Watches of Knightsbridge are probably the best auction house for their guides on condition. If you venture past the pretty photographs, you will find a boring chart in the back of the catalogue that gives their view on condition and originality of the dial, case and bracelet/strap. I don't know of other mainstream houses that are this open.

The other thing with buying from a mainstream auction house is that you don't need the security of paying with a credit card, unless your finances are stretched - so you don't need to attract that additional charge.

 

Agreed 2x.

 

look forward with interest to see what this will go for.

 

Why are the hands an add on? I get the bezel, but I thought the dauphine hands were out with the early 002"s.

 

Antiquorum do the very same in their catalogues and Bonhams mail a quite good condition report, if required, including answers to your particular questions, if any.

 

Knightsbridge will mail hi res pics upon request as well.

 

MSNWatch

While I understand what you are suggesting and understand how and why it would work I see one major problem someone would have with trying to set this up and that is just how are they going to be able to attract sellers that will be willing to send their watch in for sale and not worry about if they would get paid? or see their watch again if it did not sell from a brand new company.

At least with a bricks and mortar business you know where they are and they have some history and a reputation with a brand new and on line only company none of that exists. I know I wouldn't want to risk it also the same goes for anyone buying from such a site even though they would mostly have to use credit cards or PayPal and as we know that alone would mean being charged an extra fee for using these methods as it costs to use these services for the business so who would risk buying from a new on line only auction site? and in the end would it really be that much cheaper? I'm pretty sure if it really was that easy to do and compete and undercut the established auction houses by now someone would of done it. Maybe the reason the high fees sorry premiums for both buyers and sellers are as high as they are are because running such a business actually incurs significant costs and of course as not everything sells they need to make a profit on what does to cover those costs.

As it is it looks like Watches of Knightsbridge have actually done most of what you are suggesting as their buyer and seller premiums are lower then Bonhams or Sotherbys and they are specialising mainly in wrist watches. Maybe trying to undercut them just wouldn't end up being profitable?

Marc

 

How do you know that the sellers don't?

 

MSNWatch

Wow I had no idea that this great forum was so young as it has quickly become my go to watch forum even though my recent purchase of a Vintage Omega is what lead me here it is far more than just an Omega Forum IMHO. I have to say that I have also found the members here to be very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful to all that visit and seek advice or information the sign of a true community IMO.

As to the whole Auction House thing I think I'll just agree to disagree with you about just how hard or likely it is that we will see anyone take on the established auction houses or not and start an on line auction house just for watches as only time will show us if it happens or not.

Marc

 

You might want to read this thread over on WUS - timely thread with regards to your comment about being paid:

http://forums.watchuseek.com/f2/problem-payment-antiquorum-auctions-1075681.html

I'm not saying all auction houses are bad, but it seems not all of them are good in this regard either. Add in the fees, the incorrect descriptions that have been discussed on this forum, and to me they have suspect credibility in some cases.

Like any other place you do business with, it's a good idea to do some research on them before you have any transaction - I would not assume because they are a big name, they don't have problems.

Cheers, Al

 

Archer

Wow that really is unbelievable and what I find even worse is how those two guys are still just asking them to be paid!!!! as i responded in that thread if it was me I would of got a lawyer to send a formal demand giving them 7 days and then started proceedings to recover my monies especially as they are talking about $50,000 and $100,000 sales.

Marc

 

My watches for sale do not leave the house until the money is in my PayPal account. And with eBay I have total control over the photographs, the description, and my terms of business. So I really don't see what is so terribly wrong with eBay - from a seller's perspective, of course.