I was at the local OB yesterday chatting with my favourite Omega rep. He’s a cool fellow, and as I’m a loyal client (and future prospect for more!) I am able to share openly about my Omega experiences - and disappointments. He gets it, and enjoys talking with the brand faithful. As such, he understood my pining over what should have been a terrific FTF deal on a gently used FOIS this week.

After further torturing myself by trying on Speedys and such, I left, then laughed to myself when I saw this:

 

Thanks for the warning ! I guess I'll purchase only brand new Omega at full sticker price from Omega Boutique from now on.

 

This has been a problem as long as I can remember...for as long as products can be shipped across the world in a short period of time. And the manufactures have always tried scare tactics like this. They truth is for the most part they are the exact same products that the dealer sells and the odds that they are "counterfeit" are slim to none if you know what you are looking for. My first real job in the 70's was running a camera store, and we dealt with this exact issue...all of the camera manufactures gave the exact same warning...but sadly since the products were genuine, they were never declined for service. Manufactures will have to develop new methods to fight this...scare tactics rarely work.

 

My OB does ask where I get some of my pieces and I will happily say eBay or OF. They don't seem to care too much since they know I'm an enthusiast and got a great deal. They actually seem happy and excited to see older/unique pieces. Of course, for more recent LEs like the ST1 and ST2, I did buy from them. You just have to shop smart.

 

That is very interesting signage, what boutique is this if you don't mind divulging that info.

 

Vancouver

 

OOO ... previously worn! That's just nasty! A person might get germs!

 

A previously worn watch is not covered by a warranty, remind me to never by anything from Canada.

 

I'm pretty sure it is BS, as long as you have the punched papers in due form.

 

Damn Canadians!

Oh... hang on... thats me!

I have seen that sign in the local dealer's case (Oakville, Ontario) It didn't bother me at all because my Constellation is one of the newest watches I own and its over 50.

germs and all.

by the way... they accept Canadian and US funds as well as backbacon and beaver pelts.

 

I know, right? Terrible, I tell you. So frightening. Keeps me awake at night.

 

Mmmmm… Backbacon...

 

You forgot maple syrup and Crown Royal rye...mmm!

 

I trust you mean either traditional Crown Royal or their Northern Harvest (which I’m happily drinking as I watch Jarome Iginla’s jersey retired), not the apple or maple-flavoured dreck!

 

Absolutely Northern Harvest! Also recently tried their Limited Edition...damn, that was smooth!

 

I donno with others but I only buy from AD or OB for all my watches. Cant be bothered with headaches specially if Im spending big coin

 

Somewhere I have a bottle of Crown Royal tha t I found when cleaning out my parents house last year. The control board seal on the bottle is dated 1957. While I know it doesn't age in the bottle that has to be some mighty smooth stuff in there.

 

I've seen these sorts of signs all over the world by various makers, it's not just a Canadian quirk. There are many scams out there with sketchy product, no documentation and no idea how many hands the watch passed through. People who are not that much into the watch scene are easy marks.

 

Buying anything used, pre-owned, previously loved etc.. is a crap shoot. Anybody ever buy a used car???