What’s the point?

Paulmw · Oct 7, 2022

I don’t have one, but just wanted to share my recent watch buying experience

I posted a question a while back about what to buy for $500 as I wanted another watch and my Omega 300 Seamaster was in for a long service (and still is). Anyway, decided to go for a vintage Omega (to cheer me up) and bought an eBay 1970’s Omega Constellation, recommended from this forum. It took about 6 weeks to arrive (USA to Aus), beautiful watch, but didn’t seem to work when received (despite sellers description) Took it to a watchmaker who demagnetised it, didn’t work, and he gave me a quote to service it more than I paid for it. Got back in touch with the eBay seller and returned for full refund. (eBay seller was fantastic and very honest)

Jumped back on my previous recommends for $500 post and bought a Hamilton Khaki field auto, which i love. So maybe I do have a point, just not sure what it is

S.H. · Oct 7, 2022

Pretty common experience. You bought something you did not see up close over the internet, it was not working properly because there are lots of sellers but very few qualified watchmakers.

It just means that to enjoy something old and complex, you have to know someone willing to repair it first, and then add the price of a service to the price you bought it for. Not rocket science but everyone seems to forget this these days...

It is just too easy to buy on the internet maybe.

t268 · Oct 7, 2022

S.H.
Pretty common experience. You bought something you did not see up close over the internet, it was not working properly because there are lots of sellers but very few qualified watchmakers.

It just means that to enjoy something old and complex, you have to know someone willing to repair it first, and then add the price of a service to the price you bought it for. Not rocket science but everyone seems to forget this these days...

It is just too easy to buy on the internet maybe.

It usually takes getting burned once before that thinking comes on your radar. Glad the OP was able to get his money back.

JwRosenthal · Oct 7, 2022

It’s kind of like what I used to say about e34 BMW M5’s back in my active BMW days- they are $25k cars- you can buy one for $15k and spend more than $10k+ trying to get it back up to snuff, or just wait for a good one at $25k.
C-cased Connie’s are $1-1.3k watches. You may be able to find one for $500, but by the time it’s serviced and you track down a bricks bracelet, it will cost you $1-1.3k.
Glad you were able to get you money back and found a fun daily watch you can beat the crap out of for the next 25 years

S.H. · Oct 7, 2022

JwRosenthal
It’s kind of like what I used to say about e34 BMW M5’s back in my active BMW days- they are $25k cars- you can buy one for $15k and spend more than $10k+ trying to get it back up to snuff, or just wait for a good one at $25k.
C-cased Connie’s are $1-1.3k watches. You may be able to find one for $500, but by the time it’s serviced and you track down a bricks bracelet, it will cost you $1-1.3k.
Glad you were able to get you money back and found a fun daily watch you can beat the crap out of for the next 25 years

Indeed, cool cars but don't skimp too much on maintenance. Like the old audi s8 needing an overhaul : you could find them cheap, wonder why 😁

madjestikmoose · Oct 7, 2022

‘Caveat Emptor’ is the point that springs to mind here. Glad it all worked out well in the end. 👍

vintage hab · Oct 7, 2022

OF Private Sales forum has many listings under $500, and you’ll know exactly what you’re getting & at a fair price.

paddymoran · Oct 7, 2022

But even a watch keeping time may be in need of or due a service. Unless you trust the seller’s description it’s very difficult to know what you are buying when it comes to vintage watches. I’d suggest buyers need to typically factor in a service.

pdxleaf · Oct 7, 2022

Nice Hamilton.

No such thing as a free pet. Goes for vintage watches, too.

wagudc · Oct 7, 2022

When a vintage watch is advertised in "working" condition I assume there is nothing drastically wrong, but always budget in the cost of a service. With vintage watches, I often pay more for the service than I do for the service. For me a big part of collecting is preserving history, and keeping watchmakers in business. 👍

bananapeanut · Oct 7, 2022

Curious to know what you mean by "didn't seem to work."

Scarecrow Boat · Oct 7, 2022

Seller has it back up in "excellent running condition within chronometer parameters even today"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4039269762...-53200-19255-0&campid=5338788128&toolid=10001

Paulmw · Oct 7, 2022

bananapeanut
Curious to know what you mean by "didn't seem to work."

Would start, then stop, then not start at all. Seller said it may be magnetised due to customs clearance, which didn’t make any sense as they use X-rays, plus it would run fast. Which it didn’t. Seems an internal issue

Paulmw · Oct 7, 2022

Scarecrow Boat
Seller has it back up in "excellent running condition within chronometer parameters even today"
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4039269762...-53200-19255-0&campid=5338788128&toolid=10001

Exactly, that’s why I bought it. Packaging wasn’t damaged so not really sure. To be fair the seller was excellent and immediately offered a refund and to pay all my costs. I was just unlucky as it was a beautiful watch

johnireland · Oct 8, 2022

Hamilton has a long history of making good durable watches. And now they even make attractive ones. It has a vintage look in a modern watch. And it sounds as if your seller is an honest man. Maybe not the most knowledgable about watches, but he stood behind it and put his money where his mouth is. Bravo for him.

What’s the point?

Paulmw

S.H.

t268

JwRosenthal

S.H.

madjestikmoose

vintage hab

paddymoran

pdxleaf

wagudc

bananapeanut

Scarecrow Boat

Paulmw

Paulmw

johnireland

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