Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Christiaan van der Klaauw Launches a CPO Program, on its Own Unique Terms
Offering consigment sales and a Heritage Collection through Wristler, CvdK carves its own path in the pre-owned market.
A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programme can be an excellent source of long-sought-after vintage watches that are inspected and verified by the manufacturer. We’ve seen it from mainstream brands like Rolex, but even independent brands such as Urwerk offer CPO programmes. The idea is to offer past models to collectors looking to add that one special piece to their collection. Dutch astronomical watchmakers Christiaan van der Klaauw have now shared news about their CPO approach, and it all sounds mighty interesting!
The premise of most certified pre-owned programmes is pretty straightforward. A brand buys back vintage watches, sometimes limited to specific collections or production years, and refurbishes them to pristine condition. Then, after everything is checked and verified, it’s put on sale. It’s a pretty simple rotational process: watches that might otherwise have been stuck in a drawer, wasting away, get a second lease on life.
Pim Koeslag and his team recently informed us about two interesting CPO-like developments for Christiaan van der Klaauw. While the brand has been around for years, it seems to be in a very good place since Pim’s takeover in 2023. As you might expect from a relatively small independent brand, watches aren’t produced in huge quantities. Suppose you’re looking for a specific older model from CvdK; you’ll need to search every online marketplace, such as eBay or Chrono24. Finding the exact piece might be challenging and, if it’s out of warranty or hasn’t had recent service, potentially costly.
“The idea came from people coming to us if we want to sell their vintage CvdK watch, as well as people asking if we have access to vintage pieces. One plus one equals two and it’s great to be able to connect people and make them happy on both sides!”- Pim Koeslag, CEO for Christiaan van der Klaauw.
What Christiaan van der Klaauw is offering now, however, serves as the link between the CvdK collecting community and those seeking a vintage CvdK watch. Think Kleine Ceres, early editions of the Planetarium, or even the rare Astrolabium and so on.
CvdK actively engages its worldwide group of fans and owners who might be willing to part with their Christiaan van der Klaauw. They are then connected to people actively looking for watches, with the watch checked, serviced, and verified, the paperwork handled, and the handover organised by the CvdK team. All in a safe, transparent, step-by-step process.
Additionally, Christiaan van der Klaauw will offer some of these watches (serviced and under warranty) through Wristler, the online luxury watch marketplace founded and operated by a trio of Dutchmen. These can come from collectors worldwide and will undergo the same verification process before being listed for sale on Wristler’s platform.
When asked how this came about, Pim Koeslag explained that it was prompted by client questions. The CvdK team regularly gets people asking if they have access to vintage models. On the other end of the spectrum, clients also approach CvdK with a watch they are willing to part with. Being the link between supply and demand makes sense for the brand, as it enables them to expand the community of enthusiasts and collectors through a clear, trustworthy process.
For more information and to browse the current collection, visit Klaauw.com or Wrister.eu.
