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Strategies for buying vintage Speedmaster

A
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Hi all,

I am on the hunt for a vintage Speedmaster and would be interested in hearing other people’s strategies.

I live in a European country with a small watch market so realistically I could be waiting for a very long time for a good Speedmaster to come up for sale locally. The country I live in is also not in the EU and is not the UK. This means I have to pay a high rate of import tax wherever I buy the watch from which of course pushes up the cost.

I assume I would be paying a premium for watches from the US, UK or EU given that those already living there don’t need to worry about taxes.

So maybe buying from Japan or another country outside of these areas would represent the best value? Or do I just need to be patient and hope a bargain comes up locally? Or pay the taxes even if it pushes the watch past its theoretical value?

Interested to hear any thoughts on this!

Thanks.
 
ErichKeane
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A AHW
Hi all,

I am on the hunt for a vintage Speedmaster and would be interested in hearing other people’s strategies.

I live in a European country with a small watch market so realistically I could be waiting for a very long time for a good Speedmaster to come up for sale locally. The country I live in is also not in the EU and is not the UK. This means I have to pay a high rate of import tax wherever I buy the watch from which of course pushes up the cost.

I assume I would be paying a premium for watches from the US, UK or EU given that those already living there don’t need to worry about taxes.

So maybe buying from Japan or another country outside of these areas would represent the best value? Or do I just need to be patient and hope a bargain comes up locally? Or pay the taxes even if it pushes the watch past its theoretical value?

Interested to hear any thoughts on this!

Thanks.
Every time I try to 'save' money on a watch, I regret it. You end up getting a watch that you've 'given something up' for. "Overpay"ing for a watch is WAY better than having a watch that 'isn't the one', that you then take a haircut on reselling.
 
ibis888
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Reach out to William (aka Speedmaster 101) via his website www.speedmastersales.com and see if he can offer up a piece in your price range.

As others have said, do it right the first time - and buying through him is a way to virtually guarantee that.
 
Dan S
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If your country charges import duties and/or VAT, I think you obviously need to add that on top of the fair market value of the watch. That's not a premium on the watch, it's the price you pay to live in your country. If you get medical care, paid parental leave, a salary after retirement, etc., that's the payoff.
 
dsio
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If you're in a country with high duty, you're better off getting a watch within the domestic market if at all possible, it isn't just the avoidance of duty, its also the potential issues of returning it if there's an issue internationally and having to claim back your duties and taxes paid etc, the headache can become not worth it.

The UK market is in that category, its nearly always best to buy locally, EU typically should buy within EU for the same reason, Australia and US are more borderline, while low taxing countries including many in Asia should buy out of wherever they can most cheaply, which for a while now has been Japan in many cases.
 
lindo
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A AHW
Hi all,

I am on the hunt for a vintage Speedmaster and would be interested in hearing other people’s strategies.

I live in a European country with a small watch market so realistically I could be waiting for a very long time for a good Speedmaster to come up for sale locally. The country I live in is also not in the EU and is not the UK. This means I have to pay a high rate of import tax wherever I buy the watch from which of course pushes up the cost.

I assume I would be paying a premium for watches from the US, UK or EU given that those already living there don’t need to worry about taxes.

So maybe buying from Japan or another country outside of these areas would represent the best value? Or do I just need to be patient and hope a bargain comes up locally? Or pay the taxes even if it pushes the watch past its theoretical value?

Interested to hear any thoughts on this!

Thanks.
And to the thoughtful comments already posted, I add that it was smart of you to ask for advice on this forum.

It is far more common for recent buyers to ask us for advice on their purchase after the event. Often the comments they receive are not what they want to hear.
Edited:
 
Larry S
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I’d add. Study Speedmaster101.com and buy a copy of Moon Watch Only.
 
dsio
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Don't get hung up on needing to have a 321, there are some very special early vintage Speedmasters that have all of the feel, authenticity, and NASA usage, without having the 321, a DON bezel, a flat-link bracelet, or the associated price tag.

The Cal 861 145.022-69 DNN is my pick for value in the vintage Speedys

 
calalum
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Do some research, chase down some options, and then get on an airplane.
 
A
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Dan S Dan S
If your country charges import duties and/or VAT, I think you obviously need to add that on top of the fair market value of the watch. That's not a premium on the watch, it's the price you pay to live in your country. If you get medical care, paid parental leave, a salary after retirement, etc., that's the payoff.

That is very true and a good mindset to have, even if it is a little hard to accept! Particularly when working with a limited budget.

ErichKeane ErichKeane
THIS is dangerous advice. This is how you get a millionty speedmasters.

Just looking on the forum has caused this. Originally I was thinking of getting a 145.022 like dsio suggests above, but my mind has been opened to so many possibilities now. And there is definitely a romance to a 321 movement that is hard to ignore, but in my budget I would probably end up with a poorer example. Although this is something I am ok with as long as the dial, case and movement are good. I can always address smaller cosmetic issues later.

But thanks everyone for the feedback. It seems like my focus should be to just try and find the best watch possible within my budget and accept the taxes are inevitable. Patience is not a strong ability of mine so unless I am very lucky I think the local option is probably a no go!
 
SOG53
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I would start with 145.022 -69 with 861 movement. They are plentiful and budget 3500 - 5000 USD, plus service cost 800-1000 range.
Buy one, get it serviced and wear it. Only then will you discover how you really feel about it.
You can try to save a bit and buy from an estate seller on EB but IMO you are better off buying from a fellow collector here on OF Private Sales. If you don’t have easy access to watchmaker w Omega parts acct some OF selllers can have watch serviced for you at cost before shipping.
Bargain hunting for vintage Speedmaster is not realistic for a new collector you just need a realistic budget and jump in with a decent one from a trusted source.
Good luck!
 
Larry S
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
THIS is dangerous advice. This is how you get a millionty speedmasters.
Hasn’t increased my collection. Sala was a far more deadly tome.
 
Felix_La_PuBelle
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SOG53 SOG53
Bargain hunting for vintage Speedmaster is not realistic for a new collector you just need a realistic budget and jump in with a decent one from a trusted source.
+1
 
hansaboy
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SOG53 SOG53
Buy one, get it serviced and wear it. Only then will you discover how you really feel about it.
So true!!
👍👍👍
 
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