Buying a watch from analog/shift

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Sidrox25

·Nov 12, 2020

I'm actually looking into buying a watch from analog shift. It is a vintage piece from the 1980s and it is a chrnometer. I asked if it is running within COSC they stated it was not. Based on the premium they charge should they service the watch before selling it typically? I'm new to buying vintage and I want to make sure I cover my bases as best as possible.

 

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Davidt

·Nov 12, 2020

I'm not saying you should or shouldn't buy from them but it's perfectly possible to have a vintage chronometer fully serviced and it not run at COSC spec.

Nevertheless, I don't understand how many of these vintage dealers think it's appropriate to sell unserviced watches at such premiums.

 

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Dan S

·Nov 12, 2020

There is no guarantee that a vintage piece will run to COSC standards even after a service, and most dealers won't service a watch unless it isn't operating properly. If you want to be sure to have a watch meeting COSC standards, buy a new one. That type of timekeeping isn't usually a high priority to vintage watch collectors.

 

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Sidrox25

·Nov 12, 2020

Davidt

I'm not saying you should or shouldn't buy from them but it's perfectly possible to have a vintage chronometer fully serviced and it not run at COSC spec.

Nevertheless, I don't understand how many of these vintage dealers think it's appropriate to sell unserviced watches at such premiums.

Right I was thinking the same thing. I see on HQMilton their pieces are advertised as running within COSC even with older models. I bought a 90s GMT Master from them and it was running within spec. Thats why I wasn't sure if it makes sense to buy a vintage piece from a dealer that is not running closer to tolerance.

 

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Davidt

·Nov 12, 2020

Timekeeping isn't always the best barometer. A watch can need a service and be causing wear to the movement but still be running within spec.

 

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Syrte

·Nov 12, 2020

Dan S

most dealers won't service a watch unless it isn't operating properly.

Really? I never realized that. I find it quite extraordinary indeed, considering the prices they charge.

 

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asrnj77

·Nov 12, 2020

A lot of these watches are sold on consignment. Their in house watchmaker gives it a once over and then they list it. Typically the seller will ask for 20% increase to cover the commission hit.

 

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Foo2rama

·Nov 12, 2020·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

<sarcasm>

Syrte

Really? I never realized that. I find it quite extraordinary indeed, considering the prices they charge.

</sarcasm>

 

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STANDY

·Nov 12, 2020·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

Servicing a watch would be a overhead most dealers don’t want.
Limits turn around.

Bit like most used car sales.
Few dollars to detail it and make it look worth more, and a few dollars to Fix it up to last a bit.

 

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sdre

·Nov 13, 2020

Does A/S put under their terms and condition that every piece they sold has to run under cosc?

Perhaps it's better to have a look at their fine print.....

 

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Syrte

·Nov 13, 2020

Foo2rama

<sarcasm>

</sarcasm>

No that was quite literal. I had no idea.

 

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cristos71

·Nov 13, 2020

Syrte

No that was quite literal. I had no idea.

Another reason I don't buy from 'Professional Dealers'

I won't pay the excess just for a slick website and glib sales patter without there being any real added value.

 

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Foo2rama

·Nov 13, 2020·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

Syrte

No that was quite literal. I had no idea.

Very few dealers actually service watches. A check/ service is normally is it keeping time?

 

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cristos71

·Nov 13, 2020

Foo2rama

Very few dealers actually service watches. A check/ service is normally is it keeping time?

But what irritates me is that most dealers skirt around the fact that they are basically selling a vintage watch for top money which is in desperate need/need of oiling and servicing with schpeel along the lines of, "The watch has been thoroughly checked and controlled by our Omega certified master watchmaker and blah, blah...."
Which can better be translated as, "It's winding, setting and running. If there's a problem later I'll see what I can do"

 

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Syrte

·Nov 13, 2020

I guess I lucked out, I only bought one watch from a dealer some years ago- but he certified it serviced with a one year warranty. And I once inquired from the dealer Santi Martinez aka Mimandcroket in Barcelona, and he said « of course » the watch was serviced. Mind you he only sells watches which look almost brand new, at very high prices.

 

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Davidt

·Nov 13, 2020

cristos71

But what irritates me is that most dealers skirt around the fact that they are basically selling a vintage watch for top money which is in desperate need/need of oiling and servicing with schpeel along the lines of, "The watch has been thoroughly checked and controlled by our Omega certified master watchmaker and blah, blah...."
Which can better be translated as, "It's winding, setting and running. If there's a problem later I'll see what I can do"

This completely.

There’s always some drivel around “thoroughly checked and keeping time”. No mention of the fact the movement is likely bone dry so you have people, possibly buying their one and only expensive/vintage watch, which they hope to last a lifetime, assuming it’s fine and serviced. In reality they could be doing long term damage to the movement.

Really poor imo.

 

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Syrte

·Nov 13, 2020

The seller in the story below was not Analog Shift - but someone who only sells supposedly « mint » vintage watches, usually large sizes, and very high prices.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-first-bad-experience-after-buying-a-watch.60864/

 

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zwjk

·Nov 13, 2020

I thought “running to COSC spec” means “we don’t really know the service history but it looks OK on the timegrapher, so we won’t do anything to do until you tell us there’s a problem”.

 

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Dan S

·Nov 13, 2020

Syrte

Really? I never realized that. I find it quite extraordinary indeed, considering the prices they charge.

Yes. Sometimes they will do some quick and dirty regulation because they know that a buyer will usually check timekeeping initially. With respect to a 6 month or 1-year warranty, they are generally just playing the odds that the watch will keep working that long and/or the buyer won't bother to return it. If the watch has a problem and the buyer holds them to the warranty, then they will repair/service it.

 

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asrnj77

·Nov 13, 2020

I once listed a watch on consignment with one of these known vintage resellers. After 6 months I asked for my watch back and later sold it on my own. They showed it as “sold” on their website, presumably to encourage future sellers that they’re able to move inventory.