Lessons Learned

I have one recent memory when dealing with a seller who's primary language spoken was not the same as mine. This resulted in me getting a watch that ran for about 3 hours and then suddenly wouldn't.

What ended up happening was the seller performed a service on the watch (amateur watchmaker) and lost one of the movement retaining screws, but said it didn't impact the watches function. However, what I didn't realize is that screw was lost INSIDE the movement, and ended up jamming the gear train. It was an easy fix by my watchmaker, but I could have asked for more clarity and known ahead of time. In my excitement of find the watch I sort of rushed the vetting process which resulted in this happening.

Over the course of your collecting journey, have you ever rushed into a purchase or failed to ask a question that resulted in you receiving a watch that didn't exactly live up to your expectations?

I believe it makes a great difference whether the buyer has the abilities to attend to potential problems himself/herself or not. And whether detailed knowledge is present about the object of desire or not. In the first cases one can take risks.

I recently purchased a Russel & Son wristwatch, which was described as not running but free spinning balance. Obviously it would not have made sense to ask the seller (who was not in watch making or repair) for a specific fault. Since the price was essentially the gold scrap value, I bought it and after having it in the hands found out that the escape wheel pinion of the Buser movement had broken. Research gave that this wheel was obtainable as NOS for less than 10€ , and after replacement the watch ticked happily in all positions, although still a full service needs to be done (low amplitude).

What I have learned is to assume that a watch at least needs a full service, if it is described as running and no clear statement is made as to a recent full service. And to consider this for appropriate pricing, if I intend to use the watch ("worst case scenario"). That a full service by myself as an amateur is free of (significant) costs is not my fault 😉.

Often it is more relevant what is not stated, than what is stated. If a description is a mere "runs, condition see photos", I assume that serious faults are present and that the watch runs perhaps a few minutes only, if at all.

The knowledge aspect is quite relevant, because many sellers misrepresent their selling good, either intentionally, or due to lack of knowledge. In both cases asking typically does not help further. One needs to inform in details prior to making a purchase decision.

Cheers, Bernhard

P.S.: The screw issue really is funny. I imagine the amateur watch repairer creeping around on the floor with a magnet for hours, searching for the lost screw in the belief that it had fallen down and not into the movement 😁 Ask from what this imagination comes ... 😎