Buyer Risk Postage

The responsibility for shipping an item depends on the country and the situation. In Germany for example, a professional seller is responsible for the shipping. i.e. that the item is delivered to the customer. In contrast, a private seller is only responsible for the item until he has given it to the logistics partner. If the item is lost during shipping, he cannot be held responsible for that.

The insurance also seems to depend on the country. Again Germany as an example (I don't know the situation in NL): No courier insures jewelry or watches. Even if you buy an additional insurance from them (DHL offers such worthless insurances), watches are not covered. You need a special courier for valuables or a special insurance like secursus.

Lucky you!

A couple strategies that have worked for me in the past are as follows...

1. Pay with a credit card (typically through paypal). Pay the sellers side of the fees (or split) and that way your credit card should protect you.
2. Get a tracking number and use a god shipper! Ideally use Parcel Pro where available (might just be North America) and have the watch insured for shipping. If the parcel matters use FedEx. Fedex doesn't tend to lose stuff and it's tracked at every possible step of the journey. And shipping it FedEx through Parcel Pro gives an extra assurance. It's actually quite reasonable. I recently shipped 3 watches worth $30k (usd) back to Omega for servicing. I think shipping and insurance cost $140 and it was there the next day.
3. If possible get all the watch info from the seller and insure the watch (personally via a scheduled item rider) prior to shipment. This can be tricky as often the appraiser will need the physical piece but if you explain the situation then this can sometimes be avoided.
4. Number 3 also works from the seller side. I don't dream about taking the watch off my rider (after a sale) until the transaction is 100% finished, I've received and have cleared the funds (without any restrictions) and the buyer is happy.

As stated many times before, buy the seller as much as the watch. Use good sellers, buck up and spend the extra $50-$150 to insure it and absorb that cost into all the enjoyment that new piece will bring you!