Is Catawiki reliable for genuine Omega? Are these pix real or fake?

Comehither · Nov 15, 2016

Bond planet ocean:
https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels...tm_nooverride=1&utm_term=textlink&utm_swu=283

Vintage:
https://auction.catawiki.com/kavels...tm_nooverride=1&utm_term=textlink&utm_swu=283

cristos71 · Nov 15, 2016

Like anywhere else due diligence is always required. I can't say I've seen any fakes there but I have seen numerous vintage frankenwatches and I'm pretty sure it's a shiller's paradise.

Finrod Felagund · Nov 15, 2016

From my experience you can buy the very best on catawiki.
However as Cristos stated it has also many frankens in the vintage category.

I consider it a safe place as money goes through catawiki and is blocked 14 days, time for you to check what you received.

So called experts do not guarantee anything regarding the originality of the watch but at least they should spot a fake.
There expertize is only made from seller pictures and his expectations.

I bought a few watches on catawiki and never had major problem, but indeed you have to do your homework before pulling the triger, which might be difficult sometime as there's no direct contact with seller.

Willem023 · Nov 15, 2016

I must be the odd one out, but in general, you get more responses, when a few pics are added.
And I like pics.
And I hate to need to forward-click to eBay.

Edit: or some other site.

Or, to put it more eloquently

Cheers!
W

Comehither · Nov 15, 2016

Yeah that is one problem, you can't ask follow up questions of the seller, eg for the serial number, and the website is quite slow to respond to queries. For the Bond planet ocean for example, you can compare the pictures to a real one easily online, but that's not likely not possible vintage.

Syrte · Nov 15, 2016

i've seen numerous undisclosed redials and the "expert" never responded to a question. (Not to mention their often utterly ridiculous estimates, which sometimes double up as reserve prices).

Finrod Felagund · Nov 15, 2016

Syrte
i've seen numerous undisclosed redials and the "expert" never responded to a question. (Not to mention their often utterly ridiculous estimates, which sometimes double up as reserve prices).

That's very true!

They act as commercial more than experts.
When a seller give his price for a watch they just go way beyond in their estimate for making you think you're getting a bargain...

That sounds more like sale strategy than expertise.

Comehither · Nov 15, 2016

Willem023
I must be the odd one out, but in general, you get more responses, when a few pics are added.
And I like pics.
And I hate to need to forward-click to eBay.

Edit: or some other site.

Or, to put it more eloquently

Cheers!
W

here are pix of Omega Bond Casino Royale Planet Ocean

Comehither · Nov 15, 2016

here are pix of a seasmaster vintage 1969

Comehither · Nov 15, 2016

and finally of a women's vintage 1950s - don't see any markings on the back

Comehither · Nov 16, 2016

anyone able to tell if these 3 are genuine?

Finrod Felagund · Nov 16, 2016

they all look genuine but as told before doesn't mean they are 100% original

PO looks OK with cal.2500, but can't tell more about the 2 vintages without a picture of the movement.

Comehither · Nov 16, 2016

Great, thanks Finrod, given I have already 'won' them in an auction, that's enough confidence for me to go ahead and pay Catawiki. I will send pix of the vintages when I receive them.

Finrod Felagund
they all look genuine but as told before doesn't mean they are 100% original

PO looks OK with cal.2500, but can't tell more about the 2 vintages without a picture of the movement.

Finrod Felagund · Nov 17, 2016

I'm not expert in any way so my best advice is pay Catawiki now and as soon as you received the watches take some pictures of it.

With those pictures many members here will be able to confirm originality of your watches.

If anything goes wrong you'll be able to contact Catawiki and open a case and they won't pay the seller before it is settled.

H.S. · Dec 9, 2018

I totally agree with you, Finrod Felagund, that they (expert-auctioneers) act as commercial more than experts. I can only hope that the situation with watches is not as bad as it is with jewelry and gemstones (although most likely it is the same). Those so-called experts are totally unable to distinguish fake from real. Recently I read an interesting article on smartshoppingschool.com, and it perfectly describes and proves how useless those "experts" are. Unbelievable!

H.S. · Dec 9, 2018

Here is the link for those who want to find out more: https://www.smartshoppingschool.com/catawiki-online-auction-safe-haven-for-fake-jewelry/

Rochete · Dec 9, 2018

Catawiki "estimates" rely solely on what the seller "estimates". So called "experts" just add plus minus 20% and there you have a range. It's utter bollocks.

Mark020 · Dec 9, 2018

Catawiki is a joke

cristos71 · Dec 9, 2018

Catawiki very regularly holds what it likes to call an "Exclusive Marriage" watch auction, what in actuality should be called a "Ukrainian Frankenmonster" watch auction.

The auction is entirely comprised of re-cased pocket watch movements being shilled up to ridiculous amounts and sold off to the naive and unwary.

I have had some correspondence with an "expert" or two ( and I use the term "expert" very lightly here ) from Catawiki a while back and there were two important things that struck me. The first is they are very aware of what they are doing regarding the selling of fake and franken watches and the second is they really don't care.

It is a hive of deceptive practices, dodgy sellers and shill bidders operated by an "auction house" with very low morals and scruples.

Buyer beware!

omegastar · Dec 9, 2018

Moreover some of the so called experts are watch traders and they sell their watches on Catawiki, so their integrity is very questionable.