What does “Very Good” mean?

Very good is a condition grade for a pre-owned watch that shows normal light wear when you look closely. There may be fine scratches on the case and bracelet, marks on the clasp and light wear on the bezel, but nothing that spoils the overall look or suggests the watch was mistreated.

For buyers, very good often offers the best balance between price and appearance, particularly for watches meant to be worn daily. The main things to check are whether any wear is deeper than expected, whether the case shape is still crisp or has been softened by polishing, and whether the bracelet has stretch, which can be a sign of heavy use. Sellers do best when they describe the wear honestly and show it in photos, because the step between very good and excellent is subjective and differences in opinion are common.

A typical description: “Very good condition, light scratches on the case and bracelet visible on close inspection, no dents, crystal clean, keeps good time.” Buyers can then judge for themselves from the pictures.