This is a long story, so if you dont care about it, and just want pics, skip to the end

Few weeks ago I was looking through eBay just to see what is new, and stumbled on really shitty ad for SM200 Pre Bond. 3 blurry pics, brand new seller with 0 rating, spidey senses are tingling of scam. Starting bid was $471, BIN $750. Only reason I was kinda curious about it is due to it being full size Automatic, gold and SS version. Waited for 6 days to see what would happen, there were 3 watchers (or so the listing said) Figured I will roll the dice and put a min bid. If it is scam, worse that can happen is I get my money back after few weeks, since PP holds sellers funds for 3 weeks before they have 10 sales. This is their safety in case it is a scam. With 5 seconds to go I put min bad and win.

Pay for it through eBay via PP right away, but then I see message stating that payment has been made, but it is pending (in ebay). I never saw this before, so now I am thinking scam for sure. Go to PP to see what is going on, payment is shown as pending, and message saying that seller hasnt accepted payment yet. I wait for few hours to see if seller will accept, nothing. I send him an email asking if he will accept, after few hours still nothing. I give up, go to PP and cancel the payment thinking scam for sure. Cancel option was there as seller never accepted the payment, but eBay was still showing as payment pending. Few hours after I get a message from seller apologizing for the delay and saying he is ready to ship, but isnt sure if he needs to ship to eBay or to me. I figured he he is probably new to the whole eBay and PP thing, so I reply back. He said he will ship out as soon a PP confirms payment, so I told him that I canceled it few hours before as I wasnt sure what was going on and thought it was scam. He apologizes again and asks what can we do about this.

I call PP and eBay, tell them what is going on, PP says he needs to call them and get his account properly setup, as it is not even active, eBay says he needs to cancel current transaction, relist the item and then I can buy it and pay for it again. I send him all that info and wait. No response for 3 days, so I think he bailed. Then message comes again apologizing and saying it took him time to setup PP properly and he is ready now. He relisted the item next day for BIN of $471 as that is that I paid, and I purchase it (It was listed for about an hour before he sent me a message so someone could have BIN-ed it if they wanted) I send payment again and again it is shown as pending. Give him info and after few hours payment finally goes through. I get tracking next day and sure enough 3 days after it arrives. It is packed in a small envelope, wrapped inside few pieces of tissues, stuffed inside a Pal Mal cigarette box. I got a good laugh when i saw that.

Watch is dirty and will need service. Few scratches on the bezel, but nothing major. Bezel rotates around perfectly. Clasp is missing gold insert, but not a big deal. Movement looks to be in really good shape, nice and clean. Serial number on the case matches movement one. Only small issue is that crown cannot be tightened back into its place. I can wind the watch, change date and move hands around, so I think it just needs replacement stem. When i push crown in, it moves, but it doesnt want to catch on and tighten like my AT does. I would say gamble paid off this time. eBay had promo for 20% off on watches (max $50) on the last day when I bough it, so I got it for $431 all in.

If you are still with me, here are some pics I just took

 

Wonderful, very cheap and rather rare! The full size are rare, the autos are rare and the gold bezel are rare, that must make yours triple rare!. Here is my merely double rare steel auto fs version

 

Yes, I told myself that if I was ever to get one of these, it would have to be a full size Automatic for sure. Gold or SS didnt matter as much. Truth be told I wasnt sold on gold until i saw it. It looks better than in the pictures.

 

Nice pick up

 

Funny story and great watch. I love these pre-bonds. I had to 'settle' for the mid size auto, but it was a near mint full set so I couldn't resist.

You may already know this but the bezel isn't plated - it's full gold. You got a great deal!

 

I thought I read that bezel was full gold before, but couldnt find that info again. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

Thanks for an interesting story, that certainly didn't look good at all!
Yep full gold only on Omega bezels, my champagne dialed full size 1441 (TC Quartz) says hello ;-)

 

Well played lad.

 

I just pulled the trigger for the same watch. 1441 Cal and Champagne Dial.....al for 350€

 

Should the hand on this watch look like the first picture posted on this thread? In some case I see a different type of hand ( see attached picture).

Thank you

 

I think yours is a second generation version, while the OP’s is first generation. I have the stainless steel, quartz version with hands like yours.

 

All steel here!

 

Just been delivered at home......it's a real beauty...cal. 1441 full size

 

this was my first ever omega watch it was a long story but cost me £0 wore it for years infact its why I joined OF as Archer got me some parts for it

 

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You had a better deal.......happy for you. I'm already in love with this watch. It is so pleasant ti wear. ...