vindje.com / Guides / Electronics
A used Apple Watch is only worth buying if it's removed from the seller's Apple ID, because a locked watch can't be paired and is useless to you. Pair it with your own iPhone at the pickup, check battery health on the watch, and be wary of cheap 'Ultras', which are often fakes.
When an Apple Watch is paired with an iPhone, Find My turns on activation lock. To remove it, the seller must unpair the watch from their iPhone in the Watch app, which also removes it from their Apple ID. Erasing the watch from the watch itself does not always remove the lock.
Pair the watch with your own iPhone before paying. If it asks for the previous owner's Apple ID password, the lock is still on. Ask the seller to remove it right there; if they can't or won't, don't buy. 'Found' or 'iCloud locked' watches are worth nothing to you.
On the watch, open Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Below 80% Apple says the battery has reduced capacity and service is recommended. A watch at 85% or above is fine for a day of normal use. Older watches with worn batteries may not last until bedtime with workouts tracked. Apple's battery service costs around EUR 100, which matters on a watch worth EUR 150.
Make sure the watch supports the iPhone you have and still gets watchOS updates. Series 6 and older are close to or past the end of updates; Series 8, Series 9, Series 10, SE (2nd generation) and Ultra models are better choices in 2026. The SE lacks the always-on display and some health sensors but is good value.
Sizes: 40/41/42 mm for smaller wrists, 44/45/46 mm for larger, Ultra 49 mm. GPS + Cellular models can work without your phone nearby, but need a separate watch subscription from your carrier. If you don't need that, a GPS model is cheaper and fine.
Copies of the Apple Watch Ultra and Series 9 are sold on Marktplaats, sometimes as 'new, wrong gift'. They look close in photos but don't pair through the Apple Watch app; they use their own apps. If it can't pair with an iPhone via the Watch app, it isn't an Apple Watch. Also check the weight and the quality of the Digital Crown, which on copies feels loose.
A cellular watch from a carrier deal works with any Dutch carrier that supports Apple Watch, but the seller should remove their watch plan first. If they forget, you may see a message about the previous plan during setup; usually it can be removed from the watch. Ask the seller to cancel or transfer their watch subscription so you don't end up with a number tied to their account.
Health data and Apple Pay cards are erased when the watch is unpaired, so there's no privacy risk for either of you once that's done.
Look closely at the screen for scratches and cracks, especially on aluminium models with Ion-X glass. Press the side button and turn the crown. Check the back sensor glass for cracks. Make sure the charger is included; third-party chargers often don't work with newer watches. Straps are easy to replace, so don't pay extra for them.
If you want a specific spec, like an Apple Watch Series 9 45mm GPS with battery over 90% under 250 euro, vindje.com can read the listings for battery and size details.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 6 | EUR 80-120 |
| Apple Watch SE (2nd generation) | EUR 100-150 |
| Apple Watch Series 8 | EUR 150-210 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | EUR 190-260 |
| Apple Watch Ultra (1st generation) | EUR 300-400 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | EUR 420-520 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
Apple Watch Series 9 45mm GPS, battery health above 90%, removed from Apple ID, with charger, under 250 euro, within 20 kmSearch Marktplaats like this
Try to pair it with your own iPhone. If it asks for the previous owner's Apple ID, activation lock is still on and the seller must remove it.
Above 85% is good for a full day. Below 80% means reduced capacity and probably a battery service soon.
Yes, it works as a normal GPS watch when you don't add a cellular plan.
Only if both run compatible software. Check that the watch model still gets watchOS updates for your iPhone's iOS version.