Before W&W 2026: our April pre-owned watch shortlist
Our historical pre-fair shortlist, with sold AP and Vacheron examples identified and the expired buying window clearly marked.
April 2026 preview, corrected: The pre-fair buying window has passed. This page preserves our shortlist, with unsupported return forecasts removed and Blancpain's non-exhibitor status clarified. The AP 26331ST and Vacheron 49150 examples have sold; see current inventory for availability.
Before Watches and Wonders opened on 14 April, these were the watches we wanted to compare with the coming releases. Travel functions, chronograph layouts, case size and comfort were our main points of interest. A fair can introduce another option to consider; the right purchase still depends on the individual watch.
Five watches on our April shortlist
Rolex GMT-Master II Batman (ref. 126710BLNR)
The blue-and-black GMT-Master II combines a familiar sports-watch design with a second time-zone display. For a pre-owned 126710BLNR, compare the bracelet, condition, service information and included accessories on each listing.
Our pre-fair question was how any new Rolex travel watch would compare with this established design. That is a reason to compare the watches, rather than hurry a purchase.
Original asking-price range quoted in April: roughly 17,000–19,000 USD depending on condition and year.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph (ref. 26331ST)
The 41mm Royal Oak Chrono in steel is the sweet spot of the AP lineup. It's wearable, it's recognizable, and the blue dial version has become one of the most sought-after steel sports chronographs on the secondary market.
AP's return to Watches and Wonders put the Royal Oak family on our comparison list. With a chronograph, look closely at the dial layout and how the bracelet fits; similar names can cover quite different watches.
The steel Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST featured here has sold and remains as an archive example.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph
The Overseas Chronograph doesn't get the hype of the Royal Oak or Nautilus, and that's partly why it's interesting right now. It's a legitimate high-end sports chronograph from one of the three great maisons, yet it trades at a discount to its Patek and AP equivalents.
The steel ref. 49150/B01A-9097 was our comparison example. Compare the exact reference and generation when looking at Overseas chronographs; a collection name alone does not establish shared specifications or value.
The steel Overseas Chronograph 49150 featured here has sold. Browse current Vacheron Constantin inventory for available examples.
Tudor Black Bay Pro 39mm (ref. M79470)
Tudor has been on a tear lately, and the Black Bay Pro is one of their most versatile releases. A 39mm GMT with fixed bezel, it works as a daily driver, a travel watch, and a weekender all at once.
Our interest was its compact case and straightforward travel-watch layout. Compare thickness and wrist fit alongside the diameter, and check the condition of the bracelet and clasp on the particular example.
The Black Bay Pro 39mm M79470 was another example in our original shortlist. Check its listing for availability.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique (ref. 5015-12B40-98B)
The Fifty Fathoms Automatique offers a different direction from the travel watches and chronographs above. Our selection was the 45mm blue-dial ref. 5015-12B40-98B, a watch whose size makes wrist fit an important part of the decision.
Blancpain was not on the official W&W 2026 exhibitor list. We included the Fifty Fathoms as a broader dive-watch comparison.
The Fifty Fathoms Automatique 45mm blue was an original example. Browse current Blancpain inventory for available watches.
Three collections we wanted to compare after the fair
Rolex Sky-Dweller
For buyers interested in a complicated Rolex, the Sky-Dweller offered a different set of functions from the GMT-Master II. Our April preference was to see the new announcements before choosing a reference.
IWC Pilot's Watch
Our watchlist also included IWC's Pilot's Watch family. Compare the simple time-and-date models with the chronographs according to what you will use, and try the case size that suits your wrist.
Zenith Defy
The Defy collection offered a more contemporary design direction. Compare exact references, materials and dial layouts instead of treating the entire family as one purchase.
Using the shortlist today
Start with the functions and design you want, then compare current examples for condition, service information, accessories and price. Allow for shipping and any future maintenance in your budget. A new launch alone is not a reason to pay more for an older reference.
See our current inventory and the April retrospective.
Which examples in this guide have sold?
The featured Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST and Overseas Chronograph 49150 have sold. Their archive pages remain useful reference points; current listings show availability.
How should I choose between these watches?
Begin with wrist fit and the functions you use most. Compare individual watches with similar condition and accessories, and ask about service information before deciding.
