hock an imitation Rolex this very minute? That’s exactly where eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee programme comes into effect. It automatically applies to every watch (excluding modifieds) sold for over £2,000, ensuring peace of mind and wrist alike. And that’s how you buy a watch online in the 21st century. Period.

Check it out