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Any concern buying a 12-13 year old unworn automatic watch?

Dan S
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Peach Gobbler Peach Gobbler
My choice is between an excellent condition but pre-owned watch with cards (no box) that have been filled in and an unworn watch with box and cards but not filled in. Watch 2 carries a 10% premium over watch 1. While pictures can never tell the whole story they both look fantastic and I'd likely be thrilled with either one... but the idea of one being a "new" watch seems worth the premium to me, all else being equal. I will probably take the same precautions with either watch because I have no way of knowing how much either has/hasn't been worn.

The exact year of the watch doesn't concern me. I want an AT8500 41.5mm with the vertical teak dial and the applied date window, seems the specific dial I want was made for about 4 years which is all the same to me.
IMO, they are not equal. The filled-in cards have history, and make that watch significantly more desirable than the one with generic box and cards that can't be connected to the watch. Anyone can buy blank cards and Omega boxes on the internet. And as noted by others, the difference between an excellent watch and a pristine watch may not be very important if you're going to wear it regularly.
 
Peach Gobbler
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Dan S Dan S
IMO, they are not equal. The filled-in cards have history, and make that watch significantly more desirable than the one with generic box and cards that can't be connected to the watch. Anyone can buy blank cards and Omega boxes on the internet. And as noted by others, the difference between an excellent watch and a pristine watch may not be very important if you're going to wear it regularly.
Thank you for your input, I sincerely appreciate it and your points make sense. The good news is I will be able to visit the store in person and inspect the watches before making a decision.
 
ErichPryde
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Peach Gobbler Peach Gobbler
Thank you for your input, I sincerely appreciate it and your points make sense. The good news is I will be able to visit the store in person and inspect the watches before making a decision.


My take here: if you are planning on this being a "heirloom" piece that you want to pass on and that you want to retain value but you have not purchased a luxury watch before, having the papers might be worth it. Why? Because you don't have any idea what you may do with this watch in ten years. Maybe you decide it's not the best watch to pass on. MAYBE your son decides they'd like something different when they finally sell. Paying a small premium (10%) today for some potential security if you decide you want to swap this for something different is totally worth it.
 
Dan S
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
My take here: if you are planning on this being a "heirloom" piece that you want to pass on and that you want to retain value but you have not purchased a luxury watch before, having the papers might be worth it. Why? Because you don't have any idea what you may do with this watch in ten years. Maybe you decide it's not the best watch to pass on. MAYBE your son decides they'd like something different when they finally sell. Paying a small premium (10%) today for some potential security if you decide you want to swap this for something different is totally worth it.
Just to clarify, my understanding is that the watch with the valid signed and dated papers is the less expensive watch. The more expensive watch is supposedly NOS, but has only blank documents.
 
ErichPryde
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Dan S Dan S
Just to clarify, my understanding is that the watch with the valid signed and dated papers is the less expensive watch. The more expensive watch is supposedly NOS, but has only blank documents.

This is correct- but I'm getting the impression the OP might be looking at several of these Aqua Terras so this is just a general statement of "keep this in mind."
 
Peach Gobbler
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Dan S Dan S
Just to clarify, my understanding is that the watch with the valid signed and dated papers is the less expensive watch. The more expensive watch is supposedly NOS, but has only blank documents.
Correct. This dealer actually has 3 pieces that suit so I’m going to see what they are willing to offer in terms of pressure test/service and ask for their best price on each piece, and then go make my selection in person.

Thanks to all who shared their thoughts. This is going to be my 50th birthday present in June so will definitely come back and post pics then.
 
Peach Gobbler
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
My take here: if you are planning on this being a "heirloom" piece that you want to pass on and that you want to retain value but you have not purchased a luxury watch before, having the papers might be worth it. Why? Because you don't have any idea what you may do with this watch in ten years. Maybe you decide it's not the best watch to pass on. MAYBE your son decides they'd like something different when they finally sell. Paying a small premium (10%) today for some potential security if you decide you want to swap this for something different is totally worth it.
I definitely want papers to document the provenance of the watch. Hopefully this one gets passed down more than once 😉
 
ErichPryde
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Peach Gobbler Peach Gobbler
I definitely want papers to document the provenance of the watch. Hopefully this one gets passed down more than once 😉

That's awesome. It's just important to keep in mind that time is a very fickle thing, indeed. Right now, per your OP, I'm operating under the assumption that you have not owned a luxury watch before. If that's the case, you may discover something down the road about this watch that doesn't 100% mesh with you. Or, you may discover another watch that meshes better that you want to pass on instead.

It may very well be that this doesn't happen- but a lot can change during your initial wear & assessment period of any watch, and a lot can change in any timframe measured in years.
 
Dan S
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ErichPryde ErichPryde
That's awesome. It's just important to keep in mind that time is a very fickle thing, indeed. Right now, per your OP, I'm operating under the assumption that you have not owned a luxury watch before. If that's the case, you may discover something down the road about this watch that doesn't 100% mesh with you. Or, you may discover another watch that meshes better that you want to pass on instead.

It may very well be that this doesn't happen- but a lot can change during your initial wear & assessment period of any watch, and a lot can change in any timframe measured in years.
Absolutely true. Very few watches actually become heirlooms. Just because you like the watch now, doesn't mean you'll still love it in 10 years, and unless it becomes your lifetime daily-wear watch, it won't have much sentimental value in the future.

I’d suggest just buying the watch you will enjoy. If it becomes an heirloom … great.
Edited:
 
ErichPryde
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Dan S Dan S
Absolutely true. Very few watches actually become heirlooms. Just because you like the watch now, doesn't mean you'll still love it in 10 years, and unless it becomes your lifetime daily-wear watch, it won't have much sentimental value in the future.

I’d suggest just buying the watch you will enjoy. If it becomes an heirloom … great.

Exactly. Heirloom "things" are the things that we liked and wore every day that were part of us- that our kids remember us for, or as part of us. Don't think you have to fit in "Box A" just because you bought it and built it.
 
Peach Gobbler
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Dan S Dan S
Absolutely true. Very few watches actually become heirlooms. Just because you like the watch now, doesn't mean you'll still love it in 10 years, and unless it becomes your lifetime daily-wear watch, it won't have much sentimental value in the future.
Thanks for the perspective. It's kind of funny, this purchase is largely being funded by selling an acoustic guitar that I bought several years ago as my "grail guitar" but then I never ended up playing it that much. I was going to hold on to it and give it to one of my kids but neither they, nor I, have any real emotional attachment at this point so I get what you are saying.

Hopefully, this watch will stick around longer than that guitar 😎
 
Peach Gobbler
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I am excited to finally be able to close the loop on this. Long story short, it took a lot longer to get to the finish line than I thought and by the time I was ready to buy, both watches were already sold. The model I was after was the first generation Aqua Terra Golf with the green highlights. The dealer still had one in stock but when I saw it in the metal, it was not the right watch for me. Fortunately (unfortunately for my wallet) they had a different Omega in stock that I had always thought would be a great option for me. As soon as I saw it on my wrist my heart stopped and the decision was made. The watch is in excellent condition (circa 2012), full set. It cost about 50% more than the AT but I could not be happier. Thanks for everyone’s input and feedback. I appreciate it!
 
IMG_7257.jpeg
Zman4eva
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Everyone always come back to the Speedmaster. 👍

Great choice if you like an automatic Speedy a big case.
 
Peach Gobbler
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Zman4eva Zman4eva
Everyone always come back to the Speedmaster. 👍

Great choice if you like an automatic Speedy a big case.
Yes, I’m 6’3”/230 so this fits me like a Speedy Pro fits most people. The automatic movement and 100m depth rating were both big factors.

I would also echo others comments that it doesn’t wear as big as the dimensions would suggest.
 
YY77
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100m depth rating
Omega guarantees their WR to the depth it has been certified, so I would not worry swimming with a 50m or even a 30m rated Omega.
 
D
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Congrats on the new Speedy. Different vibe from the AT but still a great watch. I'm wondering if the NOS AT had the other 2 cards the pictogram and the chronometer card. Those would have been filled in and given provenance to the watch.
 
Peach Gobbler
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D drster
Congrats on the new Speedy. Different vibe from the AT but still a great watch. I'm wondering if the NOS AT had the other 2 cards the pictogram and the chronometer card. Those would have been filled in and given provenance to the watch.
Yes, it is funny how things work out sometimes. They actually had four of that watch in stock at one point, they were down to one by the time I could pull the trigger. That one actually didn’t even have papers, but it was a reputable seller so I was going to buy it if I liked it but I didn’t. I tried other color AT’s (the white was my favorite), but the Speedy 9300 grabbed me the second I had it on my wrist.
 
YerWatchIsTooBig
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asrnj77 asrnj77
NOS gets thrown around a lot. To be truly NOS I would want to see stickers on the case and booklets that have never been opened. Often times watches that were in good condition get polished and become NOS. In the end if the price is appealing to you then you should buy it. Just don’t pay a premium for new old stock unless it truly is. Even then if you’re going to wear it it’ll get scratched the second day you wear it so what was the point of it being unworn 😀

"mint" as well. I can't count the number of times I've seen watches--in decent condition, but not "mint"--labeled as "mint."
 
wagudc
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Peach Gobbler Peach Gobbler
Yes, I’m 6’3”/230 so this fits me like a Speedy Pro fits most people. The automatic movement and 100m depth rating were both big factors.

I would also echo others comments that it doesn’t wear as big as the dimensions would suggest.

Looks great on your wrist, and you like it which is all that really matters. It is a winner to me, congrats!
 
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