What Would Be The Right Price For A 2254.50 In This Condition?

To some, Rolex and Omega = Hatfields and McCoys.

Personally, there's not much that excites me about Rolex. I respect their quality and flat-out admire their incredible marketing. Who else has the entire world brainwashed as well as they do? Not Coke - there's Pepsi nipping at their heels. Not Sony either. I'd say the closest company is Apple but even they have a fairly large number of detractors. Very few normal people don't think Rolex is the end-all, be-all of watches.

Funny thing is, this caused me to get two watchmakers. One can't get Rolex parts (not that I deal with that brand all that often) and the other can't get Breitling parts (so he isn't too enamored with the brand).

Hi Guys - Interesting thread.... I noticed that the OP stated that he wasn't to fond of the fact that the watch came without box and papers but he knew someone who could authenticate it for him.
This is all well and good if you know someone, but what about if you don't?

I use the services of a very reputable Horologist whom specializes in checking the validity of watches, covering pretty much most brand and all for a very modest fee.
He supplies written documentation to confirm that the watch has been inspected, he also checks the watch against the Swiss Watch Database to see whether it has been reported either lost or stolen, if it hasn't, a certificate is issued by the checking authority to verify that the check has taken place and that the watch has no reports on it.
Rolex used to be a company you could call to check this yourself, but they no longer offer this service and thus the 'Validation Service' was created.
It is also possible to have your watch valued by the same professional, a certificate of appraisal is then issued, which is a legal document and is accepted by all major insurance brokers throughout the UK, EU & US.

Being new to the site I do not want to post the guys details on site and get myself banned, so all I will say is that should anyone feel they need the services of this gentleman, he comes very highly recommended and I would gladly pass his details on to any one who needs them.

If buying a pre owned watch, it is always best to check that it is not reported lost/stolen, because should you be unfortunate enough to purchase a watch that has been reported either lost or stolen, then the watch doesn't actually belong to you, but to either the original owner or the insurance company that paid out to the original owner. I am quite sure you would not buy a car without first running an HPI check on it, well why on earth would you spend a few thousand pounds on a watch when that too could have lots of hidden nasties. Imagine you buy a £4500 Rolex in good faith, try and sell it a few weeks later and end up getting arrested for handling stolen goods. Trust me, this has happened. Not only have you lost the watch but the £4500 you paid too.
For the sake of the cost of a decent leather watch strap, you can have total peace of mind, knowing the watch your about to buy is a genuine and clean watch.

Should anyone want to contact this guy, please contact me and I will pass you his details.

**MODERATOR - This is not advertising in any way shape or form, I am merely pointing out that should anyone wish to have their watch officially checked prior to purchase, I am happy to provide them with the details of a BHI registered Horologist that carries out such checks, I am making no financial gain by doing this, as a watch lover, I am simply making sure that no one gets burnt when buying a watch, should anyone choose to contact me or not is entirely up to them. I use this service whenever I purchase a watch, for I feel that as a responsible person I am obliged to do so, as I do not want to be the buyer of or the seller of watches that may not be all that they seem.

My father always told me 'its better to be safe than sorry' and I stand by that to this day!

Can't get Breitling parts? But surely any watch maker worth his salt knows that Breitling use ETA movements as base units, so parts are very much readily available.

And finally it has happened - the Chinese have gone and done it, they have replicated the 3035 and 3535 movements down to a tee, so accurately copied are they that the parts are actually interchangable with the real thing. Those that know about the counterfeit watch industry will know of the infamous Noob, now this guy owns his own factory, so its nothing for him to spend £12000-£15000 on a watch just so he can take it to pieces and replicate every single part of it. They have just done it with the Navy Seals Edition of the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor, I have seen the end result and it is absolutely 1:1 clone and the weight, the markings, the whole watch is absolutely amazing and you honestly would not know it wasn't real, even if you worked at Jaeger!
Its a huge market and one that people think churns out only the Rolex & Omega watches, but all brands are available, even brands that you would not think that they would bother copying, such as Seiko.

I have the Replica Watch Guide by Richard Brown on disc as a PDF file, anyone fancy a copy, drop me a mail! Its a very interesting read and a real eye opener!

Yes, and certain movement parts are easily substituted. Not all gaskets and case parts though.


I'd like to check that out.

Jinx! 😜

Inbox me and I will arrange to get a copy to you!

Sorry, I presumed you meant movement parts! D'oh!