A pre owned replica Audemars Piguet is a copy watch that is being resold after at least one previous owner. It is not made, sold, or serviced by Audemars Piguet, it carries no brand warranty, and its value depends on condition and seller history rather than the model name alone. Because the replica Audemars Piguet pre owned market is informal, buyers need to check the watch and the seller before paying.
Pre owned replica vs genuine pre owned Audemars Piguet
Both appear in the same search results, but they are different objects with different rules.
- Maker: Genuine watches come from Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus. Replicas come from third party factories with no link to the brand.
- Price: A used genuine Royal Oak trades in the thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. A used replica sells for a small fraction of that, and prices swing widely based on quality tier and condition.
- Value retention: Some genuine AP references hold or gain value over years. Replicas generally lose value because newer, more accurate copies keep appearing.
- Servicing: The manufacturer services and authenticates only its own products. A replica must go to an independent watchmaker for cleaning, regulation, or gasket replacement.
- Documentation: Genuine examples usually come with papers, warranty cards, and service records. Replicas rarely do, and any paperwork with a replica is decorative, not proof.
Why buyers look for a used replica instead of a new one
- Price is lower than a fresh replica of the same tier.
- The specific version may be discontinued, so a used piece is the only way to get it.
- Someone else already dealt with the break in period, strap stretch, or initial quality issues.
- Photos of a worn example can show how the finish ages, which new stock listings cannot.
Condition grades in the replica secondary market
Sellers borrow language from the watch trade, and the terms are not standardized. Ask for a definition in writing.
- New or unworn: Never worn, sometimes with stickers still on. Confirm the plastic was not re applied.
- Mint or like new: Worn a few times, no visible marks, bracelet not stretched.
- Excellent: Light hairlines on the case and clasp, crystal intact, everything functioning.
- Good: Visible scratches, possible plating wear on gold tone models, still wearable.
- As is or project: Movement faults, stripped screws, cracked crystal, or water damage. Assume a repair bill.
What to inspect before you pay
- Movement: Ask whether it is automatic or quartz, whether it hacks, and how it keeps time over several days. Rotor noise and wobble are common complaints on cheaper copies.
- Case and bezel: On Royal Oak style cases, check the octagonal bezel screws, the brushing direction, and the polish on the chamfers. Plating that has worn to base metal cannot be fixed cheaply.
- Dial and hands: Look for misaligned markers, unevend lume color, crooked date printing, and hands that do not line up at 12.
- Bracelet or strap: Stretch, bent links, and a loose clasp are the usual used issues. Ask whether extra links are included.
- Water resistance: Never assume it exists on a used replica. Aged gaskets fail, and there is no published rating to rely on.
- Crystal: Scratches, chipped edges, and worn anti reflective coating are visible in angled photos.
- Evidence: Request current photos and a short video with the watch running, including a view of the caseback and crown.
Legal and practical risks
Replica watches are counterfeit goods that infringe registered trademarks, and border agencies in many countries seize counterfeit shipments. Importing one can mean the watch is confiscated with no refund. Presenting a replica as genuine, whether to a buyer, an insurer, or a pawn shop, is fraud.
There is also the resale problem. A used replica has a thin buyer pool, so it is hard to move quickly, and the price you get back is usually well below what you paid. Treat the money as spent, not invested.
How to spot a used replica sold as genuine
- Serial numbers and caseback engraving look stamped or shallow rather than crisp and deep.
- The weight feels light for a steel sport watch, or heavy in an odd way on gold tone pieces.
- Movement finishing is plain, with no perlage, geneva stripes, or signed rotor.
- The seller avoids factory service records, original box, or a written authenticity guarantee.
- The asking price is far under the going rate for that reference on established dealer listings.
If a listing claims to be genuine Audemars Piguet, the only dependable check is authentication through the manufacturer's own service network.
Questions to ask a seller
- When and where did you buy it, and do you have the original listing?
- Has it been opened, repaired, or serviced, and by whom?
- What is the exact movement, and how fast or slow does it run per day?
- Are there any scratches, plating wear, or stripped screws I cannot see in the photos?
- Do you accept returns, and who pays return shipping?
Quick answers
Do used replicas hold value?
Rarely. Most lose value as better copies appear, so buy only if you want to wear the watch.
Can a replica Audemars Piguet be serviced?
Yes, by an independent watchmaker. The brand will not touch it.
Is buying a used replica legal?
Rules differ by country and by whether the sale involves trade or personal use. Check your local customs and consumer law before ordering.