Absolutely do NOT use the word "original" in describing ANY watch that's had key parts replaced. You can use "authentic". Once the watch is altered from the way it originally left the factory it is no longer original.
Absolutely do NOT use the word "original" in describing ANY watch that's had key parts replaced. You can use "authentic". Once the watch is altered from the way it originally left the factory it is no longer original.
This is a great thread for finding sellers to mark as avoid at all cost.
I agree there should be a different standard for sellers and buyers - obviously higher for the seller. But I will repeat what I said: as a relatively picky buyer, if a part is replaced from the same vintage, by the same company, for cosmetic purposes only, and does not hide undisclosed damage, I really don't care if I'm informed of that change.
Absolutely do NOT use the word "original" in describing ANY watch that's had ANY parts replaced.
Near impossible to know with certainty what is "original" on ANY decades old watch.
I prefer much the term "correct" to describe parts that are as they should have been at the time the watch left the factory. Even then, there is room for differing opinions, or transitional references.
I think that goes way too far. There are parts in a watch that are supposed to be replaced every so often, like mainsprings, crowns and seals. This is true even if the watch is NOS and was never touched by human hands since new.
So long as the correct part is used, I'm OK using the term "original". However, a disclaimer should be used regarding a unknown service history of a watch. For watches where the original parts have been discontinued and factory replacements have been installed, this should be mentioned as well. Very few sellers possess this kind of knowledge, so it's really not fair to expect it.
You can't legislate perfection.
gatorcpa
I respectfully disagree. A lot of misunderstandings come about when a descriptive term is interpreted differently between two people. Let me give an example of how I would use original. If I bought a new watch and sold it in say 6 months without any service, then I feel correct in describing it as original.
If I kept it for 6 years and sold it after it had been serviced and say for example seals and the mainspring had been replaced, I wouldn't describe it as "original" as it no longer contained all the parts it had when it left the OEM. "Correct" or "Manufacturer's Original Specification" would be my descriptions of choice.
