Photoshopped or “lucky” with the lighting

Engee · Feb 6, 2021

This arrived today. I broke my “no chrome” rule because I wanted one of these watches for sentimental reasons. It was fairly cheap given these are really rather collectible watches these days, and the reason I bought it was because the listing images showed the case to be quite clean, which is rare, most of them have quite a lot of missing chrome.
First image is from the listing.
But then when it arrived there was a clear black scratch at the top of the case (see my second image). I asked the seller if he had manipulated the images in any way, and he denied it, but I’m not so sure. It seems to me that there is a change in colour tone on his images just where the scratch is.

I’ll probably live with it, the case is still in pretty good condition for the price, but I’m loath to leave the guy positive feedback if he’s been so blatantly dishonest in his listing. At the very least he must have known that the images did not accurately reflect the condition of the case, right?

What do you people think?

connieseamaster · Feb 6, 2021

I can see a small nick above the T at the edge of the case in the seller's photo that seems to correspond with the scratch in your photo. I don't think it was manipulated, but if the seller didn't mention the presence of any scratches in the listing, that'd be a problem.

befobe · Feb 6, 2021

! Never saw such a .... watch?... Thought it was a measurement tool for nuclear technicians in the 70's...

Congrats!👍👍

(But for your question, I vote for photoshop...)

Darlinboy · Feb 6, 2021

Hard to say, lighting intensity, contrast and angle can hide some pretty big flaws if that is the intention. I would not expect the seller to admit it was done to deceive. You would have a good case with eBay to return it IMO.

My thought - only keep it if you can move on from the issue. If it is going to eat at you and diminish your enjoyment of the watch, as I suspect it may already be doing given this post, return it. 👍

Engee · Feb 6, 2021

Darlinboy
Hard to say, lighting intensity, contrast and angle can hide some pretty big flaws if that is the intention. I would not expect the seller to admit it was done to deceive. You would have a good case with eBay to return it IMO.

My thought - only keep it if you can move on from the issue. If it is going to eat at you and diminish your enjoyment of the watch, as I suspect it may already be doing given this post, return it. 👍

Actually I was over it very quickly. I just don’t like being taken for a fool. I’m going to keep the watch and let him sweat while I decide what to do about his feedback.

TDBK · Feb 6, 2021

Engee
Actually I was over it very quickly. I just don’t like being taken for a fool. I’m going to keep the watch and let him sweat while I decide what to do about his feedback.

Either give him negative feedback because even if not photoshopped, the photo and listing were intentionally deceptive, or negotiate a reduction.

wsfarrell · Feb 6, 2021

Engee
Actually I was over it very quickly. I just don’t like being taken for a fool. I’m going to keep the watch and let him sweat while I decide what to do about his feedback.

I played around with the photos a bit in Lightroom, and I'm fairly certain the seller's picture was not manipulated. Light and angle can really mask scratches and other issues. See the photos below of a Rolex spider dial:

Without seeing the listing, it's hard to judge intent on the seller's part. The amateurish photo of the watch in his hand suggests to me, however, that this is not some slickster trying to hide flaws.

If this watch were mine, I would take it apart, mask off the sides with polyimide tape, and lightly refinish the top on a Bergeon satin wheel. It would look like new in 4 minutes.

Engee · Feb 6, 2021

TDBK
Either give him negative feedback because even if not photoshopped, the photo and listing were intentionally deceptive, or negotiate a reduction.

He’s already invited me to send it back, without acknowledging that he knowingly misled me. I won’t ask for a reduction, it’s not about the money, it’s about the next person trusting someone because he has a high feedback score which is undeserved.

Part of the problem with eBay is that it’s easy to maintain a good feedback score while being a bit of a scumbag.

Engee · Feb 6, 2021

wsfarrell
If this watch were mine, I would take it apart, mask off the sides with polyimide tape, and lightly refinish the top on a Bergeon satin wheel. It would look like new in 4 minutes.

Are your sure an abrasive wheel would be wise on a fairly cheap chrome plate case? Won’t it take it down to bare metal? Also, I think I would lose the sunburst texture.

TDBK · Feb 6, 2021

Engee
I won’t ask for a reduction, it’s not about the money, it’s about the next person trusting someone because he has a high feedback score which is undeserved.

Part of the problem with eBay is that it’s easy to maintain a good feedback score while being a bit of a scumbag.

That's why I suggested either path. Sounds like you know what you're going to do.

Photoshopped or “lucky” with the lighting

Engee

connieseamaster

befobe

Darlinboy

Engee

TDBK

wsfarrell

Engee

Engee

TDBK

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