Speedmaster from Crown and Caliber

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Not according to them. They claim that 100% of their watches test between -5 secs to +10 when they go up for sale. They told me they buy watches with small problems and make them function “like new,” before they sell them.

And so they push the regulator around enough to get it running reasonably well in one position, basically a meaningless claim/guarantee. It's just a little game that they (and many other high-volume dealers/resellers) play with every watch. They are just taking their chances that the watch will run well enough that the buyer won't want to bother returning it.

It's not going to be any different buying from a different seller, unless you are absolutely sure it has been properly serviced.
 
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And so they push the regulator around enough to get it running reasonably well in one position, basically a meaningless claim/guarantee. It's just a little game that they (and many other high-volume dealers/resellers) play with every watch. They are just taking their chances that the watch will run well enough that the buyer won't want to bother returning it.

It's not going to be any different buying from a different seller, unless you are absolutely sure it has been properly serviced.
thanks for the input as I don’t know how the process works. Clearly the watch was in need of servicing when they received it as it failed their tests. Whatever “regulating” means resulted in a watch that keeps time outside of both Omega’s and their standards. Sending it back for another “regulation” imo wouldn’t fix the probable deeper problems with this watch.
 
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This a good example of how the used market works.....don't believe these watches have in any way been really serviced. They have been regulated to hopefully pass muster with the new owner. Bottom line, have funds set aside for a proper sevice by someone who knows what they are doing. Do not expect that from the seller no matter what they say. Talk is cheap.
 
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There is a reason Omega charges $750 for a service.
Any used ad that says recently serviced, usually means that they opened it up, nothing looked out of the ordinary, service complete.
 
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I bought a Seamaster from them that had a problem after the return period ended, probably a few weeks. I didn't have it very long. They wouldn't take it back for a refund, but did fix it. They were pretty proactive about everything. Mine had stopped running, and was then all over the place.
 
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Because they ‘fixed’ it already. I’m betting there’s deeper problems with this watch than in need of regulating. They don’t do full servicing. Fool me once.....

If you think that, then simply get a refund and move on.
 
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If you think that, then simply get a refund and move on.
I am. That's what I said in my post before the one you responded to. I just want to clarify that I knew I was buying a used watch and that Crown and Caliber's customer service has been impeccable. I feel I just got unlucky and that they did not misrepresent anything to me. I believe that the watch was working within specs at the time they listed it. I would definitely consider ordering from them again considering the 100% refund offered if I'm not satisfied. They definitely aren't trying to pull a fast one on their customers as they told me I can put any watch I want on hold and use the return funds towards that. They know I'm going to test the time so if they were scamming people they wouldn't be encouraging me to order another.
 
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FWIW, "working within specs" is nothing like "fully serviced"
 
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FWIW, "working within specs" is nothing like "fully serviced"
I guess what I was assuming (probably incorrectly) was that the watch was checked to be in good enough shape to not need an immediate servicing. If it had worked well for 2-3 years and then need servicing I'd have felt that I got a decent value. If it needs a full service immediately then I think new would be clearly the better value.
 
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I think you made the right decision to pass on this watch and look to another one. Glad to hear about your customer service experience and it sounds like Crown & Caliber is looking to do right by their customers.

Without diving into a topic, "servicing" a watch, and "regulating" it, are two very different things. Likewise, just because a watch is performing to specifications, doesn't necessarily mean it does NOT require a service. Servicing a watch can either be a routine preventative maintenance action, or an action to repair a known defect.

I would encourage you to consider saving to purchase a new Speedmaster - whether from a fellow member here on the Forums selling a new watch in warranty with a properly endorsed warranty card and boxes/hang tags, or simply straight up from Omega or an Omega AD. Yes, you pay a little bit of a premium; at the same time you get the peace of mind knowing that the manufacturer itself stands behind your purchase. Just something to consider, particularly if you're thinking of enjoying and keeping your Speedmaster for the long haul.
 
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I think you made the right decision to pass on this watch and look to another one. Glad to hear about your customer service experience and it sounds like Crown & Caliber is looking to do right by their customers.

Without diving into a topic, "servicing" a watch, and "regulating" it, are two very different things. Likewise, just because a watch is performing to specifications, doesn't necessarily mean it does NOT require a service. Servicing a watch can either be a routine preventative maintenance action, or an action to repair a known defect.

I would encourage you to consider saving to purchase a new Speedmaster - whether from a fellow member here on the Forums selling a new watch in warranty with a properly endorsed warranty card and boxes/hang tags, or simply straight up from Omega or an Omega AD. Yes, you pay a little bit of a premium; at the same time you get the peace of mind knowing that the manufacturer itself stands behind your purchase. Just something to consider, particularly if you're thinking of enjoying and keeping your Speedmaster for the long haul.

Thanks for your input. I’m leaning the way you suggest after considering all factors and the opinions on this board. My reasoning for going used was that many Omega fans say don’t service until it doesn’t work right so I was just assuming that I’d get a few years out of that watch and then service it and have a like new watch. It clearly didn’t work.