Pre-Owned Watches Buyer

We are now recruiting for a brand new role, seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Pre-Owned Watches Buyer to join our elite Fine Watches & Jewellery Buying team, focusing on the iconic Rolex brand. This role is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced watch buyer with a deep understanding of pre-owned and vintage watches.

About the Role

As the Pre-Owned Watches Buyer, you will be responsible for curating a premium collection of high-quality, pre-owned watches that align with Harrods' reputation for excellence. You will engage with auction houses, dealers, and private sellers, while building relationships with collectors and clients. Your goal will be to drive sales and profitability through strategic appraising, purchasing, authentication, and management of our high-end inventory.

In this role you will be responsible for:

• Sourcing and Acquisition - Attending auctions, collaborating with dealers, and negotiating with private sellers to secure exclusive, high-demand pre-owned watches.
• Quality & Authenticity - Working closely with in-house watchmakers to evaluate and authenticate watches, ensuring every acquisition meets our rigorous quality standards.
• Market Insight - Conducting market research to identify emerging trends and desired models, tailoring purchasing strategies accordingly.
• Vendor & Client Relations - Building and maintaining strong relationships with dealers, auction houses, and clients, leveraging these networks to stay ahead of market trends.
• Sales Strategy - Partnering with the Retail, Merchandising, and Marketing teams to align buying decisions with Harrod' sales strategy, customer demand, and visual merchandising.
• Customer Engagement - Acting as a brand ambassador, assisting clients with appraisals, providing buy-back options, and supporting the sales team in delivering a premium customer experience.

About You

With proven expertise in luxury watch buying, especially within the niche of pre-owned and vintage models, you bring a wealth of knowledge to this role. Your analytical skills enable you to expertly assess market trends, pricing strategies, and the rarity and condition of high-value timepieces, ensuring every buying decision is informed and profitable. Additionally, your interpersonal skills set you apart; you excel in negotiation and have a talent for building strong, long-lasting relationships with both clients and vendors, which is essential for securing exclusive opportunities and maintaining a competitive edge in the luxury market.

You will also be:

• Customer-Centric - Committed to delivering exceptional customer experiences and supporting Harrods’ brand values.
• Highly organized - Strong time management, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment are just a few of your strengths.
• Able to frequently travel for buying appointments, client meetings, and trade fairs.
• Collaborative in working together with Harrods in-house watchmakers to evaluate and authenticate the quality, condition, and provenance of watches to ensure compliance with Harrods’ standards.

About Us

Harrods is one of the world’s leading luxury department stores and we’re becoming a destination for top designers, and the most sought-after brands from around the globe. Our combined mission is to make visiting our iconic Knightsbridge store one of the world’s most inspiring shopping experiences.

Our Promise to You

Help us make the impossible possible for our customers and we’ll do something remarkable for you. As well as offering a friendly environment to inspire your best work, we provide abundant opportunities and support to build an exceptional career across the varied specialisms of our business. 

Uniquely You

Whilst our job adverts outline the ideal qualities, skills, and prior experience for the role, we believe in the potential for growth and value individual strengths. If you can demonstrate the majority of skills and strong experience to thrive in this role, we would encourage you to apply. 

At Harrods we believe the personality and authenticity of our people sets us apart. We celebrate and invite applications from all cultures, backgrounds, tastes, and experiences and are proud of our culture where people from all walks of life can grow and thrive. What makes you unique makes us exceptional.

If you want to know more about our people and our culture, search #TogetherHarrods on LinkedIn, Facebook or follow us on Instagram @togetherharrods