1861 Speedmaster, new from AD wrong box/set

nola22 · Jul 2, 2023

So long story short; over the past year I finally decided to take the plunge on a Moonwatch after having owned a grey side, then dark side for years. I found the older style bracelet and wearability more to my liking (don’t like the extreme taper of the 3861). I know I’m in the majority there; but after years of 43.5 POs and 44 Seamaster chronographs I’ve grown accustomed to substantial sizes.

Anyway in my search I found an AD that had a new 1861 Hesalite in stock (it was a holdback/layaway for a customer that never came back they said). No discounts, so full price. A few days later receive the watch, and right away I know something is wrong just by the size of the shipping box. I open it up, and sure enough its the new style box/set (3861) so didn’t get the large box, nato/nasa straps, loupe, etc. I do have the cards however, and it appears new (though the Hesalite does have some very minor scratches in full light (aka no protective plastic anywhere except the inside bracelet). As I understand with Hesalite though, that could simply be from someone wiping it down when trying it on, etc.

I let them know immediately, so they get back to me that they can’t find the box, so I think they clearly mixed up a previous sale 3861; and they are waiting to hear back from their omega rep on getting the correct box (I’m not putting a lot of faith in that). Nearly a deal breaker for me, as the previous box set was def part of the appeal of the old version.

I know I am lucky to find a previous gen new with full warranty from and AD; so I am contemplating either returning so I can resume and find a mint with box resale -or- I might see if they break some on the price to avoid the return of an incomplete set watch back into inventory. Any thoughts on an acceptable discount given the lack of the complete set?

asrnj77 · Jul 2, 2023

Maybe they can refund you $175 or so. You can find the boxes and accessories on eBay. You have the cards and that’s the hard part. You can sell the 3861 box and buy the older one that you want

Evitzee · Jul 2, 2023

They can get the older box from Omega because the New 321 Ed White still uses this box, so don't let them get away with the 'it's no longer available' excuse. If you want a discount in lieu of the box I think $500 would be a good number especially since they didn't give you any discount.

STANDY · Jul 2, 2023

I wouldn’t worry about the box, but I would want the accessories that came in the box if I was you.
Myself haven’t seen my box (red one) since I bought the watch in 2014, sitting in a cupboard.

Cougar1968 · Jul 2, 2023

There’s always a few 1861 box sets with everything except the watch on eBay for about $400. Maybe ask for a few hundred $$ discount and sell the 3861 box?

nola22 · Jul 2, 2023

Evitzee
They can get the older box from Omega because the New 321 Ed White still uses this box, so don't let them get away with the 'it's no longer available' excuse. If you want a discount in lieu of the box I think $500 would be a good number especially since they didn't give you any discount.

That makes me feel a little better; here I was thinking that box with the accessories was out of production, etc. Question is does Omega have spares to send?

Omarrye · Jul 2, 2023

Swatch Group do send out new replacement boxes under warranty so you can possibly contact them directly. Contact Omega customer service directly from their site if your AD doesn’t come through

7enderbender · Jul 5, 2023

nola22
So long story short; over the past year I finally decided to take the plunge on a Moonwatch after having owned a grey side, then dark side for years. I found the older style bracelet and wearability more to my liking (don’t like the extreme taper of the 3861). I know I’m in the majority there; but after years of 43.5 POs and 44 Seamaster chronographs I’ve grown accustomed to substantial sizes.

Anyway in my search I found an AD that had a new 1861 Hesalite in stock (it was a holdback/layaway for a customer that never came back they said). No discounts, so full price. A few days later receive the watch, and right away I know something is wrong just by the size of the shipping box. I open it up, and sure enough its the new style box/set (3861) so didn’t get the large box, nato/nasa straps, loupe, etc. I do have the cards however, and it appears new (though the Hesalite does have some very minor scratches in full light (aka no protective plastic anywhere except the inside bracelet). As I understand with Hesalite though, that could simply be from someone wiping it down when trying it on, etc.

I let them know immediately, so they get back to me that they can’t find the box, so I think they clearly mixed up a previous sale 3861; and they are waiting to hear back from their omega rep on getting the correct box (I’m not putting a lot of faith in that). Nearly a deal breaker for me, as the previous box set was def part of the appeal of the old version.

I know I am lucky to find a previous gen new with full warranty from and AD; so I am contemplating either returning so I can resume and find a mint with box resale -or- I might see if they break some on the price to avoid the return of an incomplete set watch back into inventory. Any thoughts on an acceptable discount given the lack of the complete set?

I’m in the same camp of people who prefer the previous model (movement, dial, bracelet, big box set). I’d return it. Their story doesn’t line up. Hesalite doesn’t get scratched by somebody trying it on in the store. Yes, that can likely be polished and look good as new but they didn’t even bother with that. They’re trying to sell a used watch as new old stock and didn’t even source the correct box. What about the warranty card and date?

fiberguy · Jul 5, 2023

The watch box for the 1861 is cool, the extra bits are more important in my opinion. The scratches on your watch would be a whole other situation, especially if the hesalite has scratches. Not sure I could live with that unless I received some financial consideration. I am also one of those people who wanted the older 1861 watch. I was told by my AD in the beginning of the year that some would become available sometime this year. Everyday I checked the Omega site, and towards the the end of April it loaded with a "Buy" button!! Not sure if they are still going to have them available, you could always call Omega.

Evitzee · Jul 5, 2023

Without pics we don't know how pronounced these scratches are. They could be just swirls which can happen in a showroom with a hesalite crystal. But this brings up another issue, there have been examples here where a buyer returns a new watch for various reasons; maybe cosmetic, maybe mechanical, maybe just a change of mind....well, those watches have to go somewhere, often they go back into the showcase to be resold as "new". In my view once a new watch goes out the door it shouldn't be accepted back. Once it's sold, it's sold.

In this case we have no idea of the watch's history...brand spanking new (probably) with a missing box, or a returned watch (possible).

nola22 · Jul 5, 2023

The scratches on the Hesalite aren’t deep, just what you probably normally get from wiping it down with a glove/cloth a few times. They are visible under sunlight or bright light only.

To answer all the questions; it was sold as new; the warr card was not filled out, just the dealer stamp and was told it was activated the day I purchased.

Omega does officially maintain that they may release some units this year, but won’t make any guarantees.

I talked to them today and I’m sending back. They did offer a small discount; but it was not enough for me to warrant the issues. They even tried to get me to arrange and pay for shipping back to them; but that was a no go for me for obvious reasons, so they eventually agreed to send me a shipping label (not great service).

Not the best experience for me from this AD; and to me if I’m going to pay full freight the experience matters.

1861 Speedmaster, new from AD wrong box/set

nola22

asrnj77

Evitzee

STANDY

Cougar1968

nola22

Omarrye

7enderbender

fiberguy

Evitzee

nola22

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