Is the serial number drilled out or defaced in some way? Sure looks like it and that would make me suspicious.
Thanks! I had noticed something funny about that scraped thing but failed to realize that was the serial # .
The defacing of the serial number is used sometimes on modern watches that are sold gray market to prevent trace back to the original dealer. On vintage movements I am not sure why this is done, but I would stay away.
Well, whaddaya know! I had a stainless steel Constellation 168.025 that had the last 5 digits of the serial number drilled out in exactly the same manner. It was a 1969 caliber 564. Thanks Norm!
I can't tell from the picture if the numbers have been drilled or just scraped, but the story would probably make sense. Since import taxes in Brazil are ridiculously high most people tend to buy watches and many other good when on holiday, and Florida has for many decades been a shopping destination for well-off Brazilians. On the other hand, I wouldn't like to have a watch that is of debatable provenance. I'm in two minds, really... What would you guys do?