"Full set" but the serial number on the papers is different from the watch

I recently purchased an SMP 300 2531.80 from a trusted seller here in Canada. The watch came with the supposedly original box and papers. The watch itself is in excellent condition but there is no service history. The box and the papers on the other hand look quite aged. After receiving it, I looked at the serial number printed on the warranty and chronometer card, and to my surprise, it didn't match the serial number of the watch case. I immediately took it to my watchmaker (a very professional person with an Omega parts account) and he told me that the watch looks genuine and thankfully the serial number of the movement matches the serial number on the case. He also told me that it didn't appear to be recently serviced when he put it to the timegrapher but is running "okay" and that in a year or two it might require a service.

I asked the seller about the mismatch between the papers and the watch since it was advertised as a full set and he told me that he didn't think of checking the serial numbers since he acquired the set from a highly trustable source. He said he would never advertise it as such and offered either to return it for a full refund or get a small discount to compensate for this error. Anyway, I decided to keep the watch since it's in near-mint condition for its age but I asked for a small refund (on the already fair price) for the mismatch.

The way I see it there are two possible explanations for this:
- The obvious one is that someone along the resale chain tried to make it a "full set"
- Or it was indeed purchased originally with the wrong papers (maybe an exhibition watch that got sold with a leftover box? I don't even know if that's possible)

Is the latter case something that could happen back then? The warranty card states that it was sold on 24/12/2000. The two serial numbers are very close with the number on the watch being slightly older than the one on the papers. Below are pictures of the warranty card and the serial number on the watch case. I googled the numbers and they don't yield any results so that's a good sign (in terms of being fake etc).

I'm wondering if there is a way to know if these two numbers were sold from the same AD. Anyway, any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated 😀

Don’t think there’s any way for anyone here to tell you how this happened or whether the watches sold from the same AD 24 years ago. It’s odd that the previous seller/s didn’t catch this.

If I had to guess (and I see now that Dan just wrote the same basic thing), I’d say a previous owner got caught up in the general premise of a “full set” without fully grasping the, um, nuances, and bought the box and cards for the same model off eBay.

It’s actually a good case-in-point for that dead horse I’ve been beating about boxes and papers shouldn’t matter when it comes to modern references like this that are out of warranty anyway. Glad the seller refunded you whatever silly premium was charged.

The watch looks authentic in the photos you posted, and it sounds like you’ve got a knowledgeable watchmaker who verified it. If I were you (for the little this is worth) I’d send it to Omega/Swatch when it’s time for service—not to your local watchmaker. Omega will return the watch to you with a fresh 2-year warranty and a service pouch. That’s a set of papers and “box” that will have real value, and the numbers on the card will be correct. If you go to sell the watch during that warranty period, you’ll probably be able recoup some of the cost of the service itself. But even better, you’ll have a freshly serviced watch and the full comfort of knowing it’s authentic.

Thank you all for your input, I appreciate it!

Yeah, the whole "trusted but not checking something so basic" situation doesn't scream professionalism at best. I think the original asking price ($2200 USD) was fair even without papers for this condition. I got about $100 back for this error. I didn't care much about the box and papers for this watch (it's a modern reference with Superluminova lume so not very collectible). The condition of the watch drew me to buy it.


Speaking of the Omega service. I was wondering about this the other day. I don't have experience using their service program but from what I can tell by reading online they are very generous in replacing any movement parts that are deemed not to be in excellent condition and this is included in their basic price. So I was wondering, for these modern watches is there any reason for not waiting for the watch to either perform very poorly (beyond your acceptance level) or completely stop before sending it to them for service? I mean by waiting longer you're risking putting wear on parts that will be replaced by them anyway. I'm only saying this because people usually recommend a service every 5 years but it seems excessive if the watch still performs well and the Omega service will bring it back to great condition anyway.

Right an official service will involve a total overhaul and cleaning and replacement of worn parts—all included in the basic price. They sometimes return the replaced parts to you.

The main reason not to wait (to my mind) is if you plan to expose the watch to water: over time gaskets dry out and water can intrude. If your watchmaker pressure tested it and it passed, then no worries. But if you’re not sure, I’d get it serviced sooner, especially if you don’t know the history, and it’s possible it’s never been serviced before. It’s worth the couple hundred bucks and the couple-month wait.

Yeah, that's a very good point! Thanks a lot for the information 😀

I paid $1370 for sevice with five month wait ,last year,

Did you happen to ask them to replace the bezel and/or the crystal by any chance? Because I think these two and the dial are charged extra. Also, did you know about this quoted price before proceeding with the service or they just told you the cost at the end when you received it? I'm just wondering how the serving process with them works.

Thanks for the photo with the stickers! Now I know now what this sticker is (I couldn't find a similar warranty card example before). Inside the box, there was also the chronometer warranty card with the serial number printed (as opposed to being handwritten or as a sticker) which can indicate that the papers belong to a different watch. I think this card should also be included in a set in order to be called "full set".

Thanks a lot for checking the serial numbers Al, I appreciate it! 😀

If you change the bezel, the cristal goes with it. They change the all thing.

They told the price before. If a surprise happens they must ask you if ok before doing any change that will bump up the price. Anyway I can't see why you would serviced it for the moment.

For your card. Simple. A watch whiteout papers. A box and a empty card/papers bought on internet and a guy who wrote any date matching the numbers proxy date. Happens frequently ; again to bump up the price. The seller didn't saw that the numbers didn't match, yes of course..... 😀

I meant Omega change the all rotating bezel if you want for 300. So the sapphire crystal with it.

But you'r right, you can change only the aluminium part. Don't know the price, never had to that myself.

Maybe because that's not what I'm saying ?