First Time Poster -- Need advice on a listing

crustykneecaps

Good Morning all! I've lurked around these forums and watchuseek before, but this is actually my first post here. I recently graduated, and I have been looking for a Quartz Omega Seamaster 300m 41mm full-size ref.2541.80 as a graduation gift to myself.

I found this listing first on chrono24, so first I did research about that website because I hadn't heard of it until yesterday. What I saw was essentially to try and stay away from private sellers (and this guy is). I contacted him explaining my situation, and he seemed very understanding and has answered all my questions so far. So far here is everything I have gathered (link is at the bottom):

He has also been on eBay since 2014 and is also listing this watch on eBay. He has great reviews and he has sold several watches in the past.

His warranty card checks out as being from a store in Pennsylvania where he claims to live, work, and to have gone to school. The serial number on the card also matches the serial number on the watch. I wanted to call the Jeweler, but COVID-19 -_-

He gave me his Facebook information and a list of a few groups he is in there, like Omega Owners, Dive Watch Owners, etc. which I was able to confirm. He said he is also a member on watchuseek, but not here. And that he has really only been a buyer there, and not much of a poster. He said he bought this watch originally as a graduation gift to himself, and that he is 39 now. Meaning he would have been 21 when he bought the watch, which totally makes sense.

The watch looks to be in good shape and seems authentic from the pictures. I am waiting to hear back from him about its service history.

Lastly as a question to the community, If I were to purchase this watch, would it be safer to do so on Ebay or chrono24? Everything really seems to be in order. Maybe I am just being overcautious?

TLDR; Is this listing the real deal?
Link: https://www.chrono24.com/omega/25418000-seamaster-300m--id15169125.htm

YY77

When I purchased via chrono24 the acknowledgement "the package delivered" was updated automatically, so I wasn't able to inspect it first to confirm it on their site myself. Luckily everything turned out to be genuine.

timecube

Excellent first post, except that it would be really more helpful to OF if you posted the pictures here too, and not just the link. The listing on C24 is ephemeral, and in a week, month, or year's time- will be lost to history.

Foo2rama

Hmm serial is about 4 years earlier which is not really a red flag.

It has a USA warranty card if I read the code right.

crustykneecaps

Thanks for the advice! I’ll make sure to do this in the future. Should I add them to the thread so that the listing and question doesn’t get lost as you mentioned?

tpatta

I think you are covered either way. Chrono24 uses an "escrow service". They don't release the funds until you tell them too (or so I'm told).
eBay has PayPal protection and if you use a credit card for either you should be covered. Looks like a nice example. Good hunting.

timecube

That would be great!

timecube

That would be great!

Jonathan40

If the guy selling has owned it since 2002, can you assume he has had the watch serviced at some time? The listing shows an Omega service red watch pouch and the bag has bracelet pins which I can assume were replaced. He should have a service report for the watch or he has bought a few little things to add to the sales pitch which would arouse suspicion in my eyes. Ask more questions about service history if any, watch does look ok but if no service card from Omega and he has all the original cards and a service pouch I’d be inclined to walk away. Plenty of these watches available. Congratulations on graduating, welcome to the forum and good luck with everything. First proper watch I ever bought myself to commemorate a promotion.

crustykneecaps

I appreciate the congratulations! He responded saying it has never needed any service, so he has never brought it in. I’ve always just assumed that I would likely need to service a used watch that is 18 years old some time soon after purchasing it. Assuming it doesn’t have any glaring issues and runs smoothly, what would the cost to service it look like? Omega’s website lists full service for a quartz watch at about $450. Does this sound reasonable? If so I think I could deal with that. I’ve shared this forum with him so that he can see, and answer any questions risen by the community, so I’ll post updates soon.