Omega AD gave me a watch straight out the display cabinet with no stickers

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

Hello Guys,

my first ever post...here it goes...

I just purchased my first luxury Omega watch today. I purchased the Seamaster 300M Professional in the black dial and steel bracelet version. The store I purchased the watch from is an AD for Omega therefore I know there isn't a lot to worry about. However, I wanted to know if this is normal (as this is my first luxury watch) the AD staff and manager boxed the watch that I tried on from the display cabinet, they didn't bring a 'fresh' watch from the back and box it up. The watch from the display cabinet was the watch I got. I'm worried that a lot of people have handled that watch, the manager said this is standard practice when a watch is brought the one the customer tries on is their watch. My watch currently doesn't have the stickers on the bracelet, case back, clasp or watch face (pretty much no stickers). I sort of wanted the privilege of the stickers (that might not make sense to alot of people)...is this normal or is it something I need to worry about? or am I over thinking this?

Thank you all in advance

DrBarot

Walrus · Oct 9, 2021

I don’t think saying your point “makes no sense at all” is correct. I mean you went to an AD and bought a new watch I think the premium you paid it makes sense to expect everything new, stickers etc. I’m curious about the answers you get I have never bought from an AD but if I did I would prefer something being brought out in its box I just don’t know how common what you experienced is.

STANDY · Oct 9, 2021

Might have been the only one they had. No drama.
Stickers come off anyway.

Any watch could have been handled.

3nicewatches · Oct 9, 2021

I have bought 2 watches from manufacturer boutiques and 2 from ADs. It’s normal, and while there are many things we all should be worrying about right now, the absence of stickers on a new watch is definitely not one of them.

Caliber561 · Oct 9, 2021

Watches are lightly handled by people before and after they're stickered. As long as it hasn't been worn, I see no issue.

Edit: +1 that this is normal.

Donn Chambers · Oct 9, 2021

Every watch I have purchased from the AD has come from the display case. I don’t know where this idea came from that dealers keep $5-10K watches in display cases for people to try on, then then pull a fresh one from the back when you buy it.

Have you ever bought a new car from a dealer? After the test drive and you decide you want it, do they bring one with 0 miles on the odometer from the back?

ducatiti · Oct 9, 2021

Do other watches in the case have stickers and plastic?

fc3861 · Oct 9, 2021

Welcome to the family DrBarot! I hope you enjoy the wealth of information that can be found on this site.

I'm based in the USA and have experience purchasing both from an actual Omega Boutique (OB) and a jewelry store Authorized Dealer (AD). Knowing that the watch wearing/purchasing public at large is a shrinking group, I can't imagine that most small local jeweler/ADs would carry more than one example of a particular model in stock unless it was a really hot seller. Especially, since they can get pretty much any of the run-of-the-mill models shipped to them within a few days direct from the Omega distributor. Therefore, I would absolutely expect that any watch you try on in their case is the one you would get if you decide to purchase. Obviously, it would look silly to have a bunch of watches in a display case with all of the protective shipping stickers still on them. You would not be able to really examine the watch. Now, if they do order one in for you from Omega, it will arrive with all of the stickers intact. Maybe you could request that they order you a "fresh" one instead of taking the one from the display case.

As far as the OB's go, it is possible they may have several copies of a particular model in stock and they will bring one out of stock in the back if they have it as opposed to giving you the one from the case. But, definitely expect to pay full list price in this setting.

Good luck with your new Seamaster!

ckhaing · Oct 9, 2021

technically, display item is not the brand new, but you are the first owner though

same thing with the cars, in-stock on the ground items are test driven for a few dozen miles, but the first owner

i have my own share of store demo / floor demo being sold at full MRSP (sort of being sucker), as well as a speedmaster right out of the OB vault next day after it arrived (sort of by luck)

several years ago, i was sold a gmt master and another time a speedmaster highly suspicious of customer return sold as brand new, but i took it anyway

i have let known that sales associates meticulously putting the sticker back on to the demo watch

i guess it all depends on how soon do you want

as long as the warranty kicks from the day of purchase, i really do not worry

Evitzee · Oct 9, 2021

I've bought my fair share of new watches from ADs over the years, most don't have the stickers on them, but they may have the watch head wrapped in plastic that they do in the store to avoid any major marks on the case when they remove them nightly and put in the safe. Most people who buy a new watch want to see it without all the stickers on. I'm afraid the latest idea that a watch must have the stickers on to be 'new' goes along with the fad that you absolutely need the outer brown cardboard box and the coffin, too, to make it a new watch. Just enjoy your watch.

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

STANDY
Might have been the only one they had. No drama.
Stickers come off anyway.

Any watch could have been handled.

Thank you soo much for you reply, i know its a first world problem....I've never brought a luxury watch before so wasn't sure if thats standard practice. from all the replies on here i can see it's normal practice

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

3nicewatches
I have bought 2 watches from manufacturer boutiques and 2 from ADs. It’s normal, and while there are many things we all should be worrying about right now, the absence of stickers on a new watch is definitely not one of them.

I know this is a first world problem, just didnt know if having no stickers on an expensive watch was normal, because my Seiko and Orient came with stickers on and they are fraction of the price....this is my first luxury piece so wanted some insight from folks in the know

Thank you for your reply

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

ducatiti
Do other watches in the case have stickers and plastic?

Thank you for your reply

Nope all the watches in the case were un-stickered....from all the replies i think its normal to have the watch from the display cabinet. Just worrying for nothing because its my first ever watch over 2K

Gixnic · Oct 9, 2021

OP, I’m curious, did your watch have the plastic cover on the caseback?

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

fc3861
Welcome to the family DrBarot! I hope you enjoy the wealth of information that can be found on this site.

I'm based in the USA and have experience purchasing both from an actual Omega Boutique (OB) and a jewelry store Authorized Dealer (AD). Knowing that the watch wearing/purchasing public at large is a shrinking group, I can't imagine that most small local jeweler/ADs would carry more than one example of a particular model in stock unless it was a really hot seller. Especially, since they can get pretty much any of the run-of-the-mill models shipped to them within a few days direct from the Omega distributor. Therefore, I would absolutely expect that any watch you try on in their case is the one you would get if you decide to purchase. Obviously, it would look silly to have a bunch of watches in a display case with all of the protective shipping stickers still on them. You would not be able to really examine the watch. Now, if they do order one in for you from Omega, it will arrive with all of the stickers intact. Maybe you could request that they order you a "fresh" one instead of taking the one from the display case.

As far as the OB's go, it is possible they may have several copies of a particular model in stock and they will bring one out of stock in the back if they have it as opposed to giving you the one from the case. But, definitely expect to pay full list price in this setting.

Good luck with your new Seamaster!

Thank you for the warm welcome! I totally understand not having plastic on display pieces but wasn't sure if this is normal to have one that is your newly purchased watch to be the display watch. however from what i've read on this thread its totally normal. I really appreciate you taking time out to reply and put my mind at ease

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

G Gixnic
OP, I’m curious, did your watch have the plastic cover on the caseback?

I think it did, with a orange sticker I think

im not worried about the authenticity of the product I know they are a AD for Omega...how come you ask?

lcolors1 · Oct 9, 2021

I purchased my SMP through jomashop and they next day aired it to me from Brooklyn to the west coast. I received it two days ago fully stickered brand new with everything. (I didn’t know the inside of the box opened as well) to my surprise their was a nice little bag and something else. It was nice to be able to pull the stickers off. I love how this blue dial changed colors and the depth is much nicer than the previous generations.

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

ckhaing
technically, display item is not the brand new, but you are the first owner though

same thing with the cars, in-stock on the ground items are test driven for a few dozen miles, but the first owner

i have my own share of store demo / floor demo being sold at full MRSP (sort of being sucker), as well as a speedmaster right out of the OB vault next day after it arrived (sort of by luck)

several years ago, i was sold a gmt master and another time a speedmaster highly suspicious of customer return sold as brand new, but i took it anyway

i have let known that sales associates meticulously putting the sticker back on to the demo watch

i guess it all depends on how soon do you want

as long as the warranty kicks from the day of purchase, i really do not worry

Thats very true stickers can be re applied

I like your car analogy, and its totally understandable...just wasnt sure if it was normal practice or did they give me a watch from the display because i drove a hard bargain lol. from what people are saying on here it seems to be normal practice.

I appreciate your reply thank you

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

lcolors1
I purchased my SMP through jomashop and they next day aired it to me from Brooklyn to the west coast. I received it two days ago fully stickered brand new with everything. (I didn’t know the inside of the box opened as well) to my surprise their was a nice little bag and something else. It was nice to be able to pull the stickers off. I love how this blue dial changed colors and the depth is much nicer than the previous generations.

Enjoy it brother! its looking good!

drbarot · Oct 9, 2021

Evitzee
I've bought my fair share of new watches from ADs over the years, most don't have the stickers on them, but they may have the watch head wrapped in plastic that they do in the store to avoid any major marks on the case when they remove them nightly and put in the safe. Most people who buy a new watch want to see it without all the stickers on. I'm afraid the latest idea that a watch must have the stickers on to be 'new' goes along with the fad that you absolutely need the outer brown cardboard box and the coffin, too, to make it a new watch. Just enjoy your watch.

Thank you for your reply

The AD staff did say they put the watches in the vault over night and it has only been out for a week (im assuming the last one sold a week ago then). As this is my first luxury watch I just wasn't sure it this is normal....from everyones replies I think its a normal thing.