May 5, 2026

003: The Godfather of Pre-Owned Watches with Thomas Pozsgay

003: The Godfather of Pre-Owned Watches with Thomas Pozsgay

Before “certified pre-owned” became a buzzword… he was already doing it.

In this episode, David sits down with industry veteran Thomas Pozsgay, a true insider whose career spans the retail floor, vintage collecting, pre-owned innovation, and luxury resale at scale.

Thomas was there when the watch world shifted from discounted display cases… to waitlists, hype, collector culture, and a booming secondary market.

If you’ve ever wondered how we got here, this episode is essential listening.

🔥 Key Highlights

  • How Thomas went from a strip-mall jewelry store to the front lines of luxury watches

  • Why selling pre-owned watches in the 1990s was considered radical

  • The surprising truth about Rolex waitlists and scarcity

  • Why most people misunderstand watches as investments

  • What brands insiders quietly respect most

  • Why vintage still wins his heart over modern

  • The hidden problems in today’s pre-owned market

  • Why human trust still beats cold e-commerce

⏱️ Timestamps & Talking Points

00:00 – Meet Thomas Pozsgay

  • David welcomes industry insider, expert, and pre-owned pioneer Thomas Pozsgay

  • A rare guest with true behind-the-scenes perspective

00:30 – How It All Began

  • Early retail job in a small jewelry store

  • Opportunity leads to Tourneau in New York

  • Suddenly exposed to the biggest names in watches

01:20 – Entering the Luxury Watch World

  • First encounters with Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin

  • Fascination begins immediately

01:30 – The Birth of Pre-Owned Watches

  • In the 1990s, Thomas’ team launches a trade-in program

  • Brands hated it

  • Customers loved it

02:30 – Why Pre-Owned Was Revolutionary

  • Dealers used Rolex as a loss leader

  • Nobody knew how to price used watches

  • They built the model from scratch

03:00 – Teaching America to Love Mechanical Watches

  • Quartz dominated consumer thinking

  • Thomas helped educate buyers on craftsmanship, complexity, and mechanical beauty

03:45 – Why Complications Changed Everything

  • Moonphase, chronograph, perpetual calendar, power reserve

  • Mechanical engineering as art form

04:30 – First Rolex Love Story

  • Thomas buys a Rolex Explorer when joining Tourneau

  • Still owns it. Still wears it today.

05:10 – Rolex vs Pre-Owned (Then vs Now)

  • Rolex once opposed used watch sales

  • Today they embrace certified pre-owned

  • “Took them 35 years to get the memo.”

07:00 – Why Omega Should Wake Up

  • Thomas sees huge opportunity for Omega vintage and pre-owned direct programs

  • Heritage is being underused

08:00 – Are Watches Investments? Honest Answer.

  • Most buyers ask the wrong question

  • Better framing: retention of value, not guaranteed profit

09:00 – Pandemic Flipping Madness

  • Dealer-to-dealer speculation

  • $48,000 Daytonas and irrational pricing

  • Many late entrants got hurt

10:00 – Thomas’ Advice on Buying

  • Buy what you love

  • Wear it proudly

  • Let value be secondary

11:20 – Rolex Waitlists Explained

  • Is scarcity real or manufactured?

  • Thomas says: some of both

  • Production constraints + marketing + surging demand

12:30 – Gen Z Knows Watches

  • Younger buyers know calibers, sizes, dials, references

  • Serious new generation of enthusiasts

15:00 – Why Seiko Deserves Respect

  • Thomas sold Seiko in the 1970s

  • Massive popularity then… strong comeback now

  • Grand Seiko impresses him deeply

16:00 – Grand Seiko Excellence

  • Dial artistry

  • Spring Drive innovation

  • Accuracy that rivals anything

17:00 – Personal Collection Favorites

  • Early 1960s GMT

  • Glashütte Original Pano Lunar

  • Quiet, under-the-radar pieces

18:00 – Family Didn’t Get It at First

  • His father once said: “Used watches? Are you nuts?”

  • Today the whole world understands the category

19:10 – What Makes Him Look Twice

  • Unique watches over obvious flex pieces

  • A. Lange & Söhne, old Calatravas, Vacheron Historique models

20:20 – Biggest Beginner Mistake

  • Obsessing over investment potential

  • Ignoring fit, feel, passion, wrist presence

22:00 – Hidden Danger in Pre-Owned

  • Lack of qualified watchmakers

  • Non-original parts

  • Watches sold without proper service

25:00 – What Is MyGemma?

  • MyGemma buys and sells handbags, jewelry, and watches

  • Real humans guide the process, not just forms and bots

28:45 – Final Wisdom

  • “Live life. Enjoy it. Because time goes by quickly.”

💡 Standout Quotes

  • “Buy something you like. Wear it. Enjoy it.”

  • “Go by your heart, not your mind.”

  • “Used watches? Are you nuts?”

  • “Time goes by quickly.”

  • “There’s value there.”