Patek Philippe's High-End Timepieces Lead the Charge in the Second-Hand Watch Market
The luxury watch market is experiencing a resurgence, with Patek Philippe's precious metal timepieces taking the lead. In the latest Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, Patek Philippe watches emerged as the top performers, showcasing a remarkable 26-place jump for the white gold Nautilus Perpetual Calendar. This surge in popularity is not limited to a single model; the Patek Philippe Rose Gold Travel Time Chronograph also made a strong comeback. Despite Rolex's dominance in the overall volume of sales, Patek Philippe's presence in the top seven models is a significant shift, as noted by Subdial's data expert, Alexander Nussbacher.
The index's recent update for 2026 highlights a clear preference for pricier models, coinciding with a surge in secondary market prices for luxury watches in January, the highest in over two years. Nussbacher attributes this trend to the high-priced watches driving overall returns. The Rolex Lady DateJust Bimetal also made a comeback in the index, further emphasizing the market's shift towards more expensive timepieces.
Patek Philippe's Performance in the Secondary Market
Subdial's analysis reveals that the pre-owned Patek Philippe market has seen an impressive 18% growth since early 2025, outpacing the 10% rise in the Rolex index. This performance is particularly notable given the steep increase in raw material prices, including gold and silver, which has impacted the market. Gold models, in particular, have seen significant gains in the latest rankings, indicating a strong demand for these luxury watches.
The secondary market for luxury watches is showing signs of recovery after a prolonged slump, but it remains vulnerable to economic fluctuations, as noted by Andrea Felsted. Despite this sensitivity, the market's upward trajectory is a positive sign for watch enthusiasts and investors alike.
