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Buyer Beware: Fake Mitsukoshi Speedmaster 3570.31

Evitzee
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A fair conclusion would be that the dealer knew it was modded and was hoping it would pass by an unsuspecting buyer, that's why he wouldn't provide a serial number until payment was made. That was a huge red flag and would have made me hesitant to proceed. Buyer was lucky that the seller held up the shipping until the SN could be verified, if the seller quickly shipped the watch the buyer would have had the mess of having to return the watch to Japan. A big hassle and added cost to the buyer. Agree, no reason to blur the fake numbers, out this watch and the seller! We take this blurring thing way too far.
Edited:
 
Ron_W
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Evitzee Evitzee
A fair conclusion would be that the dealer knew it was modded and was hoping it would pass by an unsuspecting buyer,
And that sucks.... big time :fakecat:
 
watchstick_81
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Archer Archer
One thing to be aware of is that when people are subscribed to this thread, they get an email that includes photos. You forgot to blur the service card originally, so I double checked and yes it's just a regular Speedmaster...
Thanks Archer. I was unaware of photos being attached in e-mail notifications, my bad! I blurred it because I was uncertain of the forum rules and the general consensus here. Anyway, it's out in the open now and I hope people will read this topic and handle accordingly, as you mention.
Archer Archer
So what did the seller say when you confronted them with this information?
It's a very reputable Japanese dealer with brick/mortar stores, who specifically mentioned they only sell authentic watches. After confronting them with the evidence, they immediaitely co-operated and canceled my order. But they still think it's a legit one because of the warranty card and the Omega system "is problably not up to date".....yeah right. I am waiting for their next responses before initiating a witch hunt. I think the Omega service center serviced the watch without checking the components. Or that card is fake as well? It should be mentioned on the invoice.

Anyway, lessons learned and I am glad I stood my ground demanding the serial before they shipped out the watch.
 
watchstick_81
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Evitzee Evitzee
he wouldn't provide a serial number until payment was made.
That's quite common with dealers. We must not forget that serial numbers of real Mitsukoshi's (or any other hard-to-get-and-popular-watch) can be used by scammers to portray it as as real one. If you would check that serial with Omega, it would come out as legit. So it's not without reason a lot of dealers don't share the full serial number, unless they know you're a real watch collector. I already had the agreement with the seller that he would share the serial first before shipping it out. And it's a dealer with a very high star rating on Chrono24, plus the escrow service would have been helpful.
 
Archer
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watchstick_81 watchstick_81
We must not forget that serial numbers of real Mitsukoshi's (or any other hard-to-get-and-popular-watch) can be used by scammers to portray it as as real one.

I honestly think that concern is overblown. There is a serial number on the case and the movement - both should be checked. If either are removed (they would have to be to pass the watch off as something other than what it is) or they differ, then you shouldn't buy the watch, period.
 
watchstick_81
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Archer Archer
There is a serial number on the case and the movement - both should be checked
Agreed but we鈥檙e talking false advertisements here. Many have been scammed with hacked eBay accounts in the past. If a scammer can provide a legit Mitsukoshi (for example) serial to a potential buyer, who is than convinced it鈥檚 the real deal, it鈥檚 a win for the scammer. Not everyone has access to the Omega system.

Anyway, I understand why it鈥檚 done and I also rather have access to all serial numbers before I spend my hard earned money. Luckily no money lost here.

Btw, I also know watch forums had serious legal claims from companies that were subject of a forum witch hunt.
 
sensui
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watchstick_81 watchstick_81
It's a very reputable Japanese dealer with brick/mortar stores, who specifically mentioned they only sell authentic watches. After confronting them with the evidence, they immediaitely co-operated and canceled my order. But they still think it's a legit one because of the warranty card and the Omega system "is problably not up to date".....yeah right. I am waiting for their next responses before initiating a witch hunt. I think the Omega service center serviced the watch without checking the components. Or that card is fake as well? It should be mentioned on the invoice.

Anyway, lessons learned and I am glad I stood my ground demanding the serial before they shipped out the watch.

I wouldn't be reluctant to disclose who this "reputable" shop is. It's common knowledge amongst dealers/collectors that Omega keeps very good records of their serial numbers when it comes to the corresponding reference. AKA it's straight forward when you punch in a serial # it shows you exactly which reference the serial # refers to. Any reputable watch shop in Japan would know this.....that kind of response would be a big red flag to me knowing Japanese dealers.
 
Archer
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watchstick_81 watchstick_81
Agreed but we鈥檙e talking false advertisements here. Many have been scammed with hacked eBay accounts in the past. If a scammer can provide a legit Mitsukoshi (for example) serial to a potential buyer, who is than convinced it鈥檚 the real deal, it鈥檚 a win for the scammer. Not everyone has access to the Omega system.

Anyway, I understand why it鈥檚 done and I also rather have access to all serial numbers before I spend my hard earned money. Luckily no money lost here.

Btw, I also know watch forums had serious legal claims from companies that were subject of a forum witch hunt.
You do you, but really there's no reason to keep this all a secret.
 
watchstick_81
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If this same watch will pop up again somewhere from the same dealer, I will warn everyone here (also which dealer it is). Again, if they make a mistake or were misinformed themselves, they have the right to correct this mess. I don't care if people think otherwise. The serial is already out in the open.

Edit: The dealer removed all advertisements of this particular Speedmaster, it's no longer on their site, Ebay etc.
Edited:
 
watchstick_81
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Alex Cheers Alex Cheers
Serial is visible in one of the pictures
Excellent Alex, well spotted! So indeed another mod sold as original 馃槨

Edit: The Chrono24 advertisement has been removed. So now there are only 2 real ones available on Chrono24, three are the same watch but spread over multiple regions/dealers.
Edited:
 
Tag0935
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watchstick_81 watchstick_81
馃毃 Watch out for this Japanese offer as well: 馃毃
https://www.chrono24.nl/omega/speed...inless-steel-silverblack-dial--id40701908.htm

They won't disclose the full serial except that it starts with 777xxxx. That means it's a regular Speedmaster from around 2009/2010.
Again red flags!
Wow, such a soft case! It is even worse than many Ed Whites that I have seen so far. They took the polishing too far to m(f)ake it as new. And the warranty card seems unstamped... Phew
 
watchstick_81
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Buyers aware! Someone mentioned he was was offered a very expensive Mitsukoshi (around 26K euro) with serial 77085527, but this is a regular Moonwatch as well!

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