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My First Omega (Finally)

F
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Hi everyone. I’m a brand new member, and am on the cusp of purchasing my first luxury watch. For a decade now I have wanted a Seamaster Planet Ocean, but getting married, buying a home, and having kids has taken priority. Now, it’s time. I should note that at this point in my life the Speedmaster Professional may be my choice since I’m thinking of this watch as a decades long timeless piece that that someday my son will own as a piece of me. Sappy, I know. Point is, I’ve always wanted Omega.


I love only a few miles from a Boutique and have been in. While I believe these timepieces are worth full MSRP, I do have a young family and if given the opportunity to save, I would. I would love someone’s thoughts and guidance on purchasing at a Boutique vs AD vs Grey Market (Jomashop, Etc). I have heard that some ADs offer a slight discount and would love some coaching here as well as if a boutique is the way to go for other reasons.


Thanks in advance for all of your help.


  • FinnsDad
Edited:
 
vbrad26
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AD or buying from a trusted seller will probably be your best bet.
From what I understand, boutiques never really offer much of a discount, if any.
I'd avoid grey market currently unless it is a really good deal, like, more than $1k off MSRP.
I say this because in most cases you do not have a real warranty. If you want to take that gamble, it is up to you. Chances are you'd be fine anyway....but you never know.
But first, make up your mind on which watch you actually want. They are two totally different watches.
The Speedy being more "delicate", but more "iconic" where is the PO would be a little more rugged, and it is what you've wanted for a while.
Something to consider: like you, I have a young family. I bought my Speedy a month before my first daughter was born in '18.
I love it to death. it will always probably be my favorite watch, but I would always stress about banging it up.
I have the hesalite, and I was always very mindful of hitting it on things (or things hitting it). I would always take it off when it was time to give baths.
So I bought another watch that I could set a bomb off next to and not care lol. For you, that could be the PO.
But it really just depends on what you want out of a watch. Have you gone and at least tried them both on?
 
F
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vbrad26 vbrad26
AD or buying from a trusted seller will probably be your best bet.
From what I understand, boutiques never really offer much of a discount, if any.
I'd avoid grey market currently unless it is a really good deal, like, more than $1k off MSRP.
I say this because in most cases you do not have a real warranty. If you want to take that gamble, it is up to you. Chances are you'd be fine anyway....but you never know.
But first, make up your mind on which watch you actually want. They are two totally different watches.
The Speedy being more "delicate", but more "iconic" where is the PO would be a little more rugged, and it is what you've wanted for a while.
Something to consider: like you, I have a young family. I bought my Speedy a month before my first daughter was born in '18.
I love it to death. it will always probably be my favorite watch, but I would always stress about banging it up.
I have the hesalite, and I was always very mindful of hitting it on things (or things hitting it). I would always take it off when it was time to give baths.
So I bought another watch that I could set a bomb off next to and not care lol. For you, that could be the PO.
But it really just depends on what you want out of a watch. Have you gone and at least tried them both on?


Thanks VBrad. I have, and love them both. I work with a lot of Sub wearers, some GMTs and Daytonas. This will be a watch I wear to the office when I go in, and my biggest concern of the PO is it fitting somewhat with a dress cuff. The Speedy, to your point, in so times less and wears so well. 100 years from now it will still be beautiful. I do have fears of the eater resistance and damaging it, even though I’d do the Sapphire Sandwich version.

Jomashop is over 1.5k off of POs at this point. That big of a discount gives me concern.
 
U
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Keep in mind that you are probably less likely to get any sort of discount if using finance. They literally would not budge with me paying 0% over 4 years but I didn’t want to sell out of investments to pay outright. The price of the watch left invested should outperform any savings they could offer.
 
ChronoB
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F FinnsDad2018
Hi everyone. I’m a brand new member, and am on the cusp of purchasing my first luxury watch. For a decade now I have wanted a Seamaster Planet Ocean, but getting married, buying a home, and having kids has taken priority. Now, it’s time. I should note that at this point in my life the Speedmaster Professional may be my choice since I’m thinking of this watch as a decades long timeless piece that that someday my son will own as a piece of me. Sappy, I know. Point is, I’ve always wanted Omega.

I love only a few miles from a Boutique and have been in. While I believe these timepieces are worth full MSRP, I do have a young family and if given the opportunity to save, I would. I would love someone’s thoughts and guidance on purchasing at a Boutique vs AD vs Grey Market (Jomashop, Etc). I have heard that some ADs offer a slight discount and would love some coaching here as well as if a boutique is the way to go for other reasons.


Thanks in advance for all of your help.


  • FinnsDad

I'm with you, always wanting an Omega, and wanting something to pass on to your son. Personally, I would avoid the grey dealer route. I purchased my Speedmaster last year (it was my wife's 20th anniversary gift to me). The Omega boutique did offer a small discount, but it didn't quite get me where I needed to be. I ended up purchasing one from Brad at Brent L. Miller (https://brentmiller.com/collections/omega) based on recommendations at the watchuseek forum. They're an authorized dealer, and Brad was great to work with. I recommend giving him a call.
 
vbrad26
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F FinnsDad2018
Thanks VBrad. I have, and love them both. I work with a lot of Sub wearers, some GMTs and Daytonas. This will be a watch I wear to the office when I go in, and my biggest concern of the PO is it fitting somewhat with a dress cuff. The Speedy, to your point, in so times less and wears so well. 100 years from now it will still be beautiful. I do have fears of the eater resistance and damaging it, even though I’d do the Sapphire Sandwich version.

Jomashop is over 1.5k off of POs at this point. That big of a discount gives me concern.

I think the Speedy will fit in better around the office. And I'm just paranoid about water...people go swimming with their Speedies and it is totally fine.
And I think you're right about having some trouble with the PO fitting under a cuff nicely.
Going the sapphire route will definitely help with potential crystal scratches. Though if you ended up going the hesalite route, Polywatch works great.
I would not necessarily be concerned with a steep discount at Joma.
All that money you save could be put towards a service should something be, or go wrong with the watch.
 
StudebakerHawk
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F FinnsDad2018
Hi everyone. I’m a brand new member, and am on the cusp of purchasing my first luxury watch. For a decade now I have wanted a Seamaster Planet Ocean, but getting married, buying a home, and having kids has taken priority. Now, it’s time. I should note that at this point in my life the Speedmaster Professional may be my choice since I’m thinking of this watch as a decades long timeless piece that that someday my son will own as a piece of me. Sappy, I know. Point is, I’ve always wanted Omega.


I love only a few miles from a Boutique and have been in. While I believe these timepieces are worth full MSRP, I do have a young family and if given the opportunity to save, I would. I would love someone’s thoughts and guidance on purchasing at a Boutique vs AD vs Grey Market (Jomashop, Etc). I have heard that some ADs offer a slight discount and would love some coaching here as well as if a boutique is the way to go for other reasons.


Thanks in advance for all of your help.


  • FinnsDad


Id like to put an AD in the mix.... I just purchased my 300MC from Moyer Fine Jewelers
GREAT service and sale!

Talk to Derek @ Moyer Fine Jewelers in Carmel, IN. (https://www.moyerfinejewelers.com/)
 
F
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Thanks everyone. Some really great points and bits of information here. How would one go about the price convo with an AD?
 
Donn Chambers
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It depends on the AD. The only AD within 100 miles of me is a big chain and they refuse to give a discount. There used to be a local AD that is a family-owned jewelry shop with a long history in the area, and they would give discounts without even asking. All you can do is ask.

And there are plenty of grey market dealers that sell watches with stamped/dated cards that still have the valid Omega warranty. I recently purchased a Seamaster 300 heritage from Crown & Caliber for $1500 off retail and it came with the signed/stamped warranty card dated Sept. 2021. While C&C offers their own 2-year warranty, the Omega warranty is still good for another 4 years, so I would use that if there is an issue.

There are also several trusted dealers on or sales forum who are grey market dealers, and all offer the watches with all boxes/papers.
 
ChronoB
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F FinnsDad2018
Thanks everyone. Some really great points and bits of information here. How would one go about the price convo with an AD?

My advice, which you use at your own risk, is simply to be honest. They may ask you a lot of questions, just to make sure you're not a flipper trying to get a good deal so that you can resell it. Talk about what you're interested in, why you're buying it, what your budget is, and see if they can get you there.
 
F
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So I spoke to a local AD. Omega has pulled their AD status (it’s a Jared’s). The parent company of Jared’s owns the watches and is still able to sell the inventory they have. He stated they can still sign and the warranty would be valid through Omega, just as if they still had their AD status. Can anyone confirm this?
 
Donn Chambers
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F FinnsDad2018
So I spoke to a local AD. Omega has pulled their AD status (it’s a Jared’s). The parent company of Jared’s owns the watches and is still able to sell the inventory they have. He stated they can still sign and the warranty would be valid through Omega, just as if they still had their AD status. Can anyone confirm this?

yes. My favorite local AD had the same thing happen to them. Still has several new Omega watches being sold as new with full warranty, but with a discount.
 
Cenzo
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It was in 2019, but I was thinking along the same lines as you. Visited OB, AD, and even a watch store for a used speedmaster. In the end I wound up purchasing a 1861 from a trusted seller here with a warranty card. It was for $1300 below MSRP at the time. I don't think discounts like that exists anymore. But it was a good deal for me.

As a further note, I took my Speedmaster the day after I got it, and brought it to the OB in Chicago. They could not have been nicer and happily adjusted the bracelet for me, no questions asked. I think I got the best of both worlds with a good price, and a warranty card.

You have to weight the discount vs the experience/warranty.

Good luck - and most important of all, lean on all the fine folks here at Omega Forums for advice. I lurked for a year before pulling the trigger and don't think I would have ever jump in if not for all the info I was able to garner here. The amount of insight you can obtain here is really priceless.
 
guppydriver
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I'm not exactly a great negotiator, but on a PO, I bet you could get 15% off pretty easily from an AD. It's not one of Omega's hot models and there are rumors of an updated version due out sometime soon.

Remember, at Joma you will have to pay your local sales tax. My favorite AD is Toppers in Burlingame CA. I have received discounts on every watch I've purchased there and they don't charge sales tax up front and ship free to your door.

Good Luck on procuring your dream watch soon !

Also, my rule of thumb with gray dealers is if I can find an amazing deal on a watch with an off the shelf movement, I will consider it. I know any shop can service it for a reasonable price, and if something goes wrong, I still come out ahead. However, with higher end horology, I prefer the peace of mind of knowing it's under warranty for 5 years.
 
F
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So……..it’s always been a Seamaster, and mostly PO for me. On my wrist it felt great. It looked great. It was amazing. But the Speedmaster was calling me in a whole different way. The PO was saying “I have an expensive watch on, you should notice that”. The Speedy Sapphire Sandwich was saying “notice….don’t notice….I don’t care, but I know what I have on”. It’s quiet power spoke to me, and here I am…….a lot of money less and one watch to the positive.
 
MDubs
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Congratulations!!! Wear it in great health!! Post pictures when you can.
 
rob#1
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F FinnsDad2018
So……..it’s always been a Seamaster, and mostly PO for me. On my wrist it felt great. It looked great. It was amazing. But the Speedmaster was calling me in a whole different way. The PO was saying “I have an expensive watch on, you should notice that”. The Speedy Sapphire Sandwich was saying “notice….don’t notice….I don’t care, but I know what I have on”. It’s quiet power spoke to me, and here I am…….a lot of money less and one watch to the positive.

Congrats!
9F26E688-1ED1-4CFE-A6A9-FC2A5BE9CD17.jpeg
 
guppydriver
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A wonderfully choice. You’ve bought an absolute icon. I think long term, you will be more satisfied with the speedy.

I have a 3861 sapphire sandwich, and it will never leave my collection.

Wear it in good health and congrats.
 
t268
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vbrad26 vbrad26
AD or buying from a trusted seller will probably be your best bet.
From what I understand, boutiques never really offer much of a discount, if any.
I'd avoid grey market currently unless it is a really good deal, like, more than $1k off MSRP.
I say this because in most cases you do not have a real warranty. If you want to take that gamble, it is up to you. Chances are you'd be fine anyway....but you never know.
But first, make up your mind on which watch you actually want. They are two totally different watches.
The Speedy being more "delicate", but more "iconic" where is the PO would be a little more rugged, and it is what you've wanted for a while.
Something to consider: like you, I have a young family. I bought my Speedy a month before my first daughter was born in '18.
I love it to death. it will always probably be my favorite watch, but I would always stress about banging it up.
I have the hesalite, and I was always very mindful of hitting it on things (or things hitting it). I would always take it off when it was time to give baths.
So I bought another watch that I could set a bomb off next to and not care lol. For you, that could be the PO.
But it really just depends on what you want out of a watch. Have you gone and at least tried them both on?

AD makes the most sense for price and piece of mind IMO. Then again, if you’re eyeing a watch on the grey market if it doesn’t have a lot of complications, if there was some defect that needed fixing not long after purchasing, the cost of repair with an independent WM might be significantly less than the difference in cost. Let’s say you spent 5k on a watch grey that was 6500 at an AD. If you had a 300 repair in 5 months, you still saved 1200. The more complicated the watch, the more expensive to fix. So I would only use this logic on a time only or time/date watch.

Best of luck and welcome to the rabbit hole.
 
64Wing
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F FinnsDad2018
So……..it’s always been a Seamaster, and mostly PO for me. On my wrist it felt great. It looked great. It was amazing. But the Speedmaster was calling me in a whole different way. The PO was saying “I have an expensive watch on, you should notice that”. The Speedy Sapphire Sandwich was saying “notice….don’t notice….I don’t care, but I know what I have on”. It’s quiet power spoke to me, and here I am…….a lot of money less and one watch to the positive.
Pics or it didn't happen 😎
 
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