The watch market has seen some massive changes over the past few years. In the past two to three years, we have seen prices decrease quite a bit. It is fair to say that a post-pandemic slump hit the watch industry. This makes today’s pre-owned and vintage market a buyer’s market, where you can purchase your dream watch for a good price. As the leading marketplace in the world, Chrono24 has unique insight into the global secondary watch market – and with Chronopulse, we enable our users to monitor past price developments and help to uncover future trends.
Looking back at the overall numbers for 2024, it’s been a year that can be split in half. While the year’s first half was fairly stable, the second half showed a gradual price decline. But don’t be fooled – there were also some models that bucked this overriding trend and achieved a solid price performance. We have created an overview of the five best-performing watches on Chronopulse.
1. Cartier Santos 100 ref. 2656
Cartier is the best example of a brand that performs atypically in a market that is trending downward. The best-performing Cartier this past year has been the Santos 100 ref. 2656. The Santos 100 series was introduced in 2004 to celebrate the Santos’ 100th anniversary and remained in production until 2017.
The Santos 100 ref. 2656, at the top of our list, is a great option if you are searching for a modern-sized Santos powered by an automatic movement.
The watch has a stainless-steel case measuring 38mm in width, 51mm in length, and 10.3mm in thickness. While the case size is substantial, it wears very well thanks to the slim overall profile. Inside the case, you’ll find Cartier’s Caliber 049, which is based on the ETA 2892-A2. It combines the everyday ease of an automatic movement with a modern interpretation of the classic Cartier style. It’s no surprise that it is the best-performing watch of 2024, with a rise in prices of 26.46%. Depending on the condition of the watch, you can get one for between roughly 3,500 EUR and 6,000 EUR on Chrono24 Marketplace.
2. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande Taille ref. 270.8.62
Another brand known for its design brilliance is Jaeger-LeCoultre. More specifically, the brand is celebrated for its industry icon, the Reverso. Developed as a sports watch for polo players in the early 1930s, the Reverso has transformed over time into a stylish dress watch, with its defining feature being a case that can flip.
The Reverso Grande Taille ref. 270.8.62 is one of the larger models produced from the late 1990s until the early 2010s. The watch has a case that is 26mm wide and 42mm long. It fits a variety of wrist sizes for both men and women and is powered by the manually wound JLC Caliber 822 – a beautiful in-house movement that fits the case perfectly.
This timepiece is popular because it’s one of the more affordable Reverso models. As more people have taken notice, prices have increased by 22.86% during the past year. You can find this watch in a very good preowned condition starting at roughly 5,000 EUR on Chrono24. It remains a perfect and stylish fit for a decent price from this prestigious brand.
3. Grand Seiko SBGM221
Grand Seiko is one of those brands that offers a wide variety of great options. If you’re familiar with Grand Seiko, you know the brand creates incredible watches that stand out due to their high-precision movements and exceptional finishing. The handmade watches are crafted with unparalleled attention to detail, and their Zaratsu mirror polishing is truly remarkable.
The SBGM221 is the most affordable GMT watch in the brand’s Elegance line. It features a classic 39.5mm round stainless-steel case, making it a perfectly wearable timepiece. Its cream-colored, traditionally styled dial exudes watchmaking tradition, and the arrow-shaped blued GMT hand immediately stands out with its striking color.
This beautiful and elegant GMT watch saw asking prices increase by 19.78%, with prices ranging from roughly 3,000 EUR to 4,500 EUR on Chrono24 Marketplace.
4. TAG Heuer Carrera Caliber Heuer 02 ref. CBN2011.BA0642
TAG Heuer’s Carrera is one of those industry classics that will always remain popular. The brand introduced the first Carrera in 1963, and first-generation models are adored by Heuer collectors. This year, however, the brand’s best performer is not one of the original models but the latest generation Carrera.
The TAG Heuer Carrera Caliber Heuer 02 ref. CBN2011.BA0642 features classic styling inspired by the first Carrera models but modernized for today. The 42mm stainless-steel case houses the modern in-house Caliber 02 chronograph movement. This special reference has a bright blue dial with a sunburst finish that literally draws the eye. Two more striking totalizers are placed at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, while the small seconds dial is very subtly positioned at 6 o’clock.
This classically inspired sports chronograph with modern execution increased in average price by 15.68% in 2024. You can still find one on Chrono24 Marketplace starting at roughly 3,500 EUR, with prices going up to 5,000 EUR.
5. Breitling Chronomat Evolution ref. A13356
The fifth watch on our list comes from Breitling’s popular Chronomat series. The Chronomat was introduced in 1940 as a revolutionary pilot’s watch, featuring a slide rule for critical calculations and conversions. As some may know, this watch paved the way for the iconic Navitimer, which became the brand’s most famous model.
The Chronomat name disappeared for a while but was reintroduced in 1984. The first modern version remained in production until 2004, when they were replaced by the Chronomat Evolution which introduced a larger 43.7mm case with a thickness of 17.1mm.
Inside that case, you’ll find a chronometer-certified version of the legendary Valjoux 7750 movement. From 2007 onwards, the watch was simply called the Chronomat, until it was replaced by the Chronomat B01 in 2009. Prices for the Chronomat Evolution ref. A13356 rose by 14.09% in 2024, with stainless-steel versions priced between roughly 2,500 EUR and 5,000 EUR on Chrono24 Marketplace.
Conclusion
The watches on this list have significantly outperformed most of the market in 2024. While prices for the majority of watches have dropped, these models have demonstrated resilience. Their reasonable prices indicate that they are sought after because of their value, not merely their popularity. Ultimately, you should look for watches that you love and that fit your budget. In today’s buyer’s market, you may be surprised at how many great watches can be yours for a great price.
