Korean Job Discussion Forums

[cdninkorea]

I'm looking at getting a watch, and my budget is about $1000. I'm thinking that buying a used really nice watch (e.g. Omega, Cartier, etc.) at a pawn shop (in Canada, around the Kangwon casino, or wherever) might be a good idea- fine watches are meant to last forever, right? But I have some concerns:

1) Can a used fine watch be had for this price?
2) Can I be sure a used watch is authentic?
3) Can I be sure a used watch is reliable, i.e. it won't break? Do warranties apply to second hand watches?
4) Where else besides pawn shops can I look for used watches?

I bought a new Movado (not cheap) a few years ago, and within a month it broke because I went swimming with it and water leaked inside. It said "water resistant" on the booklet that came with it, but it also said water damage wasn't covered by the warranty, so I was basically screwed.

Anyway I don't want a repeat of what happened with the Movado. Is buying a used watch a good idea or am I better off buying a new watch of lesser prestige?

[Globutron]

The concept of a 'real' watch blows me away. I just put 500 won into a kids machine and get a pokemon/power ranger watch.

I don't think I've ever paid �700 for anything in my life. Including housing.

But This isn't much help, sorry. I'm too young to have class.

[kiknkorea]

I would buy new just for the warranty and I'd just rather have a new one.

A bit of info about Omega (and many others).

http://www.your-guide-to-watches.com/omega-wrist-watch.html

[guava]

If you want to swim with a watch you need to look at waterproof watches.
If I wanted to submerge a watch in water I would get at minimum a 200 meter watch.
The most I would do with a 100 meter watch would be to take a shower.

Waterproof watches are tested in static condition. Swimming is a dynamic condition.
Thats why 100 meters sounds good, but its not so good as it sounds.
Getting bumped and knocked around is different than remaining in a static condition.

Of course people do swim with 50 and 100 meter watches, but its not what I would do. You could be happy with a 100 meter watch.
There are 200 meter watches that are designed to look like a dive watch, and there are 200 meter watches that are rather slim and dressy looking.
If being waterproof and durable is the criteria, you could spend less than that for a new one.

[Leafs42084]

[Unposter]

I don't consider myself an "expert" but I do know a little. There a lot of discount watch sellers on the Internet. Do some searches and compare prices. Then, go to your local pawn shop and use the information to haggle. See if you can get a good price. And, you should be able to get a certificate of authenticity, though those can just as easily be forged but I guess it could be used as a legal document if there was dispute - I guess.

I would specifically ask about warantees. Most won't come with one unless you pay for it.

I don't know much about Omega but a used Rolex can easily go for 3 -4,000 U.S. dollars, sometimes more.

Materials can be as important as craftmanship. What type of crystal or jewel does it use? What kind of movement does it have? Is it made from real gold? Personally, I like saphire crystals and swiss movement but some of this is up to your preference.

Brand names add a lot of value but not all brand names are worth their price but those are decisions you will have to make.

You can get a good watch from a mid-level company such as Seiko for around $100 (maybe less) off the Internet. You may find that the best values are at around $100 or over $3,000 and the stuff imbetween is not that great but again a lot depends on your taste.

[young_clinton]

Pawn shop Never buy anything at a pawn shop unless it's something you know you can't otherwise find elsewhere. They are way overpriced. If you buy a used expensive watch make sure the seller has an ORIGINAL RECEIPT from an AUTHORIZED DEALER of the watch brand. The authorized dealers can be found online if you go to the watch makers website. Every watch brand has cheap fakes, sort of cheap fakes and quality fakes. Go to MBK in Bangkok and you will see the cheap and the quality fakes being sold. Be very careful!

[cdninkorea]

[Patrick Bateman]

[Xuanzang]

[wishfullthinkng]

You can definitely get a great watch for 1000 used but I wouldn't trust a pawn shop. If you want a head turner that is a great watch for what you are looking for, I suggest checking out Ball Watches. Or if you want to save yourself some money just go with a good but cheap Japanese movement piece like a solid Seiko or Citizen. They both make great watches that will do what you want for a much cheaper price than a Swiss-movement watch.

[ulsanchris]

Some guy on the buy and sell forum is (was) trying to sell an expensive watch. Why don't you check that out?

[madoka]

[madoka]

[Patrick Bateman]