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60s gold seamaster from chrono24 misadvertised as fully serviced and running well. What would you do?

omegamannj
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Hi All,

So after searching for a 60's gold-topped seamasters for about a year, I found one that felt good on Chrono24, listed by a dealer. In the listing it specifically stated it was serviced January 2026 and is +3s/d, 310 amp, 0 be. With that in mind, I was okay paying a premium knowing I wouldn't need to take the time and money to get it serviced.

I received the watch and first thing I noticed was that the "new" leather strap was peeling in multiple places. I wound the crown and noticed it was quite tight. Not gritty, just very difficult to turn. That prompted me to put in on a timegrapher and the averaged 6-positions reading is +15 s/d, 270 amp, .1 be.

I'm not sure what to make of this. I gave the seller this info and was given the option to return it, but I took a $300 customs fee already, which I think is mostly impossible to get back, and then there would be shipping/insurance fees.

I'm not sure what to do....
 
Ron_W
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Open a complaint with C24 i guess, claiming "not as advertised" and demand full refund. Should not be a problem. Reclaiming customs fee is a bummer with documents etc but contact the courrier used to help you with that.
 
omegamannj
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I think the part that bothers me most is the not as advertised aspect as you said. The readings aren't the worst, but it's reasonably farther than advertised, and I think reflects price to some extent. I see unknown condition ones at much cheaper. The crown I am not sure the extent of the issue, whether simple or more complicated.
 
bardamu
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I would keep the watch asking for a partial refund. As said above, readings are not bad.
In the meanwhile, I'd wear the watch for a few days and see if the readings settle down.
 
JimInOz
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Where are you located?
Where was the watch from?
Do you have documented proof of service?
What settings did you apply to your Timegrapher?
Did the seller list all six positions in their Timegrapher "report"?
 
omegamannj
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JimInOz JimInOz
Where are you located?
Where was the watch from?
Do you have documented proof of service?
What settings did you apply to your Timegrapher?
Did the seller list all six positions in their Timegrapher "report"?
I'm in the US. Seller is in Netherlands. I asked for documented proof of service, but he didn't provide it. He also didn't specify how he recorded his reading. He insists it was serviced within the month. I feel like this means the caseback was opened to look for any obvious issues and put back on. On my timegrapher, I averaged the 6 positions (+4 lowest, +25 highest). Wound watch all the way. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Set lift angle to 49. 19800 bph.
 
omegamannj
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I was just offered $250 reimbursement. They have an in house watchmaker it seems, and he said I can ship it back for repair if I want instead... which doesn't make much sense for numerous reasons.... more shipping fees and not sure he was competent the first time around.

I paid $1500 (and $300 in tariffs/customs) for the watch. I'm not sure this $250 is fair with a not-as-advertised piece. Different story if nothing was mentioned and it was sold at 700-900$.

Also I don't know the extent of repair for the tight crown, or if it ends up actually needing service.
 
bardamu
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omegamannj omegamannj
I'm in the US. Seller is in Netherlands. I asked for documented proof of service, but he didn't provide it. He also didn't specify how he recorded his reading. He insists it was serviced within the month. I feel like this means the caseback was opened to look for any obvious issues and put back on. On my timegrapher, I averaged the 6 positions (+4 lowest, +25 highest). Wound watch all the way. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Set lift angle to 49. 19800 bph.

Do you have a trusted watchmaker? Ask him to open the watch and inspect it: it will be easy for him to understand at first glance whether the watch was serviced last month or not.

Finally, one question: do you like the watch? If I were in your shoes and I liked the watch, I would try to keep it, especially after an overseas shipment.
 
omegamannj
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bardamu bardamu
Do you have a trusted watchmaker? Ask him to open the watch and inspect it: it will be easy for him to understand at first glance whether the watch was serviced last month or not.

Finally, one question: do you like the watch? If I were in your shoes and I liked the watch, I would try to keep it, especially after an overseas shipment.
I don't actually. I've only used the service centers in the past. I've googled someone about an hour away with 5.0 reviews over a long span of time so it's likely I'd try them later today.

I like the watch a lot actually, which makes it all a bit more difficult, along with international shipping.

It's just rough to have something listed as running nearly chronometer level, paying a premium for that, trusting the listing is honest, and receiving it in mediocre condition with a stiff crown.
 
MtV
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omegamannj omegamannj
It's just rough to have something listed as running nearly chronometer level, paying a premium for that, trusting the listing is honest, and receiving it in mediocre condition with a stiff crown.
Not sure „mediocre“ is fair for the time grapher results you produced. Yes, it’s different from what the dealer mentioned, I get it. But especially amplitude and beat error are great actually.

The difficulty of winding it is more of an issue, but that could even be down to the crown. Some are an absolute pain to use, some are great. And it’s a subjective point, difficult to discuss.

Bottom line: If you like it a lot I‘d just keep and wear it. You can always go to see another watchmaker and the refund you got will likely pay for half of that bill. Not worth the hassle with duty, shipping etc. Because if you return it, you’ll be down 300$ import duty for nothing. That’s more likely to leave a sour taste in your mouth than having paid a little more than expected for a watch you love.
 
bardamu
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MtV MtV
Bottom line: If you like it a lot I‘d just keep and wear it. You can always go to see another watchmaker and the refund you got will likely pay for half of that bill. Not worth the hassle with duty, shipping etc. Because if you return it, you’ll be down 300$ import duty for nothing. That’s more likely to leave a sour taste in your mouth than having paid a little more than expected for a watch you love.

Totally agreed on this.
 
JimInOz
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omegamannj omegamannj
I'm in the US. Seller is in Netherlands. I asked for documented proof of service, but he didn't provide it. He also didn't specify how he recorded his reading. He insists it was serviced within the month. I feel like this means the caseback was opened to look for any obvious issues and put back on. On my timegrapher, I averaged the 6 positions (+4 lowest, +25 highest). Wound watch all the way. Let it sit for 5 minutes. Set lift angle to 49. 19800 bph.
Ignoring the sellers descriptions/claims, your watch has travelled through various postal systems. Possibly been subjected to extreme temperature/atmospheric pressure variations and shocks and vibrations.
I'm not apologising for the seller, but these things can have an effect on the performance of the watch.

The issues are not all that serious and should be able to be remedied with a basic service which your refund will help cover.

Put it down to experience (as we all have in the past) and enjoy your new watch.
 
Peemacgee
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I think we all recognise your frustration @omegamannj - your purchase wasn't quite as advertised and it is really irritating.

However let's look at the facts:
you've been looking for the 'right' watch for a year.
you were willing to pay $1800 all-in for it (which is a lot for a gold-capped Seamaster - so it must have ticked pretty much all of your boxes).
- partially because it was a hassle-free watch.
the value of a watch is in its condition - a service only adds around $200-$300 (so not a $700-$900 difference)
you have been offered a $250 refund - the cost of a well-priced service.
you would lose $300 imports charges.

Keep the watch, have it looked at if the stiff crown bothers you (I've had stiff Constellation crowns after service - they have a rubber seal in them)

In 6 months time you will have forgotten the initial irritation and will simply enjoy looking at the watch you've spent quite a while looking for.
 
Larry S
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Noob tax paid IMO. A transatlantic flight is tough on watches no matter how well packed. I’ve had working watches at shipment fail when they got to me. I bought a rare and expensive UG non running because the seller and I decided that my watchmaker was a better choice to get it sorted for less than his guy after shipment. Always budget for a full service, no matter what the seller tells you.
 
Dan S
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In my opinion, this is the typical BS involved in buying from a profit-seeking "dealer" on Chrono24. Newb-tax paid ... it could be worse.

If you continue, and become a serious enthusiast/collector, you will eventually have the means to distinguish good from bad and fair market value. And you will develop a network of contacts that can help you acquire good pieces at fair (not bargain) prices.

SOG53 SOG53
How about a photo after all this chat?
Yep, let's see it!

Edit: I don't know what reference the OP watch is, but gold-capped Seamasters come up now and then in the private sales listings. I sold one last year and it stayed in the OF family.
Edited:
 
hansaboy
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JimInOz JimInOz
Put it down to experience (as we all have in the past) and enjoy your new watch
Peemacgee Peemacgee
In 6 months time you will have forgotten the initial irritation and will simply enjoy looking at the watch you've spent quite a while looking for.
Can only agree!
 
SOG53
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omegamannj omegamannj
I'm not sure what to do....
You have a watch you like. ☺️
Its running but a few sec different in your timegrapher test 🥱
Seller offerring money back 😊

JimInOz JimInOz
Put it down to experience (as we all have in the past) and enjoy your new watch.
This!
 
Davidt
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
I think we all recognise your frustration @omegamannj - your purchase wasn't quite as advertised and it is really irritating.

However let's look at the facts:
you've been looking for the 'right' watch for a year.
you were willing to pay $1800 all-in for it (which is a lot for a gold-capped Seamaster - so it must have ticked pretty much all of your boxes).
- partially because it was a hassle-free watch.
the value of a watch is in its condition - a service only adds around $200-$300 (so not a $700-$900 difference)
you have been offered a $250 refund - the cost of a well-priced service.
you would lose $300 imports charges.

Keep the watch, have it looked at if the stiff crown bothers you (I've had stiff Constellation crowns after service - they have a rubber seal in them)

In 6 months time you will have forgotten the initial irritation and will simply enjoy looking at the watch you've spent quite a while looking for.

Frustrating as it is, this is good advice and is what I was about to type.

If you’re happy with the watch it’s the best option without cutting off your nose to spite your face.
 
DON
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Is the crown new? I found new crowns are stiff due the fresh gasket which isn’t worn from use.

When I restored. In order to avoid problems. I placed a tiny touch of watch makers grease on the case tube to make turning easier
 
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