The MSRP on this appears to be $5300. I was poking around on the net, and was surprised to see that Walmart and Sears are both listing it for over 30% off.

For fun, I called a local Omega Boutique and asked them how these large companies can sell this model to begin with, and then offer such a steep discount.

They said that these are grey watches, which was explained as inventory sourced from either stores closing or from different countries. He made is clear that they are sometimes fake, but in all cases, would not carry the Omega warranty.

Does the foregoing jive with your understanding of the situation? Further, if one is getting over $1,700 off retail, isn't it worth the risk? Many thanks for your insights.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one "on the street". A little research will ward off the fakes - they're really not hard to spot if you're paying atention. As for the warranty - give me the discount every time on a new watch.

 

you can find them on the secondary market for less than that..

 

Grey market dealers (i.e., not Authorized Dealers) generally get their watches from AD's who are forced to buy more than they an sell in order to remain an AD. They get them at a steep discount, and in turn sell them at a steep, though slightly less steep, discount.

If you go with a reputable one, it'll be an authentic brand new Omega, but without the Omega factory warranty since it was sold by a network retailer (AD or OB).

Most reputable grey market retailers will offer matching warranties.

Someone correct me if my understanding is wrong.

 

by the comments on the post below, I would think the FOIS should be selling at rock bottom prices

https://omegaforums.net/threads/buying-a-new-watch-decision-making.46205/#post-552981

 

I think the best is the mid way path i.e. to buy from the AD or OB and negotiate at decent discount that normally varies from 15 to 22 percent.

 

It's my understanding that OB's are not permitted to discount more than 20% of MSRP.

Not sure about AD's, but I haven't heard of many going lower than that.

Whereas with some reputable grey market dealers, I've been 33%-39%.

 

I've personally taken 22% off at OB. Yes agree they normally go up to 20%. Never bought from grey.

 

similar to "M'Bob" above, i'm wondering how much a NIB 311.33.40.30.02.001 might cost if one were to buy from a secondary source that is reliable? i.e. one of those well reviewed either private sellers, or watch dealers that are not an "official Omega authorized dealers", etc?

the prices seem all over the place!!

 

the asking prices on these are not too far apart..

https://omegaforums.net/threads/bni...edition-311-33-40-30-02-001-le-no-1xxx.47255/

https://omegaforums.net/threads/bni...edition-311-33-40-30-02-001-le-no-2xxx.47254/

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-speedmaster-ck2998-limited-edition-311-33-40-30-02-001.45558/

 

Really? I wonder if different OB's have different policies then? OB here told me they could only discount 2%. And at the time I was prepared to buy the watch (and did shortly thereafter at an AD with a discount). I always thought the policy to not discount at all made little sense, especially when you have AD's in the vicinity who will. OB turns into a showroom only essentially. I would look at the models but never buy if I can save 20-30% at an AD with the exact same warranty. Only reason to buy at OB would be of course it was a boutique only edition.

 

Generally speaking, the [%] discount will vary by the watch model, store location and in some instances on how celestial bodies are aligned at the time of the sale; the other thing to consider is that some models (e.g. some LE) may never go to ADs..