Trump’s 39% Tariff on Swiss Imports Sends Watch Buyers Flocking to the Pre-Owned Market

Bob's Watches

The Trump administration's recently announced 39% tariff on Swiss watch imports—set to take effect on August 7, 2025—has sent seis…

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Bob’s Watches

, America’s largest reseller of pre-owned Rolex and other Swiss luxury models, insiders say the secondary market is becoming the go-to escape valve. As Paul Altieri, CEO of Bob’s Watches, observed. 'If the new watch market slows under the weight of tariffs, the pre-owned market may very well become the lifeboat.' He notes that when new watch inventory tightens up, savvy buyers and sellers pivot to secondhand models for value and availability—a dynamic that is reshaping the broader market.

Looking ahead, the secondary market is poised to grow further: industry analysts predict pre-owned watch prices could rise by 10% within a month and up to 35% over six months, as buyers pivot away from inflated new-watch pricing.