Buying Pre-Owned Luxury Watches in the UK: What to Know Before You Buy
January 29, 2026
Buying a pre-owned luxury watch in the UK has never been more popular. For many
At MVS Watches, the question we hear most often from buyers looking at pre-owned OMEGA is simple: Seamaster vs Speedmaster?
On paper, they sit under the same brand. In reality, they appeal to very different types of owners. Having handled, sold, and sourced countless examples of both, the distinction becomes clear very quickly.
This isn’t about specifications alone. It’s about how these watches are actually worn, lived with, and enjoyed.
The Seamaster is the choice for buyers who want a watch that can handle real life without compromise. It is built first and foremost as a tool watch, and that comes through the moment you put one on the wrist.
The Seamaster models we most commonly stock include:
Across the range, modern Seamasters are automatic, robust, and properly water resistant. This is the watch people buy when they want something they can wear all day, every day, without having to think twice.
One concern we hear regularly is size. Some buyers worry that Seamaster models will feel bulky on the wrist. In practice, that presence is part of the design. These watches are engineered to withstand pressure, water, and impact, housing automatic Co-Axial movements inside cases designed for serious use. As a modern dive watch, a bit of substance is not only expected, it is reassuring.
For many buyers, the Seamaster ends up being the most practical luxury watch they own.
The Speedmaster sits at the other end of the spectrum. While it can certainly be worn daily, it is fundamentally a watch driven by history, mechanics, and emotional appeal rather than outright practicality.
The Speedmaster references we regularly handle include:
This is where OMEGA’s heritage really comes alive. From the NASA connection to the hand-finished movements, the Speedmaster speaks to collectors who enjoy understanding what is happening beneath the dial.
Many Speedmasters are manual wind, and that alone divides opinion. Some buyers dislike the routine of winding a watch each morning or worry about over-winding. Others see it as part of the charm. From our perspective, that daily interaction creates a stronger connection with the watch. It becomes something you engage with, not just wear.
We are unapologetically drawn to the Speedmaster’s space history, particularly the limited edition releases OMEGA has produced over the past 30 years. The Apollo 17 45th Anniversary remains a personal favourite, though the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary and Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary are impossible to ignore.
One of the most common mistakes buyers make is assuming one of these watches is objectively better than the other.
In reality:
Understanding why you are buying matters more than the name on the dial.
From our experience:
Choose a Seamaster if you want:
Choose a Speedmaster if you want:
Neither choice is wrong. They simply reflect different priorities.
Both collections perform strongly on the pre-owned market, but for different reasons. Seamaster models offer excellent value relative to their original retail prices, especially when compared with similarly specified dive watches from other brands.
Speedmasters, particularly limited editions and historically important references, attract long-term collector interest. Availability, condition, and completeness often matter more than age.
Buying pre-owned opens access to references that are no longer available new, often with better value and greater character.
At MVS Watches, we usually recommend the Seamaster to buyers looking for a reliable, modern daily watch, and the Speedmaster to those who value history, mechanics, and long-term collectability.
If you are torn between the two, that usually tells us you are leaning towards the Speedmaster already.
One of the advantages of buying pre-owned is flexibility. If you’re still deciding, you can explore our latest new arrivals or browse our full pre-owned OMEGA collection to see what’s currently available.
For most people, yes. The Seamaster is designed as a modern tool watch, with higher water resistance, automatic movements, and greater durability for daily use. It suits buyers who want one watch they can wear all day without thinking about it.
Certain Speedmaster references, particularly limited editions and historically significant models, tend to attract stronger long-term collector interest. Seamaster models generally offer excellent value pre-owned, but Speedmasters often appeal more to collectors focused on heritage and rarity.
While some Speedmasters have basic water resistance, they are not designed as dive or swim watches. If regular swimming or water exposure is important, the Seamaster is the more appropriate choice.
It depends on the wearer. Some buyers enjoy the daily ritual of winding a Speedmaster and feel it creates a stronger connection to the watch. Others prefer the convenience of an automatic movement, which is where the Seamaster tends to suit better.
Both are strong pre-owned purchases. The Seamaster suits buyers looking for everyday practicality and modern specifications, while the Speedmaster appeals more to those drawn to mechanical history and collectability. The right choice depends on how the watch will be worn rather than resale alone.
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