San Diego Watch Buyers

We Buy Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Panerai, and More

Sell a Rolex & Luxury Watches

Are you looking to sell a Rolex watch in San Diego or turn a luxury timepiece into cash? You’re in the right place. C. Blackburn Jewelers of La Jolla is one of San Diego County’s most trusted watch buyers, known for offering competitive prices and a safe, professional experience.

We specialize in pre-owned Rolex and other high-end watches, and we even offer short-term collateral loans for those who prefer borrowing against their watch instead of selling.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about selling your luxury watch in San Diego: from the brands we buy and our easy selling process to expert answers for common questions.

Whether you have a modern Rolex Submariner, a vintage Patek Philippe, or an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, we’re here to help you get the best value with confidence.

Continue to reading or contact us now to get a cash offer.

How Different Watch Selling Options Compare in San Diego

When selling a luxury watch in San Diego County, both the payout you receive and the speed of payment can differ greatly depending on where you sell. This chart compares typical resale value ranges (as a percentage of current market value) alongside how quickly you can expect to be paid, helping you choose the option that best balances value and convenience.

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Selling Option	Typical Offer vs. Market Value	Payment Speed
C. Blackburn Jewelers	80-85%	Same Day
Online Marketplace	70-80%	14-42+ Days
Pawn Shop	60-70%	Same Day
Auction House	75-90%	45-90+ Days

Note: Percentages shown are typical net payouts compared to current resale market value, based on industry averages and local market conditions in San Diego County. Actual offers and payment timelines may vary depending on your watch’s brand, model, condition, demand, and where you choose to sell. Some online and auction sales can take significantly longer if a buyer is not found quickly or if payment is delayed.

Why Sell a Watch to Carl Blackburn

Choosing the right buyer is key to getting a fair deal for your luxury watch. Here’s why San Diego sellers turn to C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla:

✔️ Experience & Trust: We are second-generation jewelers with over a decade of local experience buying fine watches. Owner Carl Blackburn is a GIA-trained jewelry designer and a recognized watch expert who has been featured in the La Jolla Light newspaper and the Discover La Jolla podcast. Our store has earned a BBB A rating, reflecting our commitment to honest, reputable service.

✔️ Top Dollar Paid: C. Blackburn Jewelers is known as one of San Diego’s top-paying watch buyers. We have a network of collectors and clients for luxury timepieces, which often allows us to offer some of the highest prices for your watch. If we have a buyer waiting for your model or the ability to hold it until the right buyer comes along, we can pay more – we’re not looking for a quick flip at your expense.

✔️ Safe & Convenient Process: Our selling process is straightforward, secure, and pressure-free. We provide free appraisals and no-obligation quotes so you can decide without stress. Transactions are conducted confidentially in our private La Jolla showroom, and you receive immediate payment (cash, check, or wire) on the spot once you accept our offer.

✔️ Expert Authenticity Checks: Worried about not having papers or the watch’s condition? We have the expertise and tools to authenticate and evaluate your Rolex or other high-end watch, even if you don’t have the original box or paperwork. Our knowledge of luxury watches – including vintage and rare models – ensures you get credit for all the value in your timepiece.

✔️ Full-Service Estate Buyers: We do more than just buy watches. As a boutique estate jewelry buyer, we can also purchase any fine jewelry, diamonds, or gold you might be selling. If your luxury watch is part of an estate or collection, we have the expertise to evaluate it all.

This one-stop convenience and our 30+ years of professional experience make the process easier for you.

In short, selling your watch to C. Blackburn Jewelers means working with a reputable local expert who values your timepiece properly and makes the experience easy and rewarding.

📲 Text message & photos: 619-723-8589

Watch Brands & Models We Buy

We specialize in buying high-end watches that hold strong resale value. Below are examples of the brands and types of timepieces we purchase – and a note on those we typically do not:

⭐ Brands We Purchase: We buy most luxury Swiss and prestige watch brands, including but not limited to:

• Rolex – All models (sports, dress, vintage, etc.), especially popular pieces like the Submariner, Daytona, GMT-Master, Datejust, and rare collectible models (e.g. the Daytona “Paul Newman” edition, COMEX Submariner, “Big Crown” vintage Submariners, the golden “Goldfinger” GMT-Master, and other limited-production Rolexes). Rolex is our specialty, and we understand the nuances that make certain references highly valuable to collectors.

• Patek Philippe – Iconic models such as the Nautilus, Aquanaut, Calatrava, Grand Complications, etc. Patek Philippe watches are among the most sought-after in the world, and we are eager to buy both modern and vintage Pateks.

• Audemars Piguet (AP) – Royal Oak (including the Offshore series), Royal Oak Chronograph, Jules Audemars, and other AP models. AP’s luxury sports watches are in high demand, and we offer top payouts for them.

• Cartier – Fine Cartier timepieces like the Tank, Santos, Ballon Bleu, Panthère, and limited editions, including Cartier dress watches that often feature gold and diamonds.

• Breitling – Professional and aviation models like the Navitimer, Chronomat, SuperOcean, etc., particularly those in precious metals or limited editions.

• Omega – Popular models such as the Speedmaster (e.g., Moonwatch), Seamaster, and vintage Omegas, especially those with historical significance.

• Vacheron Constantin, Breguet, Panerai, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and other comparable luxury brands – We welcome watches from these esteemed makers as well, from a Vacheron Overseas to a Panerai Luminor or a JLC Reverso.

• High-End Independent or Vintage Brands – We also consider vintage watches from makers like Heuer (pre-TAG), Tiffany & Co. (high-end co-branded pieces), or luxury independent brands with significant resale value. If you’re unsure, just ask us about your watch – if it’s a quality timepiece with market demand, chances are we’ll be interested.

Condition: We buy watches in a range of conditions, from mint boxed sets to worn daily beaters. Even if your luxury watch isn’t currently running or needs a bit of TLC, we can still make an offer. (Keep in mind that any necessary repairs or missing parts will be factored into the value.)

📲 Text message & photos: 619-723-8589

Recent Watch Buys

Browse a selection of luxury watches we have bought recently from our San Diego clients.

How to Sell Your Watch in San Diego

C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla makes selling a luxury watch simple and secure. Here’s what to expect when you sell your Rolex or other fine timepiece to us:

1. Contact Us for a Free Valuation: Start by reaching out for a free, no-obligation appraisal of your watch. The quickest way is to text us photos of your timepiece (front, back, and any paperwork or boxes) at 📱 619-723-8589.

You can also call us at 858-251-3006 or email us with details.

Provide the brand, model, approximate age, and any known info (like “Rolex Submariner 16610 from 2005, has box and papers”). We’ll respond promptly with an initial evaluation or range based on the information provided. This verbal appraisal/cash quote is completely free.

2. Bring in Your Watch for Inspection: If our preliminary offer is in the ballpark for you, the next step is to visit our La Jolla office for an in-person examination. (Not in San Diego? We can also arrange fully insured, trackable shipping – contact us to discuss remote transactions.)

When you come in, our expert will authenticate and inspect your watch’s condition. We test its functions and examine factors like movement, serial/model numbers, and any accessories (bracelets, additional straps, original box/papers).

No paperwork or box? No problem – we can still proceed; it just might take a little extra time to thoroughly verify everything, especially given the advanced quality of high-end replica watches these days.

Important Tip: If you have any original receipts, certificates, packaging, or spare links, bring them along, as these can increase the offer we can make. And don’t forget to bring a valid ID (driver’s license or similar) – by California law, all secondhand purchases require us to record seller identification.

3. Get a Competitive Offer & Immediate Payment: After evaluating your timepiece, we will present you with a firm purchase offer. We pride ourselves on offering top dollar – our extensive client network often means we can pay more than other dealers.

We’ll explain how we arrived at the value, taking into account current market demand, recent auction prices, precious metal content, rarity, and the item’s condition. If you accept the offer, we handle some quick paperwork and pay you on the spot.

Payment is typically issued by bank wire transfer or cashier’s check, according to your preference. The entire process is fast, secure, and confidential. You walk out with payment in hand, and we take possession of the watch. It’s that easy!

Throughout the process, our goal is to make you comfortable. There’s no pressure to sell if you’re not ready – you can take our offer quote and think it over. We understand that selling a luxury watch, especially one with sentimental value, is a big decision.

Feel free to ask us any questions at any point. We’re here to help, not hassle.

La Jolla Watch dealers

Small Business – Local – Independent

Commonly Asked Questions

Do you buy watches made by Invicta, Timex, Citizen, Movado, etc.?

No, unfortunately we are unable to buy watches with a resale value less than $1,500. The used watches we most commonly buy are made by Rolex, Patek Phillipe, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, and other luxury watch brands of similar caliber and reputation.

Do I need the original paperwork to sell a Rolex watch?

No, you do not need the original papers or box to sell us your watch – we can authenticate and evaluate your Rolex or other luxury timepiece without them. Our experts are well-versed in identifying genuine high-end watches.

That said, having the original paperwork, box, and accessories can increase the value of your watch. Serious collectors love complete sets, so we can typically pay a bit more if you have these items.

Don’t worry if they’re missing; we routinely buy watches without papers. Just be aware it may take us a little extra time to thoroughly authenticate your watch in the absence of those documents, especially nowadays when counterfeiters have very advanced techniques.

We may use specialized equipment and our extensive knowledge of serial numbers, movement details, and hallmarks to verify authenticity. In short, box and papers are a nice bonus but not a requirement for us to purchase your watch.

Do you buy diamond watches?

Absolutely! In addition to being a luxury watch buyer, C. Blackburn Jewelers is one of the county’s most trusted San Diego jewelry buyers. As a popular La Jolla jewelry designer and dealer in wholesale diamonds, Carl Blackburn has a deep knowledge of fine jewelry design and diamonds. He has special expertise in buying and selling watches from luxury jewelers such as Tiffany & Co., Chopard, Cartier, and Harry Winston.

Which San Diego watch buyers pay the most money?

It’s a smart move to wonder about getting the best price. San Diego actually has quite a few reputable watch buyers (more than many other areas), so local sellers often benefit from competitive offers.

Ultimately, the watch buyer who can pay the most for an expensive piece (like a vintage Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, an Omega Speedmaster Professional, a Rolex Submariner, or a Patek Philippe Nautilus) is the one who:

• Has a ready buyer or collector lined up for that specific model, and/or

• Has the financial resources to hold your watch in inventory until the right buyer comes along, rather than needing to resell it quickly.

At C. Blackburn Jewelers, we’re proud to check both of those boxes. Because Carl Blackburn has been a recognized local watch buyer for over 10 years, there’s a good chance we already know a collector seeking your particular watch or can quickly find one through our network.

And even if we don’t have an immediate match, we have the capital to buy your watch outright and patiently keep it in our showcases until we receive an excellent offer from a retail buyer.

We don’t rely on “flipping” inventory overnight to pay the bills, so we don’t lowball our sellers. This flexibility means we can often pay more than other dealers who might be constrained by needing a quick turnaround. Our many happy clients (see our reviews!) often comment that our offer was the highest they received.

In short, the watch buyer who pays the most is the one who can afford to – and in San Diego, C. Blackburn Jewelers is known for making strong offers on quality timepieces. We aim to earn your business by giving you a truly fair price from the start.

Can I receive a free watch appraisal?

We will be happy to provide you with a free verbal watch appraisal. This appraisal is a complimentary cash quote that lets you know how much your watch is worth on the resale market.

If you would like a written watch appraisal as part of a valuation of an estate (such as after the death of a loved one or during a divorce), you can take advantage of our estate jewelry appraisal services for a reasonable fee.

📲 Text message & photos: 619-723-8589

How to Sell a Rolex Watch (Photos)

To get a preliminary watch appraisal before visiting C. Blackburn Jewelers to sell a Rolex watch, please send us the following photos. The photos of the Rolex box, papers, and warranty card are not necessary to sell your watch, but they will help you to get a higher cash offer. These are also the same types of photos you should send if selling us other expensive timepieces, such as a Patek Philippe, Omega, or Audemars Piguet.