Thoughts on Omega Seamaster 135.011 in Private Sales?

So is this one from our friend in Austria:


https://www.vintage-portfolio.com/en/shop/seamaster/serviced-omega-seamaster-black-dial/

He does have the manners to point out that it has been refinished, though.




Preposterous.

I don't know if original but at least lume dots on the right places and no paint creeping up markers.

However, they are the wrong size and the dial (which is a fantasy redial) has no Ts. Funnily enough the opposite of the issue with the Seamaster in the OP. A true example of two wrongs not making a right 😀

Thanks for your efforts Troels, I really appreciate it. After the watch got listed, I intended to buy it, but in the end had too many doubtd exactly because of the issues you previously mentioned. I pm’d the seller that I didn’t trust the watch, but didn’t feel confident enough to post my thoughts in the sales thread (which as I understand now is not allowed). The way you are handling this is a learning moment for me 👍!

I don’t see why one couldn’t start a Thread to discuss a watch offered for sale here, especially if one asks himself "Am I playing the man or playing the ball?" before posting, like @dsio recently suggested in another thread.

We discuss watches and parts sold elsewhere all day long so we should be able to discuss any sales offer listed here, between gentlemen, isn’t it?

That’d be playing the man. Let’s focus on the watches you offer instead (and eventually come to the same conclusion) 😀

I think discussions in the sales threads indirectly are unnecessary bumps, especially when/if there is a real issue with the listing but I understand your point @Dan S 😀

Since we are discussing the Sales Forum rules and how these are upheld, my view is that while we certainly could have the discussions in the other subfora, the issue is that items often get sold very fast here and often to new members who doesn't - for one reason or the other - trawl through the relevant fora for research. Still, old members recommend the new ones to go to the Private Sales for some deals from trusted sellers...

When discussion was allowed on FS posts, anyone could comment with reservations and questions which is in the buyer's favor. He or she would get the imminent reaction from the other members, be it "likes" or comments, but with the current regulation the Sales forum is the Wild West. Or at least in the seller's favour. It is free to post there, moderation is not done regarding content or wording, but only for the prevention of scamming and fraud and there are extremely few rules for posting. The public voice? Gone.

I feel that by disallowing members to openly comment on sales posts, a great asset of Omegaforums is wasted. Instead, we offer a cheap alternative to other sales sites. I am aware that moderators for the Sales fora aren't exactly hanging on the trees and I acknowledge the work being done, but surely only people with ill intent benefit from the current regulation?

Now, I am a frequent user of the Sales forum here, so why am I being so critical? Out of love. This is my second home and I feel that we should protect the values present here instead of downgrading the place.



How about FS posts didn't feature in the Latest feed? That way there would be no incentive for the dealers to clutter up the Private Sales subforum and we could focus on important topics like which straps to put on our Speedmasters.


EDIT: I wanted to add that the two current options for addressing issues with an item in the sales fora still are in favour of the seller. Contact a moderator? Contact the seller himself? Both are flawed options in the current setup. A moderator (I believe @DLT222 is the Sales Forum mod?) isn't always available, nor is he necessarily able to make a judgement (nor should he...) on the spot. The seller... Well, I have had limited success with that approach.

As I wrote - I love this forum and I love the lack of an elaborate rule set, but if you want a well-governed Sales Forum, you'll either need trust in the members to comment relevantly on the items OR you'll need hard and fast rules so that anyone acting shady can be reported. This halfway house of regulation isn't very good, IMO.

😀

I totally agree with all you've said, but I fear commenting on sales has to be all or nothing. If you allow it, or even try to restrict it to non-pricing comments, it quickly turns into a typical internet swamp. Like this:

"That's the fifth watch you (a so-called private seller) have offered for sale this month."
***mod delete*** not relevant to sale

"$14,000 seems high for a 1969 Speedmaster."
***mod delete*** pricing comments not allowed

"Not sure the condition of that watch is in line with others of that vintage."
***mod delete*** value comments not allowed

"That dial looks like it's been repainted."
++No it hasn't.
"Yes it has, here's an original example."
++No it hasn't, here's one like it.
"Yes it has, I'm an expert."
++No it hasn't, your mother wears army boots.