It hinges on whether "pre-owned," or "previously owned" equates ownership with "use."
I would consider it so.
Even if you've never taken it out of the shipping box, it's used meaning at the very least, it was the property of an individual after its manufacture. As to what gradation might apply in that case, BNIB-never worn, never sized works for me. All else would just be used with statements about the degree of visible wear.

 

C&C is making up definitions to try to make it sound like the used watches they sell aren't "used", or are somehow in some category above "used", so as to justify higher pricing.

If somebody has worn the watch and used it to track the time, it's used. It's also pre-owned. A used watch that has been authenticated, serviced, and cleaned is still used. The only time a watch could be pre-owned but not used is if someone bought it from the AD but never unwrapped it or wore it (e.g. "new" grey market watches).

 

This.

if worn even just once for photos, it’s used.

 

The key features of the pre-owned moniker in the watch industry seem to align with those used in the automobile industry. Mainly, an authenticity / OEM parts check, completing a quality assurance checklist where proper operation and papers are verified, and a factory or seller's warranty.

Used can include those features too at the seller's discretion, but it is more common that they do not.

 

In the auto industry, there is no difference between used and pre-owned. Certified pre-owned is distinct from used/pre-owned, since it comes with a manufacturer-backed warranty. It seems that C&C may be trying to create some marketing fluff definitions.

 

Also, pre-own could be previously owned and registered such as a collectable, for example, that has not been worn / used.

 

I bought my Sub (124060) from a gray this past July. It came with box, all papers/green tag, peel off bezel sticker intact, and warranty card dated March. Since it didn’t come from an AD I guess you could say it was used but if you put next to a “new” one I doubt you’d be able to tell the difference.

 

Well the new one has the whole warranty and yours didn’t. Likely doesn’t matter, but it is a tangible difference.

 

It's all the same to me. It's either new or its not.

 

Pre-owned and used are synonymous to me. It means someone else has taken ownership of the watch.

It makes no sense to try to distinguish between two terms that have been historically seen as equivalent when a single extra word (“unworn”, “LNIB”, Mint, or “95%”, etc) will do.

 

Marketeering wank. Originally aimed at the upmarket. Where status matters. Now that the entire world is all about that, it's going to end up actually meaning something. Stupid.

 

Just a euphemism to make something sound fancier than it really is.

I'm not unemployed, I'm "between jobs".

 

"Pre-owned" is a marketing euphemism. Same as used.

 

Pre-owned just means someone bought it.
Used means it's been worn.
There is a difference.

 

... pre-owned really would better be described as unworn. There can be a huge difference between unworn and used..
..
Unworn, however, means it's in perfect mint condition, not not technically new.

By the literal definitions of “used” and “owned”, they are not the same. You could own a watch and never wear it or even take the stickers off of it for example. This watch is “pre-owned” but not used, obviously.

Of all the responses, you three gents made a point about distinction between pre-owned and used.

In my opening post, I viewed them as the same as both are pre-owned, i.e. owned by someone else. Never crossed my mind that we could differentiate pre-owned as someone having ownership over the goods but not used it, hence, can't call it as "used". Whereas used is what it means. Some food for thought....

 

The reason I say yes is when I am looking at jewelers and watch companies, pre owned (to me) means it was cleaned, polished, serviced prior to sale.
I would leave used to private sale.

 

Pre-owned and Used are both second-hand.

 

Exactly. If something has changed hands from a dealer to a consumer, it’s used/pre-owned. Sure….if something was a safe queen and never worn, it will likely pull a premium, but it‘s still a used/pre-owned watch.

 

Pre-owned: used for high-end watches like Rolex, PP, AP...

Used: for watches that have only 51% Swiss made or not made in Switzerland.

 

Marketing.

 

More marketing BS.

 

Preowned is a euphemism, 'cause used and second hand sound cheap, like from Goodwill. The Crown and Caliber article made me . They invented the distinction to make themselves look better. They sell watches that someone else used, so they're used watch dealers. Own it.

 

Perhaps now with people safe queening watches as investments a watch can be preowned but not used, but once the plastics off it’s used by my approximation.

 

I noticed this a long time back as it related to use cars. Some genius decided that 'pre-owned' sounded so much better than 'used' and off it went. Bottom line, no matter how much you want to slice it 'pre-owned' just means used. You can claim it means LNIB or some other nonsense but 'pre-owned' is a used car expression for 'used' and it's no different with watches.

To some people calling a watch 'pre-owned' apparently has greater mojo than calling it 'used'. If a person insists on calling the watch (or really, anything) pre-owned I am not going to buy from them just on principle. Pre-owned does not make something less 'used'. I bet the same people calling their watch 'pre-owned' are the same ones selling their watches for $999.99 because they really think that people are going to see it and go, 'oh, less than $1000, I must buy it.'

 

What those words mean to me doesn't make much difference if I'm buying. I can only guarantee their meaning if I'm the seller. If you are buying, they have the same meaning as "mint condition", "great condition" etc. Everyone seems to have their own interpretation. Your mint might be my heavily used.

To me preowned means it's been owned but not necessarily used. Used means it's been owned, bracelet sized and worn. New means never owned or used.

Preowned or used, I need to either see the watch in person or see a lot of good, close up photos. The old line, "trust but verify" comes into play with either of those words.

 

The terms "pre-owned" and "used" are synonymous when describing watches that are sold and bought on the secondary market.

 

Pre-Owned vs Used. Is there any difference to you? Does it mean the same thing? To me, a pre-owned watch is used and a used watch is pre-owned, i.e. somebody else owned it previously. Call it what you will, it isn't new. Throw into the mix, a term I have come across previously, "Pre-loved".

Do you think there is a difference? Well, Crown and Caliber thinks there is. Like to hear what are your thoughts on this? Voting buttons on top.

Benefits Of Buying Pre-Owned VS. Used - Crown & Caliber Blog (crownandcaliber.com)

I believe what you're referring to as pre-owned really would better be described as unworn. There can be a huge difference between unworn and used. Pre-owned to me means exactly the same thing as used.

Unworn, however, means it's in perfect mint condition, not not technically new. For example, every Rolex grey market dealer watch isn't new, it's unworn, as your not buying from the AD and you're the second owner.

 

The only caveat is LNIB. I’ve never even considered the others to be different other than a term for car dealerships when “certified used” would sound bad.

 

By the literal definitions of “used” and “owned”, they are not the same. You could own a watch and never wear it or even take the stickers off of it for example. This watch is “pre-owned” but not used, obviously.

In practice if C&C was selling a BNIB watch with stickers still on, they would be sellingit as a new watch so in practice pre owned and used actually mean the same thing.

Also side note crown & caliber’s pricing is not even remotely competitive and I would look elsewhere for a used watch. When I was looking to buy a bb36 they had one listed for $2900 with no papers when the retail is $2950 and Jomashop has them for $2450.

 

There is also "certified pre-owned" which means that the seller will certify that the item is not new. I don't care what they call it, I care about the cooties the watch may have.