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Same Watch (168.004) - 2 eBay Listings/Sellers

Elipside
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Hi all,

In my quest to find an Omega Conny I came across something odd on eBay.
The same exact watch (same photos) is listed twice, with different sellers.. and prices..

Ones at £882 (+shipping) and the other at £568 (free shipping)
I believe both are in Japan.

Screenshot_20220531-103112.png Screenshot_20220531-103056.png


My gut feeling is that the cheap one is too good to be true.
Both sellers seems to have good reviews, so it makes me wonder what this means.

Have you ever this seen? Could it be the same (physical) store in Japan with 2 different eBay accounts?

Thanks guys

Jerome
 
cineaste
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Closer is legit, the other guy is probably trying to make a quick buck!
 
MtV
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It's a common practice: Closer is one of the, if not the largest vintage Omega seller in Japan, definitely trustworthy. The other guy is a reseller: If you buy from him for the higher price, that'll trigger his purchase from Closer, he'll pass on the watch to you and pocket the difference. Totally legit, just not particularly smart to buy for the higher price.

Regarding the watch itself: 570GBP + about 20% import tax means ~685GBP. That's a hefty price tag for that destroyed dial, in my opinion.
 
mutanthands
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The watch itself doesn't look like a great example. I agree with MtV, once you factor in the import tax, it's not worth the price.
 
Elipside
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Thanks guys for the swift replies. I guess for once cheaper can be better!
I am surprised Closer is happy to have other people using their exact same photos as this create confusion, but good to know Closer is a good seller!

I was gonna look into taxes from Japan and you just answered my question. Thanks again.

Thank you for the advise regarding it being overpriced. I'll keep looking for another one. I don't mind the dial and the overall condition if the price is correct (main purpose being to wear it), but seems to be a No No for you. I can't afford the better looking ones at prices seem to go above £1000 very quickly. Might have to look for something else.

Thanks !
 
guaranteed.rohu
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Not sure if it's helpful but worth checking out some of the vintage IWCs too, good value there.
 
Dan S
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This is a common practice for Japanese sellers on eBay, to post photos of items that are not actually in the hands of the seller. They use photos from another auction site, a website, or even a retail store. Technically it's in violation of eBay rules, but they generally aren't scammers. Still, I'd be very unlikely to buy from one of those resellers because their prices are generally not competitive compared to a direct purchase.

Personally, I would not be happy with the condition of the dial of the OP watch, even at the lower asking price.
 
Elipside
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Dan S Dan S
This is a common practice for Japanese sellers on eBay, to post photos of items that are not actually in the hands of the seller. They use photos from another auction site, a website, or even a retail store. Technically it's in violation of eBay rules, but they generally aren't scammers. Still, I'd be very unlikely to buy from one of those resellers because their prices are generally not competitive compared to a direct purchase.

Personally, I would not be happy with the condition of the dial of the OP watch, even at the lower asking price.

Understood for the dial, I'll follow your advise because I don't want to regret buying the watch after a few months! Cheers all!
 
Dan S
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I bought this Constellation for about £675 recently with the service crown as shown, and added a correct crown for about £50. So with some patience, I think you can find something better in your budget.

IMG_2354.jpeg
Edited:
 
Elipside
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Dan S Dan S
I bought this Constellation for about £675 recently, and added about £50 for a correct crown. So with some patience, I think you can find something better in your budget.

IMG_2354.jpeg
Lovely one you've got. It's good to see what we can get with this kind of money (and patience haha) !
 
Dan S
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It is a ref 14381. Do you have a specific preference for the style of case and dial? There is nothing wrong with the 168.004, but I find the case to be a bit utilitarian for a Constellation.
 
Elipside
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Dan S Dan S
It is a ref 14381. Do you have a specific preference for the style of case and dial? There is nothing wrong with the 168.004, but I find the case to be a bit utilitarian for a Constellation.

No specific preference for the 168.004. I am still learning about the various constellation references tbh, the cross hair caught my attention but now looking at your 14381, i find the lugs a lot more elegant.

Someone mentioned the Omega Constellation Collector website which I am currently going through, I found a database with no pictures, so I might search pictures for all of them and create my own wish list.
 
Waltesefalcon
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Dan S Dan S
I bought this Constellation for about £675 recently, and added about £50 for a correct crown. So with some patience, I think you can find something better in your budget.

IMG_2354.jpeg
I really like the gray strap with the stainless markers, it looks great!

My 14381 set me back about $650 but that was three or four years ago. It has an Omega service crown, which doesn't hurt my feelings.

Edit: I realized my photo was a couple of years old.
Edited:
 
20220531_120012.jpg 20220531_120006.jpg
Dan S
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Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
I really like the gray strap with the stainless markers, it looks great!

My 14381 set me back about $650 but that was three or four years ago. It has an Omega service crown, which doesn't hurt my feelings.

I think you did really well. Mine also came with a service crown as shown in that photo, but I was going to have it serviced anyway, so I felt the additional cost for a period-correct crown was worth it. The gray croc strap is a Vietnamese eBay buy.
 
Elipside
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Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
I really like the gray strap with the stainless markers, it looks great!

My 14381 set me back about $650 but that was three or four years ago. It has an Omega service crown, which doesn't hurt my feelings.

Edit: I realized my photo was a couple of years old.

I love the gold touches on yours as well 🥰
4 years ago, I reckon prices on these watches only go up?

I've read in a few posts here that UK prices are higher? Is that a thing? Despite eBay showing international sellers? My brother leaves in the California, is it worth buying there? (I can see the eBay listing of course but I know he used Offer Up in the past to buy watches as well, which I can't check from here, even with a VPN).
 
Dug
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I may be wrong, often am, but my understanding is that buying a watch into the uk from Japan, or anywhere else outside of the UK, will incur a charge of 20% of the total value of the goods and postage combined.
Then of course you have the 'handling fee' charged by the courier. Best to be aware of the extras.
 
Davidt
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Believe me, it often ends up much more than 20%, especially as Closer use DHL.

30% is the figure I use when calculating estimated total cost to my doorstep in the UK
 
Elipside
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Davidt Davidt
Believe me, it often ends up much more than 20%, especially as Closer use DHL.

30% is the figure I use when calculating estimated total cost to my doorstep in the UK
That's a good rule of thumb to have in mind thanks !
I reckon Closer is more often than not quite expensive, all fees considered
 
Waltesefalcon
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Dan S Dan S
I think you did really well. Mine also came with a service crown as shown in that photo, but I was going to have it serviced anyway, so I felt the additional cost for a period-correct crown was worth it. The gray croc strap is a Vietnamese eBay buy.
My red ostrich is a Vietnamese ebay buy. If you ask me those Vietnamese straps are great bang for the buck.
 
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