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Has ayone bought from the Fine watch club in Norwich UK?

Dan S
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O Omega Baby
Fine Watch Club seem to specialise in Omegas and I have purchased a Constellation from them.
You will pay over the odds, but they are trustworthy.
Some people think that they redial the black faced dials, but if they do, they do such a great job, you just can't tell.
I don't know why some collectors don't like re-dialed watches, after all, people buy classic cars and spend ££££££ on having them restored, and they like boasting about it.

People think they redial many of their watches because they actually say that the watches are repainted right in the listing. And maybe you can't tell, but many of us can.

Watches aren't cars, and watch collectors value originality. There's no point in asking "why", it's just a fact. If you are happy paying top dollar for a shiny polished watch with a re-painted dial that a collector would never touch, then that's fine, it's your money. Just understand that if you ever decide to sell it (and regardless of what you think, almost all watches are sold eventually), you will take a bath. And if you gradually become a more knowledgeable collector, the watch will probably interest you less and less. If you want a clean shiny watch, you might as well buy a new "re-issue" watch made in the vintage style.
 
Peemacgee
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O Omega Baby
Where on earth is Naaach?

You missed an aaaarrrr out of naaaaarch
2DD4BE4A-A9FE-4E30-93AD-B023BD559860.jpeg


And pics of your Constellation please.
 
MRC
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O Omega Baby
Where on earth is Naaach?

Despite your miss-representation of the local pronunciation of Norwich the OF "nuke em from orbit" satellite is targeting 52° 37' 51'' N 1° 17' 50'' E

None of the watchmakers I use live near there. I did have a crystal replaced in Naaarch once though. Didn't get the rehaut of my Carrera lined up properly 🙁


Hope the blast doesn't wreck Snetterton. I have fond memories of Snetterton.
 
O
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Oh Naaaaarch, I went there once to see QPR play them. A Naaaaarch forward missed an open goal and the Bishop of Naaaaarch jumped up from his seat and shouted Fffffffffffolly folly folly.
 
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Peemacgee
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A good looking watch but then again, what’s not to like about a black dialled dogleg Connie on an early BOR?

To the man in the street, the dial looks perfectly correct but to the collector it’s very obvious that it’s not.
This shouldn’t spoil your enjoyment of the watch it just irks that the sellers can command premium prices for something that is not original.
However, if you bought it knowing it was redialled and it’s worth it to you, that’s all that matters in the end.
 
inchpincher
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O Omega Baby
Oh Naaaaarch, I went there once to see QPR play them. A Naaaaarch forward missed an open goal and the Bishop of Naaaaarch jumped up from his seat and shouted Fffffffffffolly folly folly.

Any more modern pictures on your wrist because that’s the same hand as the dealer in question...? 😉
 
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O
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Yes it is the same hand and I've no intention of putting it on to take a picture.
This business about watches not being original is ridiculous, I took my Omega 53 Fat Arrow to my watchmaker and asked him to re-lume the hands. He said if he does that it will de-value the watch. I said, I've had that watch for 50 years and it will never be sold, so get on with it.
The 53 is on my hand.
 
IMG_20200229_165153_resized_20200229_045248902.jpg
Socks
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inchpincher inchpincher
Any more modern pictures on your wrist because that’s the same hand as the dealer in question...? 😉


Where are you? Let's be avin you!
 
andyrattle
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Im in Norwich and in the market for an Omega, thats how i found this thread and this group whilst googling the shop. Dont know whether to visit or not now as im not an expert, may as well take a punt on ebay
 
JimInOz
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andyrattle andyrattle
............................... im not an expert, may as well take a punt on ebay

Yep, what could possibly go wrong there?
 
JimInOz
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PS: Make sure you check here before you commit to anything on eBay.
 
O
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DJG2645 DJG2645
Dear Forum,

I am a newbie and looking for my first vintage Seamaster, I have been doing tons of research and want to make my first vintage Omega watch one to keep forever and always remember (for good reasons).

The above seller has reasonable range of Omega's so thought I would reach out and see. They don't have a website but are a trusted seller on Chrono24 - not sure how valid that makes them.

Best wishes,
Dave

David,
They do have a website> www.finewatchclub.co.uk
They are a bit more expensive than standard eBay prices, but you would expect that from a bricks and mortar shop.
You should go along and speak to them and don't be afraid to ask deep questions such as, where do you source your watches.
Also find out about service history.
If you buy from them on eBay and something goes wrong after one month, you're not covered unless the shop offer their own warranty.
If you buy from them direct, you might be able to get a discount, as they would not have to pay eBay's commission.
Having looked at their website, they do have a very nice selection of Omegas.
Good luck.
Omega Baby
 
j_leb
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If only I had read the opinions above of some more experienced collectors, before my recent encounter...

I purchased a vintage Constellation in steel from the so called "fine watch club" earlier in the year.
All was going well until 4 weeks into ownership, when the watch stopped running.

I took it to a qualified Omega technician around where I live, who advised the movement had been transplanted into the watch and was not original for that reference. The case pre-dated the movement reference by 13 years and was a terrible mix and match of parts. Further to this, the dial was re-finished, the case had been polished and plated with some chrome type material, to cover areas where rust had begun to corrode the case.

I approached the the man who sold me the watch, who said he couldn't guarantee any of what I said and suggested the watch maker didn't know what he was on about. He also suggested that maybe I tampered with the watch which is why there were these issues and said not to bother contacting him again.

Needless to say, it was a horrid experience and I have learned who to trust and who not.
I hope the next enthusiastic and budding collector reads my story, before being scammed.
 
Peemacgee
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j_leb j_leb
If only I had read the opinions above of some more experienced collectors, before my recent encounter...

I purchased a vintage Constellation in steel from the so called "fine watch club" earlier in the year.
All was going well until 4 weeks into ownership, when the watch stopped running.

I took it to a qualified Omega technician around where I live, who advised the movement had been transplanted into the watch and was not original for that reference. The case pre-dated the movement reference by 13 years and was a terrible mix and match of parts. Further to this, the dial was re-finished, the case had been polished and plated with some chrome type material, to cover areas where rust had begun to corrode the case.

I approached the the man who sold me the watch, who said he couldn't guarantee any of what I said and suggested the watch maker didn't know what he was on about. He also suggested that maybe I tampered with the watch which is why there were these issues and said not to bother contacting him again.

Needless to say, it was a horrid experience and I have learned who to trust and who not.
I hope the next enthusiastic and budding collector reads my story, before being scammed.


This is a pretty poor show by the seller.

Pictures of the watch in question and the movt would be a useful illustration of the issues you’ve suffered.
 
j_leb
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I will certainly go back and ask the watch maker if he can provide me with pictures to substantiate the above.
I sold the watch to him as he said certain parts could be salvaged and re-used to restore other vintage pieces appropriately.
Overall I lost £650, but learnt a lesson worth a lot more than money lost.
 
andyrattle
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I guess its too late now you have moved the watch on, but is there no action you could have taken against the retailer, mis described goods, not fit for purpose or something? The point of paying a premium at a dealer is you should have some kind of guarantee? Just thinking aloud....
 
Spruce
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That’s pretty terrible. Someone else asked if anyone had heard anything about the FWC in Norwich but apart from commenting on prices I hadn’t.
 
Davidt
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Just being objective here, we really need pictures of the watch you sold (either from their website or any you may have) to substantiate the issues put forward by your watchmaker.
 
zeezyv3
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Sorry to hear sounds horrid.
Coincidentally I have been watching a few watches from the seller on eBay as he has a good collection of Cosmics which I am after. Know to steer well away now especially with that sort of customer after care.
Would be good to see any photos
 
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