Luxury Watch Pod Shakes, Rolex and Patek Philippe Win as Crypto Plummets

Over the past six months, the market has experienced a dramatic shift reflecting changes in global investment preferences. While bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies continue to slide, the secondary market index for luxury watch pods has actually recorded an increase of about 4%, according to the latest data from WatchCharts. This phenomenon is not just a number—it’s indicative of a fundamental shift in how global investors view valuable assets.

Stabilization of Watch Pods After Two Years of Decline

In a collaborative report with WatchCharts, Morgan Stanley revealed that the rising prices in luxury watch pods reflect a stabilization phase after a prolonged period of downward pressure. By the end of 2025, selling pressure began to ease due to three key factors: reduced inventory excess that had disrupted the market, the end of forced sales driven by liquidity issues, and sellers becoming increasingly reluctant to lower prices further.

Conversely, the crypto market has faced a much more turbulent journey. Bitcoin dropped about 25% over the same six-month period, while the CoinDesk 20 index—tracking the top 20 coins—slipped more than 30%. This contrast becomes even sharper when looking at bitcoin’s position on January 29, 2026, moving around $88.25K with a 1.05% decrease in the last 24 hours.

Why Investors Are Shifting from Crypto to Watch Pods and Physical Assets

This performance divergence goes beyond mere market movements—it represents a fundamental change in asset allocation strategies. Previously, during the pandemic era, luxury watches and crypto moved in tandem, driven by cheap money environments and excessive speculation. However, in 2024, that correlation broke for the first time, with luxury watches beginning to decline while bitcoin soared on anticipation of spot ETF approval.

But the recovery since then tells a different story. Investors are increasingly distinguishing between fast-moving, speculative financial assets and more stable physical store-of-value assets. Luxury watch pods, along with gold and silver, are increasingly viewed as hedges against macroeconomic uncertainty—not as speculative bets that can be exchanged for crypto assets.

Commodity data validates this shift dramatically. Gold surged nearly 70% since early 2025, reaching all-time highs, while silver experienced a giant leap of over 150%. These movements are driven by limited physical supply, ongoing industrial demand, and policy uncertainties that increase volatility. Meanwhile, ether fell 1.86%, Solana dropped 2.92%, and dogecoin declined 2.80% in the last 24 hours.

Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet Dominate the Luxury Watch Pods

The recovery of luxury watch pods is not evenly distributed—it is highly concentrated among brands with real pricing power. Rolex leads, supported by its certified pre-owned program, which has become a significant market stabilizer. Rolex’s strategy of controlling secondary channels has reduced price volatility and refreshed consumer confidence in long-term value.

Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet also show similar resilience, with demand continuing to flow into rare and limited edition references. In contrast, most other brands in the watch pod continue to trade at substantial discounts, reflecting a growing divide between tier-1 brands and competitors.

Latest Data: Watch Pods Rise While Crypto Plummets

The WatchCharts index, tracking thousands of luxury watch references from major brands, shows a sustained positive trend. Over the past six months, high-end watch pods have experienced consistent appreciation, rivaling or surpassing the performance of many traditional investment instruments.

Meanwhile, luxury watch manufacturers have increased global retail prices by about 7% since early 2025, a move that helps stabilize resale values despite still-low transaction volumes. This sharply contrasts with crypto dynamics, where bitcoin struggles to break through key resistance near $89,000, trading more like a high-risk asset than a macro hedge.

Shift in Investment Preferences and Its Implications

This divergence indicates an evolution in global investor behavior. Luxury watch pods are no longer seen as frivolous luxury or speculative bets but as stores of value and portfolio diversification. The Federal Reserve maintains steady interest rates, creating an environment where sustainable and scarce assets—such as premium watches, gold, and silver—are gaining increased attention.

While bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies face ongoing pressure, with the US dollar strengthening and commodities remaining high, asset-focused investment strategies have proven more resilient. For serious wealth preservation, migrating from crypto speculation to luxury watch pods is no longer an anomaly—it’s becoming the new norm in asset allocation.