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Fowey River Vintage Watches: Dealer Reviews & Experience
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usasuisse
·This thread has conjecture, assertions, and draws implications from no confirmed facts. Does anyone have first hand knowledge of being duped or defrauded by Fowey River or that this thread was a conspiracy by Fowey River to gain favorable publicity?
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Edward53
·This thread has conjecture, assertions, and draws implications from no confirmed facts. Does anyone have first hand knowledge of being duped or defrauded by Fowey River or that this thread was a conspiracy by Fowey River to gain favorable publicity?
FRW have created an image that some people buy into. As far as I know, they have not told any lies about their watches and are upfront about redials and polishing. What they do is legal and and is neither dishonest or fraudulent. I can't see the word "investment" on their website (I haven't searched it forensically) so they don't seem to be misleading anyone in that respect. They probably have a lot of happy customers who never know any better.
The problems arise if a customer of theirs starts to learn about vintage watch collecting. That's when they find out that they have massively overpaid for their watch with no chance of getting anywhere near their money back. I don't like seeing people taken to the cleaners like this and I certainly take issue with the weasel words "sought after by collectors" when applied to redials, but ignorance is bliss and it's up to buyers to do their research. FRW cannot, however, reasonably expect to get away without some scathing comments on a forum like this one.
I very much doubt that FRW started this thread as they would know that any discussion of them on here is never going to be good for business, but if anyone doubts that the defensive posters aren't them or one of their puppets: to quote a famous man: "If you believe that, you will believe anything".
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Hnansen
·FRW have created an image that some people buy into. As far as I know, they have not told any lies about their watches and are upfront about redials and polishing. What they do is legal and and is neither dishonest or fraudulent. I can't see the word "investment" on their website (I haven't searched it forensically) so they don't seem to be misleading anyone in that respect. They probably have a lot of happy customers who never know any better.
The problems arise if a customer of theirs starts to learn about vintage watch collecting. That's when they find out that they have massively overpaid for their watch with no chance of getting anywhere near their money back. I don't like seeing people taken to the cleaners like this and I certainly take issue with the weasel words "sought after by collectors" when applied to redials, but ignorance is bliss and it's up to buyers to do their research. FRW cannot, however, reasonably expect to get away without some scathing comments on a forum like this one.
I very much doubt that FRW started this thread as they would know that any discussion of them on here is never going to be good for business, but if anyone doubts that the defensive posters aren't them or one of their puppets: to quote a famous man: "If you believe that, you will believe anything".
This.
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Sgt_Bilko
·I actually live nearby in Charlestown, though I have never visited their store due to the comedy price valuations. It is curious that they do not show an address on their website and I once heard they are based in crappy St Blazey, rather than posh Fowey. It might be worth a trip to look at some of their watches and perhaps mention this thread. I can highly recommend the Cornish fudge in Fowey if anybody is visiting.
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new_heuer
·This thread has conjecture, assertions, and draws implications from no confirmed facts. Does anyone have first hand knowledge of being duped or defrauded by Fowey River or that this thread was a conspiracy by Fowey River to gain favorable publicity?
Please can you confirm how many accounts you hold on Omega forums?
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Hnansen
·Just when I thought the owners of Fowey River Vintage Watches couldn't embarrasses themselves further, they surpass my expectations yet again!
Edited:
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usasuisse
·Please can you confirm how many accounts you hold on Omega forums?
Really? Did you check when I joined OF? Do you know anything about me? How does the fact that I bought a watch from Fowey make me a "Fowey alias? "
I have only this one "alias." I am an attorney living in St. Louis Missouri USA, where I was born and raised.
Yes, I am a very happy Fowey customer since 2016. No, Fowey has not asked me to post in this thread. I joined this forum in 2016 as my profile says. What I consider to be a watch of value to me, no matter where bought from, is all that counts. I have bought more of my collection from others than Fowey. Others may disagree with my decision or opinion. Each to his or her own opinion is what counts. The watch pictured above is even more gorgeous in person and importantly it is my birth year.
My pointed question above about whether any accusers had first hand experience, rather than mere assertions or conjecture, with Fowey River was, as I would do for any person or entity, meant to ask for the fairness and fact that each of us on this OF should expect in order to make informed decisions.
Isn't this supposed to be a place to be able to openly share diverse experiences without fear of suppressing different opinions with harsh, attacking, totally unfounded, or condescending posts so that all shared experiences cumulatively grow the knowledge of the OF members? The ladies and gentlemen on OF will leave things where they are or will only further post with factual, respectful, non judgmental posts.
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JwRosenthal
·@usasuisse , I agree with you that it is unfair to throw a broad net of negativity at everyone involved in the support or Fowrey, I believe you are in ernest, a happy customer, and yes-I did look at your profile before I responded.
But as a juris, I’m sure you can also understand the skepticism when a new person posts a claim veiled in a question, then two other new members (signed up same day) chime in to add merit to the claims. It’s a classic sales tactic to generate hype- almost antiquated (Step right up folks, step right up-have you heard about the new Dr. Marvel mystery oil!!). I think this thread has run its course and is only fueling negativity at this point.
But as a juris, I’m sure you can also understand the skepticism when a new person posts a claim veiled in a question, then two other new members (signed up same day) chime in to add merit to the claims. It’s a classic sales tactic to generate hype- almost antiquated (Step right up folks, step right up-have you heard about the new Dr. Marvel mystery oil!!). I think this thread has run its course and is only fueling negativity at this point.
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usasuisse
·Amen to the end of this Thread. Thanks!!
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Grumpycat
·I know someone who bought from them in 2019 and they had a great experience. They said the operations were from their own home - no shop. Anyhow, they seemed legit. I live in Hong Kong and just made a bank transfer to secure a watch to be couriered over.
That was 4 days ago... when i then emailed them to check on tracking, there was no response, where previously Andrew had been very quick on the email... hoping this is not a scam.
That was 4 days ago... when i then emailed them to check on tracking, there was no response, where previously Andrew had been very quick on the email... hoping this is not a scam.
Hi all - I'm a new member to the Omega Forums. Greetings! I've been actively reviewing posts here as I look to purchase my first Omega - this seems to be the premier source of Omega enthusiasts and experts!
I'm looking to purchase a vintage Omega Seamaster, likely a 600. I'm willing to pay top dollar for one that is in excellent condition, something "like-new" in appearance and function. Originality is good, but I'm ok with model-correct replacement parts.
I came across Fowey River Vintage Watches (see link). Has anyone here had a good experience with them or knowledge of them? The price-point does seem high (from my understanding), but they do seem like they've been treated well. I wasn't able to find any info on them here on Omega Forums, and so I thought I'd ask.
I appreciate any insights that you all have. Thank you!
Photo of one of their watches:
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Sgt_Bilko
·I just looked at their website foweyriver.com/home using the link above and found their only means of contact is a gmail address. If you scroll down the page to shop for watches it then links to another website called foweyriverwatches.com where I see a local phone number and a btconnect email address. Have you tried the phone number? They claim to live about 2 miles from me in Charlestown and Fowey is 7 miles. I think they are likely in St Blazey.
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Grumpycat
·I just looked at their website foweyriver.com/home using the link above and found their only means of contact is a gmail address. If you scroll down the page to shop for watches it then links to another website called foweyriverwatches.com where I see a local phone number and a btconnect email address. Have you tried the phone number? They claim to live about 2 miles from me in Charlestown and Fowey is 7 miles. I think they are likely in St Blazey.
Thank you ! Its so frustrating - because I actually know someone who bought from them in 2019 - went to their house and everything! Says her watch is going strong. I was going to give them until today to respond before calling. Fingers crossed. Otherwise i've been scammed big time! I was stupid not to pay by visa because of the exchange rate!
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Sgt_Bilko
·Hopefully this will be quickly resolved with a positive outcome. They should be open for business in about 30 minutes, so I would try calling them. I have known about them for years but never visited or had any contact. I just tried searching for them through the online phone book and I suspect they are ex directory https://www.thephonebook.bt.com
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Grumpycat
·Hopefully this will be quickly resolved with a positive outcome. They should be open for business in about 30 minutes, so I would try calling them. I have known about them for years but never visited or had any contact. I just tried searching for them through the online phone book and I suspect they are ex directory https://www.thephonebook.bt.com
Morning and thank you again. So Andrew got back to me and sent me the DHL email with shipping info saying it got picked up on Tuesday. I got a text this morning saying it's due to arrive in Hong Kong Dec 1st. SO hopefully all is well and there won't be any issues with the watch! They were probably a bit slow sorting out the posting. I guess they are a legit and very small husband and wife run business, hence the website as some people pointed out, isn't that professional. Maybe its a side hobby.
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Sgt_Bilko
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Grumpycat
·Hello @Sgt_Bilko - Yes i did! All in one piece. It was packed properly and came in wooden presentation box with a USB of the images.
Watch was as advertised. So all good! Thanks for asking. I would say they are legit. Although I did ask what work was done (after the package was posted) to the dial as I read it devalues a vintage watch.... but not had a response following.
Watch was as advertised. So all good! Thanks for asking. I would say they are legit. Although I did ask what work was done (after the package was posted) to the dial as I read it devalues a vintage watch.... but not had a response following.
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Sgt_Bilko
·Hello @Sgt_Bilko I would say they are legit. Although I did ask what work was done (after the package was posted) to the dial as I read it devalues a vintage watch.... but not had a response following.
It's generally a good idea to ask in advance if a watch has had the dial restored, but I would hope (naively) that any legitimate seller would specify this in advance. I would personally not want to deal with any seller that routinely sells redialled watches, since original condition is of prime importance.
It sounds like you may be new to vintage watches, but there is a vast amount of knowledge given freely on this forum. If you post images here I imagine some who are far more expert than I would be able to offer an expert opinion.