Two buying strategy questions plus one about PO model choice

Hi,

Following on from my first post a few days ago about watch choice (thanks everyone - really, really helpful) and still being a beginner, I just wanted to do a little due diligence before pressing the trigger.

For simplicity, please assume all of the below scenarios relate to good condition watches from reliable sellers with no imminent service due. These are watches that I intend to wear often (no diving).

1) If buying pre owned obviously having the paperwork and box is preferred, but would you consider forgoing these for a £500 discount? (I'm not intending to resell, but never say never).

2) If there's 'only' a £700 difference between a 10 year old and 3 year old version, should I go for the more expensive and recent version, or actually for watches like this should I be less concerned about their age (it makes me feel nervous buying something 10 years old, although I realise this is proposal misplaced logic... peace of mind anyone?).

3) In terms of a PO, would you go for an older PO 42mm 2500 calibre or a newer PO 42mm 8500 calibre? for info (I have discounted the very new PO 43.5mm 8900 calibre since this might be too bulky, although I might try on the 38.5mm 8800 calibre).

Thanks so much.

I will offer to get the right size watch as top priority. The 8800 PO is actually 39.5mm

I will certainly leave questions 1 and 2 to those with more knowledge.

Regarding question 3, I recently tried the 8500/42mm and 8900/43.5mm back to back. The 8900 was slightly thinner, and although listed at 43.5, I actually thought it wore slightly smaller on my wrist than the 8500. Clearly YMMV. All that said, neither is what I would consider small. I really find myself liking the 2500 best, and think that will be the choice as my first Omega.

If there's a potential you might sell in the future (and if you're saying "never say never" now, I'd suggest your mindset could easily change drastically after some time with the watch, so I wouldn't discount the chance you may want to sell in future to get something else you've fallen in love with) then I personally think you'll put off a lot of private buyers if you don't have the box and papers. Obviously this can make it very difficult to sell unless you're prepared to come down a lot on price, or really are in no rush to sell (perhaps both). I personally don't think the discount many sellers give you for missing box and papers is enough (based on resale)... But then I can see there has to be a limit to the discount... After all, the main item is the watch, the box and paperwork are really just provenance for yourself and potential future buyers.

I'd have no problem buying a 10 year old watch, but if I was spending considerable money on it I'd want to see proof of a fairly recent service.

I don't think you can go wrong with any PO, go for whatever you like the most, they are all great. I personally think the 2500 PO looks a bit dated, but I also think my 8900 PO is a bit on the blingy side. I'd potentially like to try an 8500, but they aren't much cheaper than the 8900 used.