Need some assistance on Seamaster 2531.80 purchased from eBay

Hey guys,

I finally landed the exact 2531.80 I was holding out for:

- Full set
- One owner
- Red dot in place so it was never opened
- Never polished

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Seam...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

The issue is that eBay is now having the seller send the watch to a 3rd party for authentication. I guess this is a new policy of some sort to protect buyers. Half the reason I bought the watch was because I knew it had never been tampered with and the bracelet was never even taken off, so I know the lug holes are good. Obviously when they authenticate, they will open the case back. My intentions were to send directly to Omega for service after I received it. I told the seller that I do NOT want this going to a 3rd party - I mean I can think of many things that can go wrong.

The seller contacted eBay and they were pretty adamant that this goes to the 3rd party for authentication first, but said he had to option to bypass it if that's what I really wanted. If I chose to bypass it then there is no re-course to ebay for either party if there is a problem with the transaction (lost or damaged item, problems with the item itself etc).

I did pay via Paypal, so I assume I would be covered via Paypal for any issues (i.e, fake, damaged, etc). My gut tells me that there are no issues and I've spoken to the seller. He seems like a stand up guy. What would you guys do here? Send to a 3rd party? In this case it would be going here http://www.americaswatchmaker.com/


Appreciate any insight!

That looks like a sweet NOS watch.

From what little I've read, that authentication process is pretty good, and one would hope that since some poor guy is sitting at a desk and probably doing 40 watches an hour, he (or she) is getting pretty good at removing and replacing backs without damaging the watch.

I'm with Meme, if you were planning to send it to Omega anyway, then it won't hurt if someone else pops off the back. And if (fingers crossed) it does turn out to be a fake, then you are protected. It might be a tougher sell if you try to work through PayPal after refusing authentication.

I don't see where eBay Authentication opens up the caseback:

• Multi-point Inspection and Authentication Card: Upon receiving the watch, the independent authenticator confirms the item is consistent with the listing title, description, and images, then performs a multi-point physical authentication inspection is performed, focusing on assessment of the crown, bezel, dial, case, clasp/buckle, hands, end links and serial number. Finally, a security tag is attached to the watch.

All watches verified as authentic come with an Authenticity Guarantee card detailing information such as the brand, model, reference number, movement type, case material, bracelet type, and serial number, as applicable.

How can it be NOS when the description says there are scratches on the bracelet from wearing the watch at a desk? 🤦

FWIW - I took delivery of a crispy (but not NOS) Speedmaster that went through the authenticity check. A few interesting comments:

- The check happened really fast. Tracking indicates that the watch left the watchmaker the same day it arrived.

- The seller listed the watch as a 145.022 ST 78, but the serial and caseback photo pointed to a 145.022-76. The authenticity check card also reported 145.022-76, so I suspect the case back may have been opened.

- Although the seller listed the movement serial number, the authenticity card simply listed "N/A"

- The watch arrived in the condition I expected it. I didn't note anything that seemed out of place from the seller's photos (which I had saved separately for review)

As a buyer, and based on this one experience, I'm see the risk / concern, but for me, there were some benefits which shouldn't be overlooked (someone checks that the watch is at least in the realm of what the seller said it was, seller has to hand over the goods, there is a return / refund avenue).