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Buying used watch advice

M
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
I think that's a reflection. It's just too straight.

Now, that said, in this case only, I think you might want to un-ass the chair and see if you can find something you can hold in your hands and lay eyeballs upon it. Bring a loupe or a hand-magnifier with you. See how tight the bracelet feels. Smell it if you have to.

I, personally, do buy a lot of things from picture only, but I know what my risk is and how to mitigate it. You might too, but maybe not?

this is the original photo. I drew I line around where you can see the phone reflection. Maybe this is what Larry S is seeing?

I get the point with real assessment, but buying this used, it’s not easy to find local at all! Pictures is all I have. Note the strap. I will ask. Any obvious way to tell if it’s stretched via pics?
 
FEF016A7-FDDE-4399-8614-5F2227073A2A.jpeg
Larry S
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
I think that's a reflection. It's just too straight.

Now, that said, in this case only, I think you might want to un-ass the chair and see if you can find something you can hold in your hands and lay eyeballs upon it. Bring a loupe or a hand-magnifier with you. See how tight the bracelet feels. Smell it if you have to.

I, personally, do buy a lot of things from picture only, but I know what my risk is and how to mitigate it. You might too, but maybe not?
Personal experience..took a shot once because I could not get good pics, very old seller. Never again.
 
Larry S
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M Matty1
this is the original photo. I drew I line around where you can see the phone reflection. Maybe this is what Larry S is seeing?

I get the point with real assessment, but buying this used, it’s not easy to find local at all! Pictures is all I have. Note the strap. I will ask. Any obvious way to tell if it’s stretched via pics?
AC1DEA0B-E8B1-4746-A693-0F201DC5E7C7.jpeg

These dots look like they are in the dial, not the crystal, not reflections. Could be wrong but these pics are inconclusive.
 
M
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Larry S Larry S
AC1DEA0B-E8B1-4746-A693-0F201DC5E7C7.jpeg

These dots look like they are in the dial, not the crystal, not reflections. Could be wrong but these pics are inconclusive.
It’s a reflection. See pic below where same dots appear elsewhere
 
3AD7D0A7-AD09-4B4F-8F26-CE3B6C4910BB.jpeg
Larry S
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You may be right …
 
A
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For £800 difference, I personally think this is in the weeds. I have one of these and they are a tough watch. Dial damage, nothing is impossible but very hard to imagine. The buyer is going to wear it and SHOULD there be some damage, which I think is remote, who will ever notice it.

As an EBay sale, is the buyer close enough to do a pickup? Also if the watch is misrepresented then you can return it and arrange a refund. For that difference in price and for the purpose of purchase stated, I would be following up the EBay sale and asking as many questions as you can.
 
M
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A ArmbandUhr69
For £800 difference, I personally think this is in the weeds. I have one of these and they are a tough watch. Dial damage, nothing is impossible but very hard to imagine. The buyer is going to wear it and SHOULD there be some damage, which I think is remote, who will ever notice it.

As an EBay sale, is the buyer close enough to do a pickup? Also if the watch is misrepresented then you can return it and arrange a refund. For that difference in price and for the purpose of purchase stated, I would be following up the EBay sale and asking as many questions as you can.
Thanks for the sound advice. I’m will follow the eBay sale. When you say for the £800 difference, you think it’s in the weeds, what do you mean by that. I’ve not personally heard this expression in this context..

thanks
 
A
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I think £800 is a significant amount of money (could buy a clanker car with a years MOT or a very capable dive watch, just not your brand) so the "in the weeds" comment was to do with the strong feelings about a possible defect that hasn't yet even been confirmed as existing. At a guess, £800 should buy you a service and a new face if required (not up on the prices so potential for error but you would hope not) but you are likely to find it is essentially fine for its age. There is a bit of expectation by some on here about older watches still needing to be as new. As a museum piece, I can understand that but it is quite a common watch and one in just good condition can be a joy to wear.
You don't need this, but anyway, just buy what you like and do not expect to sell it or make anything from it. Enjoy the ownership and if at a point you don't bond with it, sell it for what you can get and be happy with that. The bubble around some brands and models will burst and attention will move on to the next facination so you won't be slitting your wrists sitting on the equivalent of a bitcoin fortune.
 
M
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So, it went through the authentication process via eBay uk and they phoned me to say the case is a replica and will send without the case. Now. I know the case is in good condition, but I don’t believe it’s a replica. See pics

it would be useful to know your thoughts. The seller is 100% saying it’s genuine, been sitting in the outer Box for 20 years!
 
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SkunkPrince
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Looks right to me. Tell 'em they're full of it. That inner tray comes out, by the way. If it doesn't then it might be fake. 😀
 
A
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You are buying the watch in the end, not the case. Can you imagine in a sane world that someone would go to the expense of replicating a presentation case that would normally be discarded after purchase. Sure, some are paying obscene amounts for a case but really!
In my situation, I bought new and the case I got could have belonged to any Omega watch. Generic. There is nothing on it to indicate Seamaster.
There are times when I wonder if the shop just picks up the first emptey case and stuffs it in.
 
redzer007
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I'd say the case is a replica as it's not disintegrating like a legit one would be by now, on that note the card holder looks legit.

Agree on 2 above comments, these watches are rock solid, and you are buying the watch don't sweat the box. But the do cost about 100 Euro.

Love mine, trying to hunt down some not insanely priced pins and collars to refurb the bracelet, but think I actually prefer it on an 1171.

Enjoy when you get it
 
M
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It looks pretty good, he basically said it’s been in the box for 21 years in a drawer. Could be true? I’ve seen some in good condition. Have you seen replicas of this particular case? The watch has everything including original receipt. You think he would do that?
 
redzer007
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Maybe it's just been in a very stable environment, nearly all that I've seen have started peeling. Generally they get stuck to the white outerbox and end up looking like this (image taken from web)

I would not worry about it, but also find it odd that the authentication process pulled it, it's a pretty specific thing to be knowledgeable about, and from what I've seen and read about the process I'm not a fan
Screenshot_20220126-230323.jpg
 
DoctorEvil
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FWIW here's a picture of the box which came with my Seamaster 2551.80 (the midsize version of the one you're considering). It was purchased new in 2005 and the box had been sitting in a drawer since then. Note that the logo says "Swiss made since 1848" and not "World Service Organisation" as on your example. So, I can only suggest that the box being offered to you is a replacement and not the original. However, as others have said, don't sweat the box. It's the watch inside that truly matters. Hope this helps you.
PXL_20220126_230108040.jpg
 
Engee
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Have I missed something? You say there’s an £800 difference but this doesn’t tell us much. Is the eBay one cheap or the right price? Is the shop one the right price or expensive? If the eBay is the right price, and you need to spend money on it, it’s not a good deal. If it’s cheap and you need to spend money on it it’s an ok deal. If it’s cheap and you don’t need to spend money on it it’s a good deal.

Without knowing the asking prices nobody here can tell you whether you’re onto something or should walk away.
 
A
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My box is unmarked after 27 years, expect it depends on where it is stored. Very different box to others shown but the one that came with the watch from new.
Sea_box.jpg


No metal logos on mine, just generic embossed Omega from 1995. I can't see any reason why a box would definitely disintegrate over time, constant handling and damp will kill it though.
 
M
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Engee Engee
Have I missed something? You say there’s an £800 difference but this doesn’t tell us much. Is the eBay one cheap or the right price? Is the shop one the right price or expensive? If the eBay is the right price, and you need to spend money on it, it’s not a good deal. If it’s cheap and you need to spend money on it it’s an ok deal. If it’s cheap and you don’t need to spend money on it it’s a good deal.

Without knowing the asking prices nobody here can tell you whether you’re onto something or should walk away.
I thinks is ok. £2400. Full set including original receipt, buying from original owner.
 
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