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Planning an Omega Constellation first watch purchase - advice please

R
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Good Morning Everyone

Am a new member and completely new to purchasing a luxury watch, so any advice would be hugely appreciated.
Having just taken early retirement, am looking to purchase an omega constellation. My question is regarding second hand purchases - I have seen watches in my price range on the internet, at sellers including RAMSDENS / WATCHFINDER / H and T

My question is how reliable are these dealers - they all claim the watches are authentic, but is that absolutely true - has anyone any experience or knowledge of these dealers. I don’t want to make a naive mistake and end up with a fake

Thanks so much for help and advice
 
Davidt
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They’re authentic but often overpriced and overpolished to make them look shiny.

I’d recommend narrowing your search so you know what models you’re interested in and keeping an eye on the sales forum here.
 
R
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Davidt Davidt
They’re authentic but often overpriced and overpolished to make them look shiny.

I’d recommend narrowing your search so you know what models you’re interested in and keeping an eye on the sales forum here.
Thanks for the advice
 
Dan S
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What type of modern Constellation are you considering? Maybe share a photo.
 
M
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My 2c....definitely buy a serviced watch, or at least one running perfectly...and to the extent it matters to you, a watch with all correct factory original parts...but that would mean doing some research and figuring out what reference you want. Definitely buy here on the forum than through a private dealer.
 
R
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Dan S Dan S
What type of modern Constellation are you considering? Maybe share a photo.
Thanks will find and add. Thanks for advice
 
R
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M myatt
My 2c....definitely buy a serviced watch, or at least one running perfectly...and to the extent it matters to you, a watch with all correct factory original parts...but that would mean doing some research and figuring out what reference you want. Definitely buy here on the forum than through a private dealer.
Thanks for the good advice
 
TexOmega
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As written before by many here...... you have 2 choices:

Spend your time and effort to know everything about a model you want to buy so you can pounce when seen.
usually less money out but tons of time and effort, and eventually a watch on your wrist.

Or....pay someone else who has used their time and effort to present a watch to you for buying.
usually more money but the watch is on your wrist now.



Start threads with great pictures (and great questions!) and the Forum can assist you if you choose either route.


Good luck and happy retirement
 
DLT222
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Well, as a dealer and collector for many many years, stay way from the pawn shops like Ramadans and H&T. Watchfinder are up there and is a long established business (owned by Richemont ££££). They have in house service guys and warranty everything for 2 years. Stay away from watches with no warranty cards from grey dealers that are new. These will have a 'warranty' but not manufacturers and will not come with a warranty card from OMEGA.

I am happy to help you search for anything you like if you drop me a DM. Many will vouch for me on here and i'm known to many also.

I would also advise buying something with box and papers.

D
 
R
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DLT222 DLT222
Well, as a dealer and collector for many many years, stay way from the pawn shops like Ramadans and H&T. Watchfinder are up there and is a long established business (owned by Richemont ££££). They have in house service guys and warranty everything for 2 years. Stay away from watches with no warranty cards from grey dealers that are new. These will have a 'warranty' but not manufacturers and will not come with a warranty card from OMEGA.

I am happy to help you search for anything you like if you drop me a DM. Many will vouch for me on here and i'm known to many also.

I would also advise buying something with box and papers.

D
Many thanks for your help and advice
 
R
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TexOmega TexOmega
As written before by many here...... you have 2 choices:

Spend your time and effort to know everything about a model you want to buy so you can pounce when seen.
usually less money out but tons of time and effort, and eventually a watch on your wrist.

Or....pay someone else who has used their time and effort to present a watch to you for buying.
usually more money but the watch is on your wrist now.



Start threads with great pictures (and great questions!) and the Forum can assist you if you choose either route.


Good luck and happy retirement
Many thanks for your helpful reply
 
D
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In my opinion if you're doing a first purchase as a retirement present to yourself, I'd much rather buy from an AD for a little bit more.
 
padders
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I can second the opinion above that Ramsdens and H&T are perhaps to be treated with caution. Both are indeed large pawnbroking chain operations. H&T at least have a good in house repair facility as they now own STS but Ramsdens I would prob avoid to be honest as they will have taken a watch in over a pawnshop counter from a customer who can no longer afford to take it back out of pledge then tarted it up for sale. Not necessarily the best route to finding a well cared for minter.
 
R
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Have you stepped back and thought "what do I want it for?".

A nice watch to wear every day, a special occasion watch, an investment or at least something that won't lose too much value, something to pass on to children when (or before) the reaper reaps. The answers might guide you towards what and where to purchase.

A practical point on buying second hand - bracelet links. I have one Omega, not very fancy but a 40th birthday present 33 years ago. I joined this forum to ask about repair and serviicng.

When my wife bought it and gave it to me I realised the bracelet was too big for my failrly small wrist. The store was very good and took links out for me. It was about 2 years later that I realised they never put the links back in the box, and they were long gone after a city redeveloment. No problem for me, we shrivel as we age, but if anyone with a larger wrist were to buy it it might be unwearable unless new links can be sourced. So if you buy, and its a metal breacelet, ask the question.

Another thought on second hand, a recently serviced watch should be worth more - if you went to official Omega boutique for servicing you are looking at GBP 500 minimum. Factor that in.
 
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