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URGENT ADVICE! Buyer is claiming item is not new and not authentic. How should I proceed?

B
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As attached, I sold an SMP 300 bracelet which had previously been on a Summer Blue SMP 300. It was new, sealed, unworn (except for trying on) due to preference of a rubber strap.

I sold the bracelet as pictured, explaining that it was removed due to this preference, however, they claimed they had taken the bracelet to an Omega boutique and requested a refund due to the following:

Item not new, unlikely in Omega's opinion to be from a Seamaster Summer Blue and noted a number of abnormalities on the bracelet, links and clasp. Abnormalities mentioned were the lack of loctite on the bracelet screws, shallow positioning of the screws in the links, the half link not being compatible with the full link.

The buyer now wants to return it having removed all of the seals and seemingly scratched the PUSH part on the clasp. I feel as though Omega are obviously going to express caution and want buyers to purchase direct… How can I successfully dispute this and what would you do in this situation?

IMG_0377.webp IMG_0378.webp IMG_0380.webp IMG_0382.webp IMG_0381.webp IMG_0385.webp IMG_0383.webp IMG_0503.webp IMG_0500.webp
 
B
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*last pic is from the buyer trying to explain ‘shallow screws’ - this seems fine to me?
 
ErichKeane
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Quite a few of those screws (left 2 in particular) are sitting quite a bit higher, but IDK if that is common. That left most screw's corrosion is, IMO, a bigger concern.

But "screws not loctited" and "screws not all the way in" seems like a little odd of a reason to consider it a fake, I would think markings/materials/etc would be a better reason. I don't know enough about the bracelets to know though.

EDIT: I just looked at the bracelet on my 300m.

The engravings are weird on yours, but that might be because of the plastic. The one on the inside of the bracelet near the endlinks looks particularly weird, but again, could just be the plastic messing with me.

I DO note my screw depths appear really consistent best I could tell (and I've resized it a few times, so some are me).

I don't get the complaint about the half-link above.
Edited:
 
ErichKeane
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Re-read: I see from the provenance that you're sure it is real. Whether you take this back is a business decision, but saying 'no' because of the damage seems completely reasonable.

To note: The people who work at the OB are NOT experts. They are just people who work in a watch store. SOME may be better informed than others (as there are some watch fans that work at some), but they have basically zero additional knowledge. So I would take anything from the OB and not a SC with a LARGE grain of salt.

For example: I was at my OB waiting for a watch to come out, and one of the sales folks was surprised to see the jump-hour on an AT when they got it out of the case for me. They basically get a few minutes 'demo' from other sales folks on the floor is their entire education on it. So yeah, I wouldn't treat their word as much of anything.
 
Meme-Dweller
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Why is your International Warranty card blank like that? These new METAS models come pre-printed from the factory with the reference and serial number.

I would be more concerned about the authenticity of the whole watch.
 
Dan S
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If you purchased the watch new, from an AD or OB, then you should be able to provide paperwork proving authenticity, e.g. an original invoice/receipt. If you did not purchase the bracelet and watch that way, then you should consider the possibility that you may actually have purchased a counterfeit bracelet or a bracelet that was pre-owned and transferred to that watch. Some plastic means nothing, they're not "seals."

A photo can't demonstrate the presence or absence of loctite. But it would be apparent to someone who removed a screw and inspected it. If the links are mismatched and the screws didn't have loctite, those are definitely flags.
 
Evitzee
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Once he monkeyed around with it, removed the protective tape, removed screws and scratched it, it's his. He has buyer's remorse and is looking for a way out at your expense. One question would be, what is the origin of this watch, are you sure it is authentic with proper paperwork and documentation? Is there any chance it is fake?
Edited:
 
Ron_W
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Evitzee Evitzee
Once he monkeyed around with it, removed the protective tap
Exactly that, you can not change a product and then want to return it.

Dan S Dan S
Some plastic means nothing,
The red one inside the clasp looks very original to me, as does the code on the last link.
 
Davidt
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Everyone saying that’s the buyer opened it etc so it’s his. Unfortunately that’s not how eBay works. Unless you can prove that it is authentic by way of a receipt and also show before/after pictures clearly showing the buyer Cas used wear, eBay are highly likely to side with the buyer and force you to accept a return.
 
Meme-Dweller
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Ron_W Ron_W
Exactly that, you can not change a product and then want to return it.


The red one inside the clasp looks very original to me, as does the code on the last link.
Disagree on the endlink. The inside of it looks like one big piece instead of separate pieces, and the overall brushing looks poor for a new bracelet.

The fakes also have those stickers, and the genuine ones from what I've seen don't have protective stickers on the inside of the clasp blade like that. Though blurry, the font seems to be wrong on the clasp with the '9' being most noticeable. Combined with the strangely blank warranty card, I'd question the authenticity of the whole watch. They do make a convincing Summer Blue 300M fake.

OP's:
1955856-21e4bf1995d4b1c9f9150ff255cde8f5.webp


Genuine:

09.webp
 
502 to right
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You have not told us what sales platform was used and the form of payment. And you have not told us how you obtained the bracelet. These are key pieces of information for us to provide reliable information.
Edited:
 
ErichKeane
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Ooof, I was suspicious of the bracelet initially, but wasn't sure enough given OPs sureness.

OP: you may wish to post more pictures of the dial, and if you can, the movement.
 
Ultraman Zoffy
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Meme-Dweller Meme-Dweller
Why is your International Warranty card blank like that? These new METAS models come pre-printed from the factory with the reference and serial number.

I would be more concerned about the authenticity of the whole watch.

That's exactly what I was looking at. This is my (redacted) card...
Screenshot 2025-08-16 120356.webp
 
ecarpino
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This thread is getting more and more interesting by the minute :🍿:

If it's a fake, it's not a bad one at all
 
Evitzee
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OP is online as I write this, he visited 3 minutes ago, but he hasn't provided any more information on origin of watch, sales venue, or better pictures of the watch head. Something doesn't line up here.
 
Porteroso
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Evitzee Evitzee
OP is online as I write this, he visited 3 minutes ago, but he hasn't provided any more information on origin of watch, sales venue, or better pictures of the watch head. Something doesn't line up here.
He came to the forum outraged at the buyer's actions, wanting some backup, and now is being told the whole thing might be fake. Quite the turn of events for OP. I might be in denial for a few hours.
 
redpcar
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I'm sure it is a crappy feeling. Been there. Burned by a Tudor sub and Airman. Wore them for years with pride.....then the gut punch.
 
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