Private sales...member comments.

STANDY · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
I wouldn’t know an overpolished watch from an unpolished watch. Nor would I know what reluming looks like. Nor would I know who to DM for advice. So as a novice collector it would help if someone politely commented on the thread and asked the seller to clarify.

This is why you don’t buy until you have knowledge and done your own research and homework

Japanred
Likewise if I was selling a watch and I had mistakenly described it, I’d be happy to be corrected by an expert.

You will be. 😉

Japanred
I think this would ensure that sales are moderated to some extent which would over time improve confidence in the forums marketplace.

Plenty of confidence for experienced members.
It’s not a market place. It’s a watch forum that has a FS thread.

Japanred · Jul 6, 2019

STANDY
This is why you don’t buy until you have knowledge and done your own research and homework
.

What do you mean by “have knowledge?”

I have knowledge of watches. Probably not as much as you but how much is enough?

ahsposo · Jul 6, 2019

There's never enough knowledge.

There's plenty of ignorance and opinion.

But that's the human condition...

eugeneandresson · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
but how much is enough?

When you know the following things just by looking :

Japanred
I wouldn’t know an overpolished watch from an unpolished watch. Nor would I know what reluming looks like.

...and even then, there will be more.

STANDY · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
I wouldn’t know an overpolished watch from an unpolished watch. Nor would I know what reluming looks like. Nor would I know who to DM for advice.

When you can tell a watch is over polished or relumed and hasn’t been redialled.

When you know this case

Should look like this

Japanred · Jul 6, 2019

eugeneandresson
When you know the following things just by looking :

...and even then, there will be more.

I disagree. Must be millions of people worldwide who buy expensive watches without knowing what Relumed or Polished looks like. Very few will come to regret not having this knowledge.

It’s like me, as a car enthusiast, saying to someone “you have to know whether there’s evidence of bore scoring before you buy that Porsche or whether there’s evidence of over revs on that Ferrari”.

STANDY · Jul 6, 2019

To buy modern watches you don’t need any knowledge besides buy reputable brands that hold their value

Start buying $20-$50k vintage Rolex and Speedmaster models and see how you go

eugeneandresson · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
I disagree. Must be millions of people worldwide who buy expensive watches without knowing what Relumed or Polished looks like. Very few will come to regret not having this knowledge.

It’s like me, as a car enthusiast, saying to someone “you have to know whether there’s evidence of bore scoring before you buy that Porsche or whether there’s evidence of over revs on that Ferrari”.

Agree or disagree, that’s your cup of tea. You asked, that’s the answer most folks here will give you. If you can’t research enough by looking at enough pictures / are too lazy / disagree / whatever to teach yourself the difference between a polished/unpolished version of a particular watch, or relume, then nobody else can do it for you. A good start will be by sifting through this forum. Tons of invaluable information (and pictures), just requires the interest to sift, searching, and time investment. @STANDY gave you one example, as well as a nugget of great advice : look at many of the same with a critical eye and learn to see the difference. You will be surprised at how quickly you pick it up, after all our brains have evolved to be quite adept at pattern recognition given enough practice 👍

Edit : Start here.

padders · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
I disagree. Must be millions of people worldwide who buy expensive watches without knowing what Relumed or Polished looks like. Very few will come to regret not having this knowledge.

It’s like me, as a car enthusiast, saying to someone “you have to know whether there’s evidence of bore scoring before you buy that Porsche or whether there’s evidence of over revs on that Ferrari”.

I can't say as I agree with your logic there. Plenty who lay out big bucks on a dodgy watch come to grief at resale time when they are made aware of its shortcomings and you would be mad to buy a 996 or 997 Gen 1 without looking at the status of the IMS bearing and checking for bore scoring as both have 5 digit consequences. Checking for Zone 2 overrevs is pretty std practice too so I am not sure of your point really. I don't see it as arcane knowledge, it is common sense.

Knowledge is power. If you want to be lazy or rely on other people's expertise, or just use your time in a way you see as preferable, then that is fine, just don't moan when it bites you in the ass.

Observer · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
I disagree. Must be millions of people worldwide who buy expensive watches without knowing what Relumed or Polished looks like. Very few will come to regret not having this knowledge.

It’s like me, as a car enthusiast, saying to someone “you have to know whether there’s evidence of bore scoring before you buy that Porsche or whether there’s evidence of over revs on that Ferrari”.

I understand where you're coming from, but the idea seems to be that all of the other forums are for learning about condition, etc. It may seem that the intent of the rule is to protect the feelings of thin-skinned whiners, but as I've seen in practice within the last few days, it's more to protect the sales forums from thin-skinned whiners who get called out and argue with their detractors, who argue back, and the whole thing drags out for pages. What you can learn from the sales forums is pricing and demand as you see some watches languish for months even with price reductions. Whatever the intent, the rules won't likely change and we just operate within them.
I'll note that the moderation here is among the best I've seen on the many forums I've visited over the years. I'm sure there have been many who were harshly dealt with, but all I've seen has been the removal of violating posts and a reminder of acceptable practices. Bravo!

padders · Jul 6, 2019

You are a crazy fool!

Jokes aside, just because it has cost you nothing so far doesn't mean its a good plan. In fact deliberate ignorance is no plan at all IMO.

chanbar · Jul 6, 2019

Japanred
What do you mean by “have knowledge?”

I have knowledge of watches. Probably not as much as you but how much is enough?

I’ve attended GTG and purchased through the forum and have had the chance to discuss watches with people way more experienced than I am and I’ve asked them for opinions on pieces I have been interested (after doing some research in my own) 👍

Japanred · Jul 7, 2019

BlackTalon
Did you at least have a qualified mechanic perform a PPI?

Is PPI pre purchase inspection?
If so, no.

Japanred · Jul 7, 2019

Stufflers Mom
That way of think works fine when you are the buyer, but it could lead to problems if you are selling.

I cant see me selling any of my watches.

Stufflers Mom · Jul 7, 2019

Japanred
I cant see me selling any of my watches.

Neither can I😁

BlackTalon · Jul 7, 2019

Japanred
Is PPI pre purchase inspection?
If so, no.

There are two camps of people -- those who want to know the condition of what they are buying, and those who are not as concerned. I'm firmly in the first camp, as I paid a used Porsche noob tax over 20 years ago, and I regularly see people in our active local Porsche community get burned by not springing for PPIs. And my time on OF has consistently reinforced that the experienced collectors do their homework or have a trusted watchmaker who can advise them, and those who just jump in an buy often later find out there are many issues with their purchase.

Taddyangle · Jul 7, 2019

BlackTalon
...as I paid a used Porsche noob tax.... later find out there are many issues with their purchase.

Agree. I too paid. Cayenne S. Cooling pipes and gear shifter. Research and inspection prior to purchase would have lead me in a different direction.

Rochete · Jul 9, 2019

Japanred
I disagree. Must be millions of people worldwide who buy expensive watches without knowing what Relumed or Polished looks like. Very few will come to regret not having this knowledge.

It’s like me, as a car enthusiast, saying to someone “you have to know whether there’s evidence of bore scoring before you buy that Porsche or whether there’s evidence of over revs on that Ferrari”.

The fact that someone doesn't care about his lack of knowledge doesn't make him knowledgeable. If you don't know the things you listed above you have no knowledge, period. Then again if you couldn't care less about reluming or overpolishing then you don't need that knowledge you lack.

Observer · Jul 22, 2019

My favorite member comments are the "I can't believe this is still here, it's such a bargain!" while their wallet remains firmly in their pocket.
If it's such a good deal...

Foo2rama · Jul 22, 2019

Observer
My favorite member comments are the "I can't believe this is still here, it's such a bargain!" while their wallet remains firmly in their pocket.
If it's such a good deal...

Often because similar pieces exist in their collection. Or they know the watch and it’s prices but for various reasons doesn’t work for them.

I know I’ve made that comment a few times, for what I’ve felt was an incredibly fair price on a great example of a watch that for various reasons I didn’t feel the need to add to my collection.

Private sales...member comments.

STANDY

Japanred

ahsposo

eugeneandresson

STANDY

Japanred

STANDY

eugeneandresson

padders

Observer

padders

chanbar

Japanred

Japanred

Stufflers Mom

BlackTalon

Taddyangle

Rochete

Observer

Foo2rama

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