Pre-Owned Rolex Prices Stall in Q3 as Vacheron Constantin Leads
The second-hand watch market kept rising over the summer, but Rolex sat still while two of the oldest Geneva houses moved ahead.
Chrono24's Quarterly Dial report, published on 20 October 2026, shows its ChronoPulse index of pre-owned watch prices up 0.7% in July to September and 7.5% over twelve months. Its Rolex index slipped 0.2% in the quarter, while Vacheron Constantin rose 6.7% and Patek Philippe 3.0%. WatchPro reported that Morgan Stanley linked Rolex's pause to flat demand and rising supply.
What the figures show
Chrono24 publishes the ChronoPulse index, built from transactions on its marketplace. Its third-quarter report, released on 20 October 2026, says the index rose 0.7% between July and September, its fourth rising quarter in a row, and closed September at 1,471 points.
Rolex was the exception among the big names. Chrono24 says its Rolex index fell 0.2% in the quarter, though it remains 6.0% higher than a year earlier. WatchPro noted that WatchCharts, which tracks prices differently, recorded a small rise of 0.5% for the brand over the same period.
Why Rolex paused
WatchPro reported that Morgan Stanley put the stall down to flat demand meeting rising supply, with secondary-market stock across the six biggest brands up almost 20% on a year earlier. More watches on offer gives buyers more choice, and they become more selective about which pieces they pay up for.
Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe lead
Chrono24 says Vacheron Constantin was the strongest brand of the quarter, up 6.7% and 17.7% over twelve months, closing September at a 52-week high. Patek Philippe followed, up 3.0% in the quarter. Balazs Ferenczi of Chrono24 called the two brands holding the top places at once "a notable result". Audemars Piguet, Omega and Panerai also rose, Chrono24 said.
What makes one Rolex easier to sell than another
Indices describe the market as a whole; no index can tell you about one watch, and we make no forecast. When we look at a Rolex we start with the reference and dial, then the box and papers, the service history, and whether the dial, hands, bezel and bracelet are original to the watch. Unpolished cases and complete sets are the ones buyers look for first, especially in a market with more stock. If you are thinking of selling, have the watch assessed on those points rather than on a headline.
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- Chrono24, "Two of watchmaking's 'Holy Trinity' brands now lead the ChronoPulse Index" (The Quarterly Dial, Q3 2026), 20 Oct 2026
- WatchPro, "Rolex price rally runs out of steam", 20 Oct 2026
Index figures are Chrono24's and WatchCharts' own and describe their data, not every sale. Mozeris Fine Antiques is not connected with Chrono24, WatchPro, Morgan Stanley, Rolex or Vacheron Constantin. This article gives no price guidance for readers' own watches.
