The Top 8 Pre-Owned Luxury Watches for Investment in 2026

For a long time, watch collecting was about "the hunt" for a rare movement or a specific dial. But in 2026, the conversation has shifted.
With gold surging over 65% in 2025 and retail prices for precious metal pieces jumping as much as 15% in the U.S., collectors are looking at their wrists as "wearable assets."

If you’re looking to park capital in a timepiece this year, you need to understand the metal-to-margin ratio.

Here are our guess of the 10 best pre-owned luxury watches for investment in 2026, ranked by scarcity, material value, and historical performance (all our value data come from Chrono24 data insights).

The data provided are analysis of 2025, because sometimes to understand the present, you need to look at the past: 

1. Rolex Day-Date 40 "President" (Yellow Gold – Ref. 228238)

The "Gold Standard" Investment. With the price of 18k gold reaching historic peaks, the Day-Date has moved from a "status symbol" to a "commodity hedge." We saw an increase in the secondary market for this solid gold model by nearly 6.6% just in the last 6 months (and 4.6% since January 2025).

• Why it’s an investment: In the pre-owned market, older 228238 references are now trading closer to their new retail anchors, providing a "floor" for your investment based on raw gold weight alone.

2. Patek Philippe Nautilus (Stainless Steel – Ref. 5711/1A)

The King of Scarcity. Despite the introduction of the Cubitus and other models, the discontinued 5711 remains the "blue chip" of the watch world.

• Metal View: While only steel, its "cultural scarcity" outweighs precious metals. In late 2025, this Patek price rebounded by 5.5%, proving that for the ultra-wealthy, steel is still the ultimate luxury.

3. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (Gold – Ref. 116528)

In the 2026 market, the 116528 is a stronger "investment-grade" mention than the current 126508.
Why? Because while Rolex raised retail prices for new gold Daytonas by nearly 19% in 2025 and another 5-6% in early 2026, the pre-owned 116528 allows investors to capture that same "gold weight" value at a lower entry point, while benefiting from the scarcity of a discontinued reference. 

Its growth was around 1.3% compared to 2025: however, since the gold market started to grow exponentially, we saw a spike of 3% in the last 6 months. 

4. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (Titanium/Platinum – Ref. 15510)

The Lightweight Heavyweight. Titanium is the breakout metal of 2026. This model combines a titanium case with a platinum bezel.

• Scarcity: AP has tightened production significantly. Buying this pre-owned allows you to bypass a multi-year waitlist while holding a watch made of metals that are increasingly expensive to machine.
  

5. Rolex Submariner "Hulk" (Steel – Ref. 116610LV)

The Discontinued Darling. The green-dial "Hulk" is a masterclass in supply and demand. Unlike the newer 41mm "Starbucks," the 116610LV has a unique green gold-dust dial that Rolex no longer produces.

• Investment Angle: Steel sports Rolexes are the most liquid assets in the world. You can sell a Hulk in 24 hours in any major city.

6. Vacheron Constantin Overseas (Pink Gold – Ref. 4500V)

The "Holy Trinity" Alternative. As Patek and AP prices reached "billionaire-only" levels, collectors flocked to Vacheron.

• Last Year’s Increase: Pink gold Overseas models saw a steady 10-12% rise in the secondary market last year as buyers looked for "value" within the Holy Trinity.

7. Patek Philippe Aquanaut (Steel – Ref. 5167A)

The Entry-Level Icon. Don't let the word "entry-level" fool you. Retail price hikes of 15% in 2025 due to U.S. tariffs have sent the pre-owned 5167A prices skyrocketing.

• Trend: It is currently one of the few steel watches that consistently trades for 2x to 3x its retail price.

8. Rolex GMT-Master II "Pepsi" (Steel – Ref. 126710BLRO)

The Scarcity King. Rumors of bezel production difficulties continue to plague the "Pepsi," keeping supply artificially low.

• Metal View: While it’s "just" Oystersteel, the difficulty of firing the red-and-blue ceramic bezel makes this a "tech-driven" rarity.

9. Omega Speedmaster "Snoopy Award" (50th Anniversary)

The Non-Rolex Outlier. Omega usually doesn't "appreciate" like Rolex, but the Silver Snoopy is the exception.

• Investment Angle: Scarcity is the driver here. Getting one at retail is nearly impossible, and the secondary market has shown remarkable resilience, holding its value even when the broader market dipped in 2024.

10. Cartier Santos (Medium – Two-Tone Gold/Steel)

The "Quiet Luxury" Entry. Two-tone (Rolesor) is back. For 2026, the "Two-Tone" market is the "sweet spot" for investors.

• Why: It offers the "intrinsic value" of gold with the "durability" of steel. Cartier’s brand equity has surged 20% among younger investors, making the Santos a highly liquid, stable asset.

Watch Investment Performance: 2026 Market Analysis

Key Takeaways for the 2026 Secondary Market

• The Metal Floor: Watches in solid 18k gold and platinum are seeing a price floor increase because the raw material value has risen significantly, making even older pre-owned models more expensive.

• Price Performance: The Stainless Steel market remains the most liquid (easy to sell), but Titanium is the fastest-growing search term for collectors looking for modern "technical" luxury.

• Scarcity vs. Hype: Models like the Rolex Pepsi and Patek Nautilus have shifted from "hype" to "stable assets" due to proven long-term scarcity and consistent dealer demand.
  
  

Final Verdict for 2026

If you are investing this year, follow the metal.

• Gold is your hedge against inflation.

• Steel is your play for liquidity and "flippability."

• Titanium is the collector's choice for the next decade.