Chrono24 Long-Term Watch Market Analysis: Models Steadily Increasing in Value Despite High Volatility Since 2018 Now Revealed
Chrono24's latest analysis reveals 16 watch models that have consistently gained value since 2018, overcoming the pandemic speculative boom. Surprisingly, Cartier tops the list with a 299% increase, while Rolex did not make the top 20.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 19:13 (128h 42m after Collected)
The world's largest online marketplace for luxury watches, Chrono24 (Headquarters: Karlsruhe, Germany), analyzed the price trends of thousands of models over two periods: the past 8 years (2018-2026) and the past 4 years (2022-2026) as of March 31, 2026. By capturing the price fluctuations driven by speculative purposes during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent price corrections, they extracted models that not only increased in price over the long term but also continued to appreciate in market value over the past 4 years. This revealed the models that have steadily increased in value despite highly volatile conditions since 2018.
Overview
The analysis revealed 16 models whose prices have more than doubled since 2018 and have continued to rise even after the end of the luxury watch boom (in 2022) - with the result that Rolex is not included among them.
Ranked first is the Cartier Tank Vermeil with a +299% increase rate.
The models that ranked high in price increases were not those in the upper price ranges, but rather models that could be purchased for around 200,000 to 800,000 yen back in 2018.
The overall market is also showing a significant recovery trend again. ChronoPulse, a tool on Chrono24 that represents a watch price index, confirmed that watch price increases have accelerated over the past 6 months.
1. Top Performer is the Classic Cartier Tank Vermeil
Surprisingly, ranking at the top for value increase rate were relatively affordable models that could be purchased for around 200,000 to 800,000 yen in 2018.
The number one spot goes to the Cartier Tank Vermeil (Ref. 1613), which was available for in the 100,000 yen range at the time, with an increase rate of 299%. This is followed by the two-tone Cartier Panthère (Ref. 1057917) recording a 208% increase, and the yellow gold Panthère (Ref. 1070) recording a 218% increase. Furthermore, Omega also saw significant price increases in several models. The Speedmaster (Ref. 3310.10) showed a 119% increase, and the Seamaster Aqua Terra (Ref. 2517.30) resulted in an 83% increase.
The brands dominating the top 20 were Cartier, Omega, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, with 10, 5, and 2 models ranking respectively. Rolex, which boasts unwavering popularity, did not have a single watch included.
2. Price Trends of Rolex
Rolex remains the most known and most traded brand in the secondary market. However, in terms of continuous price appreciation, its growth rates have not reached those of the aforementioned brands. The Datejust 41 (Ref. 126334), the best-selling Rolex on Chrono24, recorded a 59% increase since 2018. While steady, it falls far behind Cartier and Omega, which showed triple-digit growth rates.
The reason for this is that Rolex was already highly valued back in 2018.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, speculative demand caused further price increases; however, when the boom ended in 2022, prices either stabilized at high levels or fell slightly, and never saw a triple-digit price increase rate.
3. Market Stress Test Brought by the Pandemic Luxury Watch Boom
The analysis positions the luxury watch boom that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic as a stress test to evaluate the market's health. From 2020 to 2022, prices for many popular models skyrocketed. The background to this was rising speculative demand treating watches as short-term financial instruments, rather than from collectors.
In the price corrections that occurred in the market following this luxury watch boom, particularly popular models were heavily impacted. The Patek Philippe Nautilus (Ref. 5712/1A) saw its price drop by 45% compared to its peak in 2022, but it is still trading at nearly three times its 2018 price. For the Vacheron Constantin Overseas (Ref. 4500V), the price dropped to less than half of its peak. Additionally, the Hublot Big Bang (Ref. 301.SB.131.RX) did not benefit from the boom and has recorded a further 20% decline since 2022.
On the other hand, the 16 models that more than doubled in price through the pandemic and the subsequent adjustment period share a commonality. That is, their value increase is not due to speculation, but to sustainably expanding demand. Therefore, even when price corrections occurred.
Overview
The analysis revealed 16 models whose prices have more than doubled since 2018 and have continued to rise even after the end of the luxury watch boom (in 2022) - with the result that Rolex is not included among them.
Ranked first is the Cartier Tank Vermeil with a +299% increase rate.
The models that ranked high in price increases were not those in the upper price ranges, but rather models that could be purchased for around 200,000 to 800,000 yen back in 2018.
The overall market is also showing a significant recovery trend again. ChronoPulse, a tool on Chrono24 that represents a watch price index, confirmed that watch price increases have accelerated over the past 6 months.
1. Top Performer is the Classic Cartier Tank Vermeil
Surprisingly, ranking at the top for value increase rate were relatively affordable models that could be purchased for around 200,000 to 800,000 yen in 2018.
The number one spot goes to the Cartier Tank Vermeil (Ref. 1613), which was available for in the 100,000 yen range at the time, with an increase rate of 299%. This is followed by the two-tone Cartier Panthère (Ref. 1057917) recording a 208% increase, and the yellow gold Panthère (Ref. 1070) recording a 218% increase. Furthermore, Omega also saw significant price increases in several models. The Speedmaster (Ref. 3310.10) showed a 119% increase, and the Seamaster Aqua Terra (Ref. 2517.30) resulted in an 83% increase.
The brands dominating the top 20 were Cartier, Omega, and Jaeger-LeCoultre, with 10, 5, and 2 models ranking respectively. Rolex, which boasts unwavering popularity, did not have a single watch included.
2. Price Trends of Rolex
Rolex remains the most known and most traded brand in the secondary market. However, in terms of continuous price appreciation, its growth rates have not reached those of the aforementioned brands. The Datejust 41 (Ref. 126334), the best-selling Rolex on Chrono24, recorded a 59% increase since 2018. While steady, it falls far behind Cartier and Omega, which showed triple-digit growth rates.
The reason for this is that Rolex was already highly valued back in 2018.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, speculative demand caused further price increases; however, when the boom ended in 2022, prices either stabilized at high levels or fell slightly, and never saw a triple-digit price increase rate.
3. Market Stress Test Brought by the Pandemic Luxury Watch Boom
The analysis positions the luxury watch boom that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic as a stress test to evaluate the market's health. From 2020 to 2022, prices for many popular models skyrocketed. The background to this was rising speculative demand treating watches as short-term financial instruments, rather than from collectors.
In the price corrections that occurred in the market following this luxury watch boom, particularly popular models were heavily impacted. The Patek Philippe Nautilus (Ref. 5712/1A) saw its price drop by 45% compared to its peak in 2022, but it is still trading at nearly three times its 2018 price. For the Vacheron Constantin Overseas (Ref. 4500V), the price dropped to less than half of its peak. Additionally, the Hublot Big Bang (Ref. 301.SB.131.RX) did not benefit from the boom and has recorded a further 20% decline since 2022.
On the other hand, the 16 models that more than doubled in price through the pandemic and the subsequent adjustment period share a commonality. That is, their value increase is not due to speculation, but to sustainably expanding demand. Therefore, even when price corrections occurred.