Choosing a designer brand watch at outlet prices

Outlet: what it really means

The term outlet refers to pieces coming out of professional distribution channels: end-of-line runs, previous collections, overstock from European wholesalers, or watches used for display. They are neither counterfeits, nor refurbished watches, nor second-hand watches that have been worn.

An outlet watch can be:

• End of line: a model discontinued by the brand to make room for a new collection, the watch is new and has never been worn
• Overstock: unsold pieces from European wholesalers, new and boxed
• Display: a watch used for in-store display, in very good condition, with its original documents
• Customer return: a watch returned within the legal period, checked and resold at a discount

At Montres Outlet, we state the condition of every piece clearly (new, very good condition, good condition) in the product description.

New or second-hand: what is the practical difference?

Setting your budget

Designer brand watches at outlet prices cover a wide price range. Here is a benchmark by segment:

• Under 100 EUR: Timex, the classic Casio range, Lacoste, Guess, practical and stylish watches for everyday use with no fuss
• 100 to 200 EUR: Fossil, Calvin Klein, Armani Exchange, Tommy Hilfiger, Daniel Wellington, careful design, reliable quartz movement, ideal as a gift or a treat
• 200 to 400 EUR: Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Coach, assertive pieces with premium finishing, quality leathers and steels
• 400 to 700 EUR: high-end Citizen Eco-Drive, Seiko Presage / Prospex, premium Casio G-Shock, watches with genuine watchmaking substance (automatic, solar, GPS)
• Above 700 EUR: Seiko Astron, Citizen Satellite Wave, cutting-edge technology, collector pieces

Choosing by lifestyle

For everyday office and city wear

Favour watches with a legible dial, a leather or steel strap, and minimal water resistance (3 ATM is enough for splashes). The best choices:

• Emporio Armani, Italian elegance, leather straps or Milanese mesh bracelets, impeccable finishing
• Calvin Klein, New York minimalism, pared-back dials, designed in Biel, Switzerland
• Hugo Boss, rigorous German design, premium materials
• Fossil, retro-modern American style, excellent value for money

For sport and the outdoors

10 ATM water resistance minimum, mineral or sapphire crystal, a tough case. The essentials:

• Casio G-Shock, the absolute benchmark: shock resistant, up to 200 m water resistance, triple sensor (compass, altimeter, barometer) on some models
• Seiko Prospex, the Japanese giant's diving and outdoor collection, from 200 m to 600 m water resistance
• Citizen Promaster, Citizen's sports range with Eco-Drive solar technology, for divers and pilots

As a gift

Favour recognised brands, well-made boxes and timeless models:

• Michael Kors, glamorous dials, impeccable packaging, strong visual impact
• Daniel Wellington, Scandinavian minimalism, interchangeable straps, elegant presentation box
• Seiko 5 Sports, a Japanese automatic under 300 EUR, perfect as a first quality timepiece

For watch enthusiasts

If the movement matters as much as the design, look towards:

• Seiko Presage, automatics with urushi dials or Japanese-inspired designs, carefully assembled
• Citizen Eco-Drive, patented photovoltaic technology, virtually unlimited running time
• Seiko Astron, solar GPS, the watch that sets itself by satellite anywhere in the world

The checkpoints before you buy

Our team checks every piece against this protocol, and here is what you should look at too:

1. The crystal

Mineral (standard, scratches easily), sapphire (high end, virtually scratch-proof) or hesalite (plastic, vintage). On a new or very good condition outlet watch, the crystal must be flawless. The slightest deep scratch on the crystal points to undeclared heavy use.

2. The case and the lugs

Examine the edges of the lugs (where the strap meets the case): on a worn watch, that is the first area to round off. On an authentic new outlet watch, the edges stay sharp. The brushed and polished finishes must remain distinct.

3. The crown

Pull and push the crown: it must click firmly into each position (0, 1, 2 depending on the model). A crown that spins freely or winds with no resistance points to a mechanical problem. Also check that the markings (brand name, reference) are crisp and not worn away.

4. The dial

Under direct light, the dial must show no printing smudges, no visible dust under the crystal and no discolouration. The indices must sit straight and even. On models with applied indices, check that they are properly fixed, with no sideways play.

5. The case back

The case back usually carries the brand name, the reference, the water resistance and the serial number. Those engravings must be crisp. The serial number must match the one on the certificate of authenticity. On transparent case backs, the movement must be clean and free of condensation.

6. The strap

For metal bracelets: the links must slide with no cracking sound, and the clasps must click shut with firm resistance. For leather: no signs of wear (buckle marks, perspiration, distortion). For silicone: no cracking and no distortion.

7. The movement

For a quartz: the hands move in clean, regular one-second steps. A movement that jumps or trembles points to a flat battery or an electrical fault. For an automatic: wind it by hand and check that the ticking is regular, with no jerking.

The classic pitfalls to avoid

Discontinued references brought back to market

Some unscrupulous sellers put display watches back on sale described as "new". The clue: the warranty card is already dated several years back. We clearly distinguish "new, never worn" from "display" or "condition A".

Missing documents

A designer brand watch with no certificate of authenticity and no original box is either stolen or of dubious provenance. We only accept pieces with complete documents.

A price too low to be true

An Emporio Armani watch sold at 30 EUR or a Seiko Prospex at 50 EUR: that is impossible for authentic pieces. Serious outlet discounts run from 20 to 50% below boutique price, not 80 or 90%.

"Inspired by" replicas

Some sellers offer watches "in the style of" major brands without saying so clearly. Always check that the brand name appears on the dial, the crown and the case back, and that it is spelled correctly (yes, that happens).

Size and comfort: finding the right diameter

Case diameter has a direct effect on comfort and style:

• 28 to 34 mm: watches for slim wrists, discreet classic style, very popular with women
• 36 to 40 mm: the universal standard, suits the vast majority of wrists
• 42 to 44 mm: an assertive, visible case, contemporary style, the dominant trend for men
• 46 mm and above: oversize watches, a strong style statement, Michael Kors, G-Shock, Diesel

A simple rule: the watch must not overhang the wrist bones on either side. If it does, the diameter is too large for your build.

Understanding water resistance

Water resistance is expressed in ATM (atmospheres) or in metres. What that means in practice:

• 3 ATM / 30 m: resistant to splashes and rain, not for the shower or swimming
• 5 ATM / 50 m: surface swimming possible, not diving
• 10 ATM / 100 m: swimming and snorkelling, not scuba diving
• 20 ATM / 200 m: recreational diving possible
• 200 m and above (ISO 6425): certified diving watch, Seiko Prospex, Casio G-Shock Frogman

Careful: water resistance degrades over time (gaskets age). A ten-year-old "10 ATM" watch that has not been tested may be less water resistant than stated.

Quartz or automatic movement: which to choose?

For a first designer brand watch or a gift, quartz is the sensible choice. For enthusiasts who love the world of watchmaking, a Seiko or Citizen automatic opens up a whole extra layer of pleasure.

Our warranty and your protection

Every watch sold on montres-outlet.com comes with:

• A 2-year commercial warranty covering movement manufacturing defects under normal use (details of the exclusions)
• A 14 days right of withdrawal (EU customers), return with no reason required, return shipping at the customer's expense
• A certificate of authenticity on every piece for which the brand supplies one
• Secure delivery with transport insurance included

See our Warranty and Returns pages for full details.

Questions our customers ask

Can I have my watch serviced by an independent watchmaker?

Yes. For fashion brands (Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, Fossil and so on) an independent watchmaker can change the battery, adjust the bracelet or clean the case with no impact on the brand warranty. For watches with Japanese movements (Seiko, Citizen), watchmakers specialising in Japanese after-sales service are recommended for full overhauls.

Do outlet watches still have their brand warranty?

Outlet watches from end-of-line runs or overstock may have a brand warranty that is partly or entirely expired, which is normal and is always stated in our descriptions. Our 24-month commercial warranty takes over on the movement (manufacturing defects under normal use), with a simple claims procedure.

How do I look after my leather strap?

Keep water away from leather (rain included), it is its main enemy. Let it dry in the open air if it gets wet, never near a heat source. Light care with a wax product made for leather every six months significantly extends its life. Change the strap as soon as the leather is discoloured or cracked, it is a simple, inexpensive job.

Can I change my watch strap?

On most watches, yes. Interchangeable straps (push-button system or standard spring bars) make it easy to switch style. Check your watch's lug width (in millimetres, between 12 and 26 mm) to find a compatible strap. Daniel Wellington and some Fossil models are particularly well designed for interchangeability.

Essential watchmaking glossary

• ATM: atmosphere, the pressure unit used for water resistance
• Lug width: the width in mm between the two lugs of the case, which determines the strap width
• Calibre: the name given to a watch movement (mechanism)
• Complications: any function other than the time (date, chronograph, alarm and so on)
• Transparent case back: a case back in crystal that lets you see the movement
• Indices: the hour markers on the dial (numerals or batons)
• Bezel: the ring around the crystal, often graduated on sports watches
• Winder: the crown or button used to wind or set the watch
• Super-LumiNova: the luminescent material on indices and hands for legibility in the dark