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In this monthly series with Hypetime, Chrono24 will be providing background on some of the most coveted luxury watches in the pre-owned market based on real-time findings from its global marketplace.
Every month, five models will be spotlighted by Chrono24’s in-house experts. The selection is based on monthly analytics, with each piece meeting all four criteria: 1) The watch must receive a critical mass of supply as well as demand, 2) There must be a significant percentage increase in inquiries and offers compared to the previous month as the reference period, 3) The search queries for the watch model must exceed a critical threshold defined from the data set, 4) The available listings per model must exceed a critical threshold defined from the data set.
Read on for the most hyped watches on Chrono24 in March.
Cartier Santos Dumont WSSA0022
The Cartier hype has been thoroughly electric as of late and continues to build with the current popularity of one of the best-looking entry-level watches on the market. In some circles, the Cartier Santos Dumont WSSA0022 has been a bit of an underdog within the larger Santos family, refreshed by the luxury house in 2019. Though maybe overlooked by the mechanical-only crowd, the no-fuss Quartz movement contributes to the accessibility and value in price.
Since this time last year, Chrono24 has seen requests for this timepiece triple, and almost quadruple. Maybe because this watch is a terrific example of Cartier’s signature aesthetic — elegant without being overly pretentious, and certainly unisex. Its square case sits flush on the wrist, and the croc strap walks the line between everyday wear and a reliable dress watch.
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11
The OMEGA Speedmaster continues to dominate – and is the top seller of watches above $10,000 USD on Chrono24 that is not a Rolex. Specifically, the OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Apollo 11 is an extra-coveted limited-edition piece that was designed to commemorate the 1969 moon landing with an aptly deployed run of 6,969 timepieces. The engraved gold markings atop the grey dial feel special, and the etched illustration of Buzz Aldrin on the dial seconds before setting foot on the moon is doubly echoed by an engraving of the instantly recognizable photo of his lunar footprint — and in the watch world, the moment the Moonwatch earned its moniker.
Demand for this Speedy has peaked in the last month, perhaps bolstered by another one of the watch community’s favorite topics – the MoonSwatch OMEGA x Swatch collab. With the inevitable scramble to get one’s hands on the white or black Mission to the Moonphase New Moon that for the first time features the beloved cartoon and comic character, Snoopy (whose affiliation with NASA and OMEGA has transcended over 50 years), the craze for OMEGA’s Moonwatch continues to dominate public fascination.
Grand Seiko Elegance Collection SBGY007
Debuted only in 2021, the Grand Seiko SBGY007 Elegance Collection “Omiwatari” has seen generally steady, increasing demand for more than a year at Chrono24. With a striking, sharp dial inspired by the icy waters of Lake Suwa in Grand Seiko’s native Japan, or more specifically the icy bridge (the “Omiwatari”) that forms to connect both sides of the lake and allows for the Gods to walk over the water. The Grand Seiko community runs deep, and a lot of adoration has befallen this icy blue-hued dress watch. The dial is perfectly clean without so much as a date feature, with multi-faceted hands and indexes that are razor sharp, and an exceptional illustration of the exacting precision the brand is widely celebrated for.
Tudor Black Bay Chrono 79360N-0002
Another watch falling in the 50-year commemoration category is the Tudor Black Bay Chrono 79360N-0002, which celebrates the Rolex sister brand’s entry into chronograph legacy. This timepiece has a recognizably vintage (shall we say Daytona-esque?) throwback feel but isn’t short on the utmost modern tech functions – or size, for that matter. At 41mm, the Black Bay Chrono 79360N-0002 has some updated heft. It’s offered with a bold panda or reversed panda dial that contrasts the stainless-steel case. For the past four months, hype and demand have moved steadily upward, surpassing previously high marks in January 2023.
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 WAR201E.BA0723
The TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 5 Day-Date WAR201E.BA0723 is a solid, bold offering from the brand that decidedly steps away from its signature sportiness and into the dress watch category. Over the past year alone, Chrono24 has seen demand increase by 4.5 times. Despite its 41mm size, its dial is sleek and shows both the day of the week and the date at the 3 o’clock position. While offered in several varieties including chic black and with rose gold hands and indexes, this particular reference showcases a blue dial with stainless steel accents — and notably a transparent case back that adds to its notably elevated feel.