Did Gen-Z Just Get A Taste For Fancy Used-Watches

The secondary watch market, tracked by the Bloomberg Subdial Watch Index, is experiencing a resurgence after hitting a low point a year ago. Prices have risen considerably, with a nearly 9% increase in the last year, though still below pandemic-era highs. Demand for used watches is driven by fashion trends and a generational shift in wealth. Dress watches and jewelry-style pieces are gaining popularity, influenced by celebrities and the preferences of younger collectors. Gen Z favors elegance, uniqueness, and smaller sizes over previous trends. This shift also blurs gender norms, with men and women expanding their watch style choices. Recent research highlights rising demand for used Rolex watches, potentially due to tariff concerns and gold's record prices. The market for chunkier sports models is cooling down, as stated by Subdial's co-founder, Christy Davis. Younger consumers are exploring more unique watch styles. The traditional gender divide related to watch preferences is also diminishing.