I have seen this scenario many times, where a seller sets a high opening bid, and nobody bids. Then the next week they do the same thing, with a slightly lower opening bid, and again nobody bids. After a while, the listing is stale. I have gotten some good watches in situations like this. Sellers sometimes don't understand the benefit of starting an auction low to get some momentum going. With a $0.99 opening and no reserve, this watch could go for $800. Wouldn't surprise me.

 

Rather apt seller name.

 

I'm not a mind reader, but I THINK sellers like this believe reserves are a bad idea, so they set their reserve as the opening bid. It's like

"If I start it at $.99, it'll require dozens of bids to get up to the reserve of $618. If I start it at $618, I only need one bid to get my minimum price."

Or something like that.......

 

Wouldn't even let me bid

 

You could always get an in-between to purchase in the U.S for you and send it over to the UK @JwRosenthal and @DaveK did that I believe but between the U.S and Canada. Depends on how much you want it though too.

 

Dave promised to flip that $17 Benrus for $50k after he proved it was Picasso's watch and was going to cut me in....how did that paint analysis go Dave?

 

Would have no problem with that and the team on OF would doubtless facilitate but I wasn't going to offer full price and there would be some negotiations. I am not so awestruck that I cant afford to miss out

 

Turns out it was a screen-worn prop from the TV show Dexter. Unfortunately I had already polished the crystal by the time I realized it .



Seriously though, the only people who made money on that sale was the post office, had the seller spent 10 minutes wiping down the watch...

 

For customs purposes, I’m pretty sure that JW bought the watch, then gave it to me as a gift

 

Started at $650: no bids.
Then $618: no bids.
Now $586.

I hope people are making reasonable low offers on this, just to drive him nuts.

 

He must be kicking himself now. He should have accepted your offer.

 

Gruen with a sunburst dial. Has some problems with the stem. Running with a Felsa 1560. Looks pretty nice for $45. https://www.ebay.com/itm/284034583669Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Don't have a clue to the true value of this piece but Longines collectors would probably be interested.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-194Os-LONGINES-MAINLINER-10KGF-MANUAL-CAL-10L-BLACK-DIAL-MENS-WATCH-RARE/284027284723?_trkparms=aid=1110012&algo=SPLICE.SOIPOST&ao=1&asc=225086&meid=d522e0f11a98441486e4ff2b6637d557&pid=100008&rk=3&rkt=8&sd=284034583669&itm=284027284723&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&algv=PromotedSellersOtherItemsV2&brand=Longines&_trksid=p2047675.c100008.m2219Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
Hefty BIN but with make an offer option.
Running but not tested.
Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Homage to this Thread
Hello!
Decided to bite the bullet, come clean and show you what I bought that you recommended on this brilliant thread.
You might want to swear (to yourself) about the bugger who got the one that you really wanted. I am open to offers.
Some I paid a little, for others upto £250. I have catalogued the watches below, with thread page nos, price of watch/total price with taxes +
shipping in pounds, and my own personal comments.
Again many thanks to you all for being so generous with your time and knowledge.
I couldn’t have done it without you!

In order left to right

(NOT IN PHOTO p.10 Teltime – nice looking divers watch. But it didn’t run so returned it. I really like the red in it. But it felt light and poorly made)


Nomeca p.13 Longines vibe a bit special. A good buy even for the price. Don’t like the strap but it is a beautiful watch. 188/199
Caravelle p.14 On the small side but sharp and clean. Personally not fussed either way. 25/50
Bulova p.15 bottle top Lovely watch. Bit on the small side 30.7mm Really special. If it was bigger… perfect! 245/270
Elgin p.15 32mm silver spring strap sharp clean beautiful off white dial 45/75
Paul Portinoux p.15 a class act 43mm the weight in the hand, looks well made 117/142



Clinton diver p.17 another class act 40mm heavy rugged, great patina. A fave. 75/115
Paul Raynard Diver p.17 36mm Lovely diver. The orange sets if off. Very good condition like new 188/258
Vintage Elgin p.17 34mm Good condition looks well made. But personally not fussed. Pencil lead colour dial is nice. But looks a bit artificial? 36/49
Caravelle p.19 blue dial by Bulova Good clean condition but I personally don’t like the shape 67/80
(NOT IN PHOTO p.20 Benrus tank didn’t run returned. Disappointed. Glad it didn’t run)
Waltham Gold p.21 33.6mm 73/103 Possibly my favourite or at least top 3! Why? Struggle to tell you. The gold colour looks burnished. Silvery dial. Love the strap. Brilliant package. Contradicts my neutral opinion for dress watches.


Centaure p.23 square lugs Most disappointing watch here. The thread pics are beguiling. Needs really bright light to set it off - an explosion? Maybe photo’d on another planet. For sale!! 71/102
Buler Diver p.24 Wonderful diver! Something about the browning of the lume gives it a special look. Top 3! 250
Buler Astromaster p.36 Looks too modern for me. Good condition. Something a bit sterile about it? 46
So might top 5 today is!!


What I have learnt:
1. Buying a load of cheaper watches really scratched an itch
2. I binge buy which at times is out of control
3. If there was medication available I should take it on binge days
4. I do like a good diver - large, strong, tough, manly, chunky, heavy weight - but might have overdone it - I have 12!
5. Gold or Silver metal spring straps – I love them - I remember my Dad wearing them as a kid
6. I’m not that keen on dress watches
7. With all the pics in the world you can never really tell what you are buying
8. The wait of weeks between buying and arriving sobers you up and you wonder why you liked the watch and why you bought it?
9. Buying from the US means you can never really get a final price at point of purchase and takes an age to arrive
10. I should be more picky but realise my condition will continually override this notion

BUT if I was told I could only have one watch, even with my speedie collection
I would choose my worn Ed White! 6 hours behind GMT for Houston Time
Thanks for reading!!

 

Cheap diver alert. Cordura Seagull with a Baumgartner 158. https://www.ebay.com/itm/154122207134Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Black dialed gold plated Caravelle. This is a very pretty watch with the coffin markers- crystal should clean up with a wet sand
Edit- crystal may have a crack- shouldn't be too hard to get a GS for it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/313246217540Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

And @adrian scott -that was a fantastic retrospective !

 

Not a bargain in my opinion but rather different. Baylor Heuer? I've never seen one like this. Anyone have thoughts? https://www.ebay.com/itm/293766026416Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

 

Oh no ‍♂️

 

Can someone explaine why my funky Tidénas are still not sold yet, are they not good value enough?
I mean com'on 3 steel cases with colour dials automatics, 2 of them in 200m WR for 250EUR including worldwide shipping.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/2x-...lue-added-a-third-tidéna-in-the-price.120189/