Sell My Watch Chicago: Vintage Watch Buyer Chicago
Smile & Dial Watch Co. buys vintage and pre-owned watches from Chicago-area sellers: single watches, inherited collections, estates, and inventory from jewelers and retailers.
The Short Answer
If you want to sell your watch in Chicago, Smile & Dial is a vintage watch buyer that will look at it in person and make a no-obligation offer. We buy Seiko, Citizen, Omega, Rolex, Timex, Orient, Rado, Mido, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre in any era and any condition, including watches that don’t run. Send a description and a few photos, meet us for an appraisal, and if you accept, you are paid the same day.
What We Buy
Watch Brands We Buy
These are the brands we are actively looking for. Don’t see yours? Send it anyway and we’ll take a look.
Rolex
Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Submariner, GMT-Master, Daytona, and other models, vintage and modern.
Omega
Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation, De Ville, and other vintage Omega references.
Patek Philippe
Calatrava, Nautilus, Aquanaut, and other dress and sport watches.
Vacheron Constantin
Dress watches and sport models, vintage and modern.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Reverso, Memovox, and other vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre watches.
Seiko
Vintage automatics and dress watches, including Lord Matic and Seiko 5.
Citizen
Vintage automatics, divers, and Eco-Drive models.
Timex
Collectible mechanical Timex watches from the mid-century era.
Orient
Automatic dress and diver watches, vintage and modern.
Rado
Diastar and other distinctive Rado designs.
Mido
Multifort, Ocean Star, and vintage automatic Mido watches.
Any Era · Any Condition
Running or Not, We’ll Take a Look
All eras
Antique and vintage watches, mid-century classics, 1970s and 1980s pieces, and modern or recent watches. If it is one of the brands above, we want to hear about it.
Any condition
Non-running watches are okay. So are watches that need service, or are missing a crown, crystal, strap, box, or papers. Condition affects the offer, but it rarely rules a watch out.
Who We Buy From
Single Watches, Collections & Inventory
Whether you have one watch or a whole case of them, we’re a straightforward buyer.
Individuals
One watch or a few, whether you are upgrading, downsizing, or clearing out a drawer.
Estates & heirs
Inherited watches and estate lots, handled with care and without pressure.
Collectors
Collectors thinning a collection or selling a complete group.
Jewelers & retailers
Surplus or slow-moving watch inventory from stores, dealers, and jewelers.
Meetup & Appraisal
How Selling to Us Works
From first message to payment, here is what to expect.
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1
Send us the details
Use the form below or email us a description of your watch and a few clear photos (dial, case, caseback). Brand, model, approximate age, and condition all help. For a collection, a list and a few photos is plenty.
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2
We reply within one business day
We will let you know whether we are interested, ask any follow-up questions, and set up a time to meet.
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3
Meet in the Chicago area
We arrange a time and a convenient meeting place near you. Bring the watch along with any box, papers, or service records you have.
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4
In-person appraisal
We look over the dial, case, and movement, check whether it runs, and review any papers. Then we walk you through our offer, which is based on current market data.
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5
Get paid
If you accept, you are paid the same day at the meetup. If not, there is no obligation and no pressure.
Good to Know
Selling a Watch in Chicago: FAQ
What watch brands do you buy in Chicago?
We buy Seiko, Citizen, Omega, Rolex, Timex, Orient, Rado, Mido, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. If your watch is a different brand, send it over anyway and we will take a look.
Do you buy watches that don't run?
Yes. Non-running watches are welcome, and so are watches that need service or have missing or damaged parts. Condition affects the offer, but it rarely rules a watch out.
What eras of watches do you buy?
All of them. We buy vintage and antique watches as well as modern and recent pieces, from the early 1900s to today.
How quickly do you pay?
If you accept our offer at the in-person appraisal, you are paid the same day, at the meetup.
Do I need the original box and papers?
No. Original boxes and papers can add value when you have them, but we buy watches without them.
Do you buy whole collections and estates?
Yes. We buy single watches, inherited collections, and estate lots. For a larger group of watches, send a list and a few photos first so we can plan the appraisal.
Can jewelers and retailers sell us their inventory?
Yes. We are happy to look at slow-moving or surplus watch inventory from jewelers, retailers, and dealers. Tell us what you have, including brands and approximate quantities.
Is there any obligation to sell?
No. Our offers are no-obligation. You can take the offer, trade toward a piece in our collection, or walk away.
I'm not in Chicago. Can I still sell to you?
Yes. We can work from your description and photos and arrange insured shipping, or you can meet us at one of our events.
Get an Offer
Tell Us About Your Watch
Include a short description and a few pictures if you can. We respond within one business day.
Prefer our general page? See Sell Your Watch or find us at an upcoming event.