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Speedmaster/Seamaster source advice

  1. Dombo63 Jun 24, 2015

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    I am looking for advice on the "best" place to get a Speedmaster Professional or Seamaster 300. I am in the UK and there are the usual authorised dealers and boutiques but also what seem to be watch brokers who typically charge considerably less for new watches. For example a brand new Speedmaster Pro with Hesalite is £2430 from a broker, as against £3340 from an authorised dealer/boutique. This is even less than many pre-owned Speedmasters from one of our largest pre-owned specialists, yet brand new and with full manufacturer warranty. Seamaster has a similar %age saving.
    Thanks for any advice
     
  2. DAM Jun 24, 2015

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    Who are the brokers acting for, buyer or seller?

    Who is the principal?
     
  3. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Jun 24, 2015

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    Hey Dombo63,

    There's lots of places to buy, as you've found. You get different things with each. Buying from an AD or boutique means you're getting the watch directly from the manufacturer via an approved and controlled channel. You get the 'full' experience.

    You can buy grey market too which gets you a watch, but without manufacturer warranty. This is somewhat cheaper, but comes with tradeoffs.

    You can also buy used from many dealers and watch shops. You need to be careful about what you're getting this way as there is less oversight and more potential for buying something that is not quite what you thought.

    You can buy from eBay, but it can be a minefield. It can also be a great way to get a good deal on a watch if you're careful.

    One of the best places to buy one of these watches is through the Sales forums, especially here (but others are ok too). OF doesn't have much tolerances for scammers and frauds, so the watches listed here are often vetted by members and fakes and frankens are removed or called out. I'd recommend taking a spin through the listing in the FS section. There are many members here from the UK.

    Most importantly of all, educate yourself. There are many great resources for speedies. Speedmaster101.com and the Moonwatch Only book are indispensable. Spend time here and get to know the watches. And always ask here before you buy, especially if you're buying used. You will see many threads with people asking for help with a particular watch and you will save yourself some £ and some heartache by doing so.

    Best of luck, and enjoy the hunt!
     
  4. Dombo63 Jun 24, 2015

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    They advertise as a shop. I would be paying them for the watch which they "source" from Authorised Dealers. I'm guessing they are acting as agent so principal would be the AD. Watches are sourced from across the EU. I just wondered if anybody had experience of dealing with brokers. There seem to be a few in UK.
     
  5. STANDY schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector Jun 24, 2015

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    If it sounds too good to be true.


    RUN
     
  6. DAM Jun 24, 2015

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    Find out if they agree to act as your agent in the purchase. Yes, it matters.
     
  7. Event horizon faux seller of watches and complete knobhead Jun 24, 2015

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    You need to go into your local AD and look at what watches you are interested in. Ask politely if they will move on price which they most certainly will. Don't take the first discount they offer you and be prepared to walk away the first couple of times if the discount isn't enough. Show them what you can buy the watch for from a grey dealer. Don't ask them to match or beat the grey dealers price but ask them to come close to those prices. If you can get them down to within a couple of hundred pounds of the greys prices snatch their hands off. It is much safer to buy from an AD with the proper warranty than run the gauntlet with other suppliers.
    One more tip, wear a decent time piece when looking at watches that way they know your serious as you have already got one on your wrist. If you haven't got a good watch try and borrow one it works wonders.
     
  8. Davidt Jun 24, 2015

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    I asked at a UK high street jeweller not long ago and was instantly offered 15% off. Pretty sure I could've pushed it further.
     
  9. Glenn Jun 25, 2015

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    If the Jeweller you are talking about is based in Blackburn then I've used them and had a good experience. The warranty is international so is valid.
     
  10. OmegaSean Jun 25, 2015

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    I got a 17% discount from an AD in the UK I paid £374 over the Grey Maket (iconic watches) who are the cheapest but a long way from me, in London the difference worked out at £274 compered to the AD I bought my PO Ti from. Also my AD resize my watch & assured me if I wanted anything changed another link taken out just to pop back in, they also sent me a full valuation certificate for replacement not what I paid for my insurance company.
    The AD said buying from a Grey Market you are buying a second hand watch as the Grey Dealer buy the watch & sell it to you, it could come from anywhere in Europe & the warranty card will be stamped from the original dealer. TBH when your spending 5K couple hundred pound is here or their over the lifetime of the watch. Just my two pennies worth
    OmegaSean
     
  11. Paul01 Jun 25, 2015

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    Hi mate

    Just ordered mine after some very carefull consideration via Iconic see my earlier thread.
    Yes they arnt an AD yada yada yada and you may need to wait a little.

    But they were totally upfront, very open to some rather probing questions, no cheesy "its the true James Bond watch Sir", suits you sir, sales pitch (which I just hate) other forums have positive reports in numerous positive reports and lets face it these forums would light up if it were otherwise.
    I also hate having to negotiate hard when ive cash in a bag ready to spend.

    Before you write off a proxy buyer check out the trustpilot reviews of your AD... mine were frankly rubbish vs Iconics whose were glowing.
     
  12. OmegaSean Jun 25, 2015

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    Paul01 when we going to see the pictures

    OmegaSean
     
  13. Paul01 Jun 25, 2015

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    Hi mate

    Expect to have in in about 2 weeks last update is that order has been placed with the AD. Personally I don't rush anything... So im ok with waiting considering that ive been looking researching contemplating and trying on of various brands for a little over 2 years now...

    P
     
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  14. Paul01 Jun 25, 2015

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    Did you see the pic of my old De-Ville OmeagaSean its due a strip and service but im dammed if I can identify the model
     
  15. OmegaSean Jun 25, 2015

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    Yes know what you mean about researching I spent around 3 months searching for what I wanted. Didn't see the pics of the Deville you got a link ?
    OmegaSean
     
  16. Paul01 Jun 25, 2015

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  17. Dombo63 Jun 26, 2015

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    Thanks for all advice and PMs. I have tried both on and discovered an awkward mid-life problem. While holding the Speedy at arm's length I can see the dial in perfect pin-sharp clarity, whereas at the slightly shorter distance when worn on the wrist it becomes a blur. Rough position of hands is OK to tell the time but the fine detail of tachymetre and chrono dials are lost. The Seamaster on the other hand, is still blurred but the simpler dial means less detail is lost.
    Further complications are that there are so many different models, movements etc.....I sense a new and interesting hobby developing...
     
  18. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jun 26, 2015

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    When your eyes are like mine and yours, you start to appreciate brands like Panerai...large dials, large hands and numbers, easy to read even when very blurry! ;)

    [​IMG]

    Cheers, Al
     
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  19. djmusicman Jun 26, 2015

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    get pre owned and look for the best condition example you can find, thats the best way to get bang for buck! if you get a speedy go for one with a tritium dial!
     
  20. Hijak Jun 28, 2015

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    Main reason I sold my Speedmaster triple date. All of the small print on a busy black dial, very hard to see with my old eyes.