Vintage Vibes, Verified

A decade ago, if you mentioned you were “going CPO”, your friends might have assumed you were considering a manufacturer-restored used car. Today, however, “CPO” or “Certified Pre-Owned” has become a well-established term in the watchmaking world, representing an appealing option for luxury timepiece acquisitions. CPO EXPLAINED “Certified Pre-Owned” refers to a watch that has been authenticated by the brand itself or its authorised CPO programme partners. While procedures vary by brand, CPO generally involves a thorough inspection to verify authenticity, complete servicing of the movement, and restoration of the watch’s dial, case, crystal and strap. These watches typically come with a new international warranty. Recently, Rolex attracted attention with the launch of its Certified Pre-Owned programme, collaborating with retail giants such as Watches of Switzerland, The 1916 Company and…