Which ones got away?

Adam2941 · Jan 10, 2023

What watches "got away" that you regret? Either you did not bid, or did not bid high enough, or if a sale situation you simply opted out and later regretted it? Here is one of mine that got away (seller's pics): this Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date with a roulette date wheel, maybe c. 1959-1960?. It's not the most collectable model, and not in perfect condition, but it is an uncommon model, and it has an understated, rugged simplicity that I find very attractive. Plus I like date watches because I can never remember the date! The case back looks reasonably unpolished; as for the the front, I can't tell but looks OK. I think this could have been a daily wearer for me.

It sold on eBay about eleven years ago for a pretty high price for those days, and I wish I had bid more aggressively. It could have easily been "thrown back in the pond" if I ended up changing my mind. Oh well, there are many more that I did buy that I wish I hadn't, so maybe it all works out (or doesn’t?)!

Let's see yours!

Pascal S · Jan 10, 2023

For me, the one that immediately comes to mind is the Omega FIFA referee watch ref. ST 11003.

4215c3_1e7d336781724a99ae78d948d08ff275~mv2.png

In 2005, I had stumbled upon a badly listed eBay auction for one. It didn't look as good as the one pictured above, as the crystal was scratched and the case had a few nicks and had obviously been polished, but the dial and hands were perfect. Bidding stopped at $830 and I stupidly declined to go any further, not realizing how rare this watch was at the time. I've been kicking myself over this ever since...

STANDY · Jan 10, 2023

https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-ones-that-got-away.113482/

zebrespace · Jan 10, 2023

This one, that I sold in 2016, and I have only this pic

Adam2941 · Jan 10, 2023

STANDY
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-ones-that-got-away.113482/

Thanks, I actually searched for this and it did not come up, even using the words “got away.”

Dan S · Jan 10, 2023

Adam2941
Thanks, I actually searched for this and it did not come up, even using the words “got away.”

😁

Screen Shot 2023-01-10 at 7.47.59 AM.png

Adam2941 · Jan 10, 2023

Dan S
😁

https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-ones-that-got-away.113482/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-one-who-got-away.89334/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/which-one-got-away-in-2018.87557/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/tough-question-the-one-that-got-away.103299/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/another-one-which-got-away-ug-22492.124344/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-s...300-the-one-that-almost-got-away.88946/page-3
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the...t-away-the-white-dial-railmaster-story.60774/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/the-one-that-got-away.7794/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/just-missed-watches-how-about-yours.84161/

Dan S · Jan 10, 2023

Adam2941

that’s why I use google as shown

Canuck · Jan 10, 2023

I rue the day that a guy brought me a rare 24-jewel Illinois pocket watch in a 14-karat gold case. He had a handshake deal with a scrap dealer who wanted to buy the just the case. The owner asked me to remove the movement so the case could be weighed. I weighed it, and made him an offer of more than the scrap dealer would be paying. He was bound to honour the deal with the broker, so my offer was declined. A year or so later, he phoned me and asked if I wanted the Illinois movement only, for $500.00. I am certain he would have been uncomfortable had he attempted to put the movement where the sun don’t shine!

mehqwatches · Jan 10, 2023

A perfect condition LeCoultre Baron got away from me not too long ago. Not that they are worth a ton of money, but I just liked the uniqueness of it. I will be scouring the internet for another but unfortunately every example I find doesn’t work or life has taken quite a toll on them!

Omegafanman · Jan 11, 2023

I got to try this on and had a chance to buy it in 2021.
For several good reasons I did not buy it. In hindsight I sometimes wish I had bought it.
My head still says it was the right call….. but…….

dsio · Jan 11, 2023

Adam2941

Dan S
that’s why I use google as shown

We are working on the next version of the site with better search, it annoys me too that our search isn’t good enough.

Adam2941 · Jan 11, 2023

mehqwatches
A perfect condition LeCoultre Baron got away from me not too long ago. Not that they are worth a ton of money, but I just liked the uniqueness of it. I will be scouring the internet for another but unfortunately every example I find doesn’t work or life has taken quite a toll on them!

Photo please? I don’t know what a Baron is, and they don’t seem to come up on Google.

zebrespace · Jan 11, 2023

Another one that I sold and regret because very rare

Felix_La_PuBelle · Dec 6, 2025

This one just got away. A very clean looking 145.022-69 with 220 error bezel and an EOA. Posted on a dealer’s website for months at a price that seemed a bit ambitious but given the apparent condition I couldn’t blame them.

I was biding my time because I needed to save up even if the price came down. It was sitting on the dealer’s website for months and I would check in every now and then to make sure it was still there.

Then a couple weeks ago the price suddenly went down. I still wasn’t in a position to start a purchase conversation but felt that I needed to get serious soon because I surely wasn’t the only one watching it.

And just as I started to put things in place for a possible purchase I check the site and it’s gone. Poof! 💨

I could look on the bright side and say it’s money I could probably find better uses for, but darn if it doesn’t still sting a bit.

Post script: my loss could be someone else’s gain. Anyone looking to offload a good condition 220 bezel speedy may find me in a generous emotional state until I’m through all the stages of grief.

Mediocre · Dec 6, 2025

Traded into a UN Classico Manufacture, but it was part of an active consolidation. Plans were to move it on before it arrived. I followed through in a mindset of "stick to the plan". Looking back, should have just moved something else

clockoclock · Dec 10, 2025

This slipped away very recently, just a couple of weeks ago. A 366.0847. I could’ve gotten it cheap on an auction, but because of work I missed the last minutes of the bidding. Pissed me off properly afterwards. It had a box that wasn’t original, that I could’ve sold. The bracelet wasn’t original either, but could’ve sold that too as there were original bracelets for the model available on the net.
The price it slipped away for? Merely 445€. Minus what I would’ve gotten back from the sales.