Omega, an interesting move (Ultraman)

carrouselclasp · Sep 16, 2019

I'm planning to buy my first Omega Speedmaster, and I really started appreciating this piece a bit late, since a friend of mine bought one a couple of years ago, and my fascination started to grow.

Here starts the situation, I LOVE the Speedmaster Ultraman (https://tinyurl.com/y5ek22qw) but of course, it is a difficult call since the watch was launched in 2018 and sold out in 1.5 hours. But when I went to the boutique I started chatting with the dealer and end up telling that this one was my dream watch. Besides, managed to make a list of other speedies that would be ok with me. He told me that was going to ask about the other pieces that I mentioned since the Ultra wasn't available anymore.

BUT a couple of days after I received a message, where he said: ¨Hi, I have something to tell you that might cheer you up. There is a GREAT chance to get an Ultraman. I spoke with HQ and seems to be one in the vault, or at least that is what the system says. So I need you to tell me your complete name and the omega pieces that you have¨.

Time goes on, and a couple of days ago, he sent me a message saying:¨Hi again, I'm sorry for creating expectations, but we are not able to get the watch¨¨From HQ: About the Ultraman, I inform you that we are not able to satisfy your client request. We cannot find the piece here.¨ And finally, he said: ¨I really thought that we could get you the watch, but after that from HQ they said that this item would have to authorized by the Omega president, and so on¨ Do you have any comment on this, opinions?

PS: The seller was really kind and really professional. (I'm from South America and customs are really though, that's the reason why I'm not able to buy it from the grey market).

STANDY · Sep 16, 2019

Usually a boutique can see watches that are in stock at other boutiques and in Switzerland.
There may be one in HQ but it is held or not for sale. (Hence the Omega president having to sign off) So it may still show up in the system as not sold.

I had this with a Tag Monaco 35th anniversary I bought for my 35th birthday. It was sold out in Australia. There was one or two in boutiques overseas and it took them a few weeks to get it sent if I agreed to put a deposit on it.

SG90 · Sep 16, 2019

carrouselclasp
I spoke with HQ and seems to be one in the vault, or at least that is what the system says. So I need you to tell me your complete name and the omega pieces that you have¨.

To check if you were a good enough customer for HQ to sign off on the UM?😕

BlackTalon · Sep 16, 2019

There are #ST2s for sale on OF regularly. And the prices have been not much above the original selling price. Keep checking the FS subforums.

Evitzee · Sep 16, 2019

BlackTalon
There are #ST2s for sale on OF regularly. And the prices have been not much above the original selling price. Keep checking the FS subforums.

OP is in South America and Customs are a hassle, and expensive. I don't think buying on OF will work for him, unfortunately.

carrouselclasp · Sep 16, 2019

Evitzee
OP is in South America and Customs are a hassle, and expensive. I don't think buying on OF will work for him, unfortunately.

Exactly, that is what i meant. Customs is pretty though, so you have to pay 50% of the item if you are not the official importer.
You end up paying 12k a watch that aftermarket is 8k.

Thanks for the answer!!

carrouselclasp · Sep 16, 2019

SG90
To check if you were a good enough customer for HQ to sign off on the UM?😕

I dont know what is UM, could you explain please? Sorry for the inconvenience

carrouselclasp · Sep 16, 2019

STANDY
Usually a boutique can see watches that are in stock at other boutiques and in Switzerland.
There may be one in HQ but it is held or not for sale. (Hence the Omega president having to sign off) So it may still show up in the system as not sold.

I had this with a Tag Monaco 35th anniversary I bought for my 35th birthday. It was sold out in Australia. There was one or two in boutiques overseas and it took them a few weeks to get it sent if I agreed to put a deposit on it.

Yes, i think your point of view is completely right.
But when they told me that there was a chance, that information was already checked with HQ, so its quite weird.
Anyway it’s reasonable since i didn't spent 100k in omega, so, if there is a watch saved for a special situation, thats not me.

Thanks!

KingCrouchy · Sep 16, 2019

carrouselclasp
I dont know what is UM, could you explain please? Sorry for the inconvenience

Ultraman

squarelug · Sep 16, 2019

I mean, I've experienced plenty of situations where the inventory management system was off - last time with Alden shoes lol - so these things happen

BradleyJ. · Sep 17, 2019

Just throwing this out there for conversational purposes (not sure of any flaws in this) but if you are willing to buy a watch that costs 10k plus, wouldn't it make more sense to set something up with a trusted grey market dealer here who is willing to sell a piece face to face. Then just buy a plane ticket to where they are (New York comes to mind) and make a long weekend or even a week vacation outa the whole process to avoid customs? I mean after 10k for a ST2 what's another couple hundred bucks to acquire it and get a little traveling in for fun.

I was willing to drive 5ish hours to Montreal once for a watchco 300 which I would have preferred to see in person first and as a kicker I haven't even been in Canada in probably 3 or 4 years so the wife would appreciate a weekend away. Unfortunately it didnt happen cause the watch dealer said it sold before it even landed in his store case even after telling me he wouldn't hold it for me (with deposit) due to it being unfair to other customers.....

carrouselclasp · Sep 17, 2019

BradleyJ.
Just throwing this out there for conversational purposes (not sure of any flaws in this) but if you are willing to buy a watch that costs 10k plus, wouldn't it make more sense to set something up with a trusted grey market dealer here who is willing to sell a piece face to face. Then just buy a plane ticket to where they are (New York comes to mind) and make a long weekend or even a week vacation outa the whole process to avoid customs? I mean after 10k for a ST2 what's another couple hundred bucks to acquire it and get a little traveling in for fun.

I was willing to drive 5ish hours to Montreal once for a watchco 300 which I would have preferred to see in person first and as a kicker I haven't even been in Canada in probably 3 or 4 years so the wife would appreciate a weekend away. Unfortunately it didnt happen cause the watch dealer said it sold before it even landed in his store case even after telling me he wouldn't hold it for me (with deposit) due to it being unfair to other customers.....

Hi! Thanks for the answer and sorry to hear that! Such a ridiculous situation, Its really sad end up paying what other people do.

Regarding your idea, I think its pretty good, but the thing is that there. is not too much people trying to buy this watch, most of them are dealers so the situatiotion its quite the same in comparison with the story that you mentioned above. I lived in Stockholm for a couple of months and there were a retailer that had the watch, end up going there a couple of days after the mail due to work and the watch was sold, and they said the same thing that the Canadian dealer told you.

Omega, an interesting move (Ultraman)

carrouselclasp

STANDY

SG90

BlackTalon

Evitzee

carrouselclasp

carrouselclasp

carrouselclasp

KingCrouchy

squarelug

BradleyJ.

carrouselclasp

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