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Advice on where to buy Seamaster Aqua Terra and price

maconomist
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Hi all, I've been eyeing the Aqua Terra 41M (220.12.41.21.03.002) for the past year that retails for 5400 USD + tax in the US, but haven't had the guts to pull the trigger on it, since I don't buy luxury watches and this would be a big purchase for me. I noticed it can be found in the grey market for ~4200 final, which is substantially less than retail + tax (9.5% in southern california), so I'd be saving ~1700 in total. In Europe, I could probably get this for ~4500 - 5000 USD final after doing tax free. I found a local authorized dealer that might be able to give me a break on the sales tax, maybe a little bit extra, but it's still 1000 bucks more than grey market price.

Is the peace of mind of going with an AD and getting Omega's warranty worth the extra thousand bucks? Paying a premium is not a huge deal for me, assuming there's a rational justification for doing so, especially when the grey market price is so much lower for this watch... It makes me wonder why it's so much cheaper in the grey market...

Really appreciate your advice, thanks!
 
Foo2rama
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It’s a question only you can answer. Sorry, things are split on this forum on the 3 ways. I’ve had 1 watch need a warranty service but I don’t feel it’s necessary, purchased from an AD. I have 1 grey market that was no longer in production, and I have an LE only available from a Boutique with no discount.
 
speedyproftw
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I've bought several Omegas from grey market dealers, including some who use this forum. Just do your homework and be sure to check out the seller profiles & reviews section.
 
VintageWatchIta
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On this forum you can find a lot of good solution for your purchase, some dealers have tons of positive feedback and you can find good prices 👍
 
maconomist
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Hi all, thanks for your advice. I ended pulling the trigger at a local AD today, since I was able to get it for 4500, a slight premium over the grey market, and wanted the peace of mind / this is my first big watch purchase.

One strange thing though... the AD wasn't aware that Omega updated their warranty to 5 years in November, and my warranty card says its 4 years in the back, even though the date of purchase is today and, according to Omega, any watch purchased after July 1, 2018 gets 5 years warranty.

Do you know how I can validate that I will indeed get 5 years warranty on this watch? Is there a number I should call Omega with my serial?
 
3nicewatches
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maconomist maconomist
Hi all, thanks for your advice. I ended pulling the trigger at a local AD today, since I was able to get it for 4500, a slight premium over the grey market, and wanted the peace of mind / this is my first big watch purchase.

One strange thing though... the AD wasn't aware that Omega updated their warranty to 5 years in November, and my warranty card says its 4 years in the back, even though the date of purchase is today and, according to Omega, any watch purchased after July 1, 2018 gets 5 years warranty.

Do you know how I can validate that I will indeed get 5 years warranty on this watch? Is there a number I should call Omega with my serial?
Relax. You don’t need to call anyone. Your warranty is 5 years. They are still using old stock warranty cards that don’t reflect that yet, but all that matters is the purchase date on the card. Congrats on the AT...they are beautiful!
 
maconomist
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3nicewatches 3nicewatches
Relax. You don’t need to call anyone. Your warranty is 5 years. They are still using old stock warranty cards that don’t reflect that yet, but all that matters is the purchase date on the card. Congrats on the AT...they are beautiful!

Thanks @3nicewatches, that gives me peace of mind. Time to enjoy my new AT and join the Omega community 😀
 
hbombkid
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Congrats. 4500 out the door or did you have to pay tax as well? If that is all in only a couple hundred over a trusted seller and a good deal.

Piece of mind is #1 though.
 
B
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I have that exact same watch on bracelet, and also got it from the AD for $4500 OTD after tax.

I showed them the exact grey market version I was going to buy unless they could reach that number and they knew I was serious about purchasing that day.
Edited:
 
STANDY
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Forum rule

Pictures or it never happened.....
 
maconomist
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Thanks! It was 4500 out the door.

I was looking at the Warranty Card more closely today and noticed that only the AD’s name is printed on the card, but the Date and Serial # were filled out by hand with a sharpie, and the Ref No was left blank. The Pictograms and Master Chronometer cards have all printed info.

Is it ok for the warranty card to be handwritten? Or should I take it back to get the SN, Date, Ref printed on the card? Very strange, since I bought from a very well known, high end AD in Southern California.

I was reading in other threads that apparently ADs in the US fill warranties by hand, this seems quite precarious for such an item, is this so?
 
Foo2rama
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maconomist maconomist
Thanks! It was 4500 out the door.

I was looking at the Warranty Card more closely today and noticed that only the AD’s name is printed on the card, but the Date and Serial # were filled out by hand with a sharpie, and the Ref No was left blank. The Pictograms and Master Chronometer cards have all printed info.

Is it ok for the warranty card to be handwritten? Or should I take it back to get the SN, Date, Ref printed on the card? Very strange, since I bought from a very well known, high end AD in Southern California.

I was reading in other threads that apparently ADs in the US fill warranties by hand, this seems quite precarious for such an item, is this so?
All fine.

Was it traditional?
 
Foo2rama
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maconomist maconomist
Thanks, what do you mean by traditional?
Traditional Jewlers
 
W
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maconomist maconomist
Hi all, I've been eyeing the Aqua Terra 41M (220.12.41.21.03.002) for the past year that retails for 5400 USD + tax in the US, but haven't had the guts to pull the trigger on it, since I don't buy luxury watches and this would be a big purchase for me. I noticed it can be found in the grey market for ~4200 final, which is substantially less than retail + tax (9.5% in southern california), so I'd be saving ~1700 in total. In Europe, I could probably get this for ~4500 - 5000 USD final after doing tax free. I found a local authorized dealer that might be able to give me a break on the sales tax, maybe a little bit extra, but it's still 1000 bucks more than grey market price.

Is the peace of mind of going with an AD and getting Omega's warranty worth the extra thousand bucks? Paying a premium is not a huge deal for me, assuming there's a rational justification for doing so, especially when the grey market price is so much lower for this watch... It makes me wonder why it's so much cheaper in the grey market...

Really appreciate your advice, thanks!

Where did you end up purchasing, if you don't mind me asking?
 
T
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If you buy enough watches, the money you save from greys will offset any repairs (if you don't trust the after market warranty that is). If you are buying just one watch every few years. I recommend a trusted seller on the forums or AD/OB.
 
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