Unused Seamaster but no papers

Crunchie

I wouldn’t touch it.

Might be legit.

Might have been stolen from a dealer by someone trying it on.

Not worth the hassle.

MtV

Which would likely have been reported, so checking with the authorities regarding the serial might be an option?

AlphaToOmega

Putting whether the watch is legit to one side (which I wouldn't if I was you) I would look for a considerable discount. Probably too much for the seller to swallow. After all, if you ever want to sell it, it would be a nightmare to offload.

Urban

Yes, you are probably right. The more I think about it, I want to have a watch with original box and cards even if I never sell it…

Donn Chambers

I wouldn’t worry about the item being stolen. Although pawn shops have a bad reputation for dealing in stolen goods, this is not true. They are extremely careful not to buy stolen goods, as they will lose their money if the item turns out stolen. They check numbers against local and state registries, and they require a copy of a government-issued ID and fingerprints from the seller.

more than likely, someone needed a quick loan and took one out against the watch, then never paid it back. This is where pawn shops “steal” from the consumer - the interest rates are so high that unless you pay the loan back immediately, it’s often cheaper to actually give up the item you pawned, then pay the money to get it back.

I would be more worried the Seamaster is fake than it being stolen - some pawn shops are good at recognizing a fake Rolex, but not much else. If you are certain it is real and it is a fair price, I wouldn’t worry too much. With that said, since this is a limited edition, I would want the box and papers with it.

Yves86

I am in exactly the same situation as you were. Watch is being offered on a local platform with the serial numbers exposed, by a seller with 400+ positive reviews. He's asking 5100 euro for the watch which has been worn, but no big signs of wear. Papers and straps not included, box is.
To me it does sound like a good discount given the lowest priced on Chrono is 7k and within the EU 8.5k.

Crunchie

By “seller”, are we talking an individual or a business?
Worth doing a Google search for the serial number. They do get posted in threads on sites such as this forum when watches get stolen.
I’d say it’d be a very smart thief who grabbed the watch box during a burglary (unless the watch was kept in the box), and a gently worn watch is for me a different situation to a fully stickered one.

Yves86

He seems to be a small business, selling mostly watches (omega/rolex), but also clothes, antiques, etc. Reviews seem legit. I searched a few websites and google, serial number didn't popup. Will also try to call the police to see if there's a database they can check.

If it does turn out to be legit- would you think it's a good deal? (i'd be planning to wear it as my 'daily' watch, perhaps selling it at some point in the future)

cristos71

I wouldn't buy it. If you do you'll probably be the only one out there holding one without box and papers.....and if and when you want to sell you're always going to have to be explaining yourself and that ain't no fun!