I recently purchasd the outgoing Speedmaster Professional (hesalite) with the 1861 from an AD (7-8 days ago) and I just noticed it has a DON bezel but everything else aligns with the 1861 (strap, dial, hands) .... but i have this sinking feeling if I was pushed a altered watch. it is absolutely mint (i took off all the plastic covers everything)... Due to the pandemic the transaction was done curbside ..however i have receipts , full box and papers.

Is there anyway there could have been a transitional model with such a bezel? (My guess is no)..

Just really puzzled .. have contacted omega as well.

Some pics for reference..

 

I have some doubts about that bezel.

 

Can we see the caseback?

 

Can ADs push

Can you explain? AD can slip a watch with a fake/ swapped bezel just like that?

Bezel is the same as the 3861.. how it's on a brand new 1861 is beyond me...

 

Maybe it's a mistake and there is a simple explanation.

 

I'm at a loss as to how this happens from and AD on a new watch. Guess I need more popcorn while this unfolds further.

 

Maybe the AD dinged the original one and put on the current replacement bezel

 

If you can PM me the serial number of the watch., I'd like to double check that on the Omega Extranet.

 

I'm wondering if OP got the 3861 at a hefty discount

 

Wrong case, wrong bracelet, wrong dial for 3861.

I doubt retailer changed bezel, could be honest mistake from factory. It happens. We've all seen vintage watches with quirks, and we conclude something was changed over the years, but perhaps the true answer was it came from the factory that way for whatever reason. Like OP's watch. Occam's Razor.

 

How does something like this pass QC at Omega.. don't get me wrong I'll be happy to own this if it's genuine omega mistake .

And then how does AD have the time and intent to find a new bezel and install it and risk getting caught cheating a customer?

 

I received the serial number via PM, and have confirmed that it is for a 31130423001005.

Strange one for sure.

 

Can there be any tell tale sign of the bezel being swapped? ...I looked very closely it indeed looks like the 3861 bezel.

 

No real sign if the swap is done properly. My guess here is that the bezel may have been damaged, and someone ordered a replacement, but ordered the wrong thing.

Who is the dealer you bought this from?

 

European Jewellers , Toronto ..they are also listed on Omegas website.

 

Have you asked them about the bezel? They have had some issues in the past, and every time I hear the name, I can't help but think of this thread:

European Jewellers Fraud | WatchUSeek Watch Forums

Actually in looking that thread over, you posted in it back in 2015, so I guess you already understood their rather poor reputation...

 

This was at their yorkdale location nonetheless they are indeed known to be snobbish and not educated ...but I also understand people stroll in waste their time and try to steal stuff ..

Yes it was the first time in a very long time I did business with them ...However the lady I dealt with was professional maybe because I was a serious buyer ...I had contacted them after asking a few dealers ...

I am yet to speak to them but I wanted do my homework as I am assuming they will deny it ...


I have a quite a few watches but never had anything off this way...part of me is trying to process how to approach this. Hence I am on the forum.

 

It seems you have a few options:

1. Accept the watch as it is and count it as a quirk. I don't think long term value is affected one way or the other. You could print out this thread and keep it as part of the record to show you received the watch in this condition.
2. Return it to European Jewellers and ask for an explanation. They will probably deny anything happened and claim they got it that way. You could either ask for a refund or demand a new one (if available). That may or may not work.
3. Contact Omega in Canada and state your case and see what they are willing to do. Probably replace the bezel with the correct one.

If it were me I'd probably keep the watch and just know it is 'different'. People get all digital about a DON bezel, you got one for free. It's like a four leaf clover. But if you are stickler for correctness I'd go for option 3. Other than asking EJ for an explanation I probably would not try to work through them, it seems like a recipe for frustration.

Good luck.