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madoka
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
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 Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 12:10 am Post subject: Re: Do You Know Watches? Then Please Help Me! |
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| Patrick Bateman wrote: |
| That website has some amazing prices on watches. Have you ever bought a fine timepiece from them? |
No, but I have bought a couple thousand dollars in other luxury items from them. They are legit and widely known. Truth be told, I don't buy nice watches any more. After buying my Rolexes, I learned that I'm just not a watch person. I haven't worn them in over six years now and I've worn them a total of about 7 times. It's nice to know that I have them if I ever wanted to wear them, so I don't consider them to be a total loss. 
As for watches from jomashop, they are not authorized dealers for many of those brands, so they offer their own warranty. What I've found is that the warranty on high-end watches is pretty much a crock. The chances of a problem occuring during the short 1-2 year warranty period is very, very small, since the watches are built to last. After that, you're on your own anyways just as if you bought your watch from an unauthorized dealer such as amazon or jomashop. So I'd rather take the discount (which would probably cover the costs of repair in those rare situations anyways). |
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RW3
Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:17 pm Post subject: |
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| madoka wrote: |
| ulsanchris wrote: |
| Some guy on the buy and sell forum is (was) trying to sell an expensive watch. Why don't you check that out? |
If only that thread of awesomeness wasn't deleted. 
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Yeah pity that thread got deleted. It was a good read and quite funny too.
Btw I'm the OP of that thread. I suspect one of the poster got way too embarassed and reported the moderator to delete the thread. By doing so it will save him from further embarrassment. I wouldn't named him, but if you've been reading that thread you will know who it is 
I guess in the future he will think twice before poking his nose into other people business lol. Luckily I already printed that thread before it got deleted. I showed it to some friends and they just can't believe such looney exist in Korea. It's a scary thought and I do feel sorry for his students.
Anyway it's been fun and I'm quite surprised with the amount of views that thread was getting. As for the watch I still got it and intend of keeping it. Someone told me just to keep my tag and just buy another rolex instead. Good advice and I think I will listen to him.
I think this forum is awesome, apart from some wackos.  |
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RW3
Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject: Re: Do You Know Watches? Then Please Help Me! |
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| cdninkorea wrote: |
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? |
1) It's possible just need to look out for the bargain out there.
2) If you buy it privately from someone, best to bring the watch to the authorised dealer that selling branded watch to get it checked inside out. They will be able to tell you whether the watch is authentic. Most fake watch look quite obvious, but if you still can't tell....best to get the expert to open the watch and check the mechanical of the watch. Most fake watchmaker can only copied the look of the watch, but there is no way they can match the mechanical of the watch to the original one.
Also another thing to be certain is to check the serial number of the watch. So you can match it from the database of the shop that selling the watch originally. It's getting harder to track the original owner or the shop that the watch originally purchased from if you're the 5th or 6th owner of the watch. In my case I bought most of my watch brand new from the authorised shop, so if any doubt I can always refer it back to them.
3) Depending on how the previous owner looked after the watch. But most of the luxury watches are well known for it's quality and from my experience I have to say they're great and last for years and years to come. As for warranties, I think most only applies if you buy it from the shop. My tag heuer watch comes with the two years warranty from the date of purchase. But I'm not 100% sure whether I have to take the watch back to the shop that I originally purchased it from or any authorised tag heuer dealer if I have any problem with the watch.
4) I'm not sure where else you can look for a branded used watch, but I do can tell you the chances of finding someone selling a branded watch here is very slim. I advertised my tag heuer watch for sale here couple weeks ago and at the end it's getting almost 3,000 views and 8 pages full of berated comments and commotions lol. I guess this forum is not the right place to sell a branded watch.
Anyway good luck on your search for a good used watch. I'll say go with the tag or omega from my experience. They're really solid, although I'm thinking of rolex for my next upgrade. From what I heard rolex is a must have collection for a watch enthusiast out there. |
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tjmauermann
Joined: 21 Jan 2009
Location: Bundang
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 7:14 pm Post subject: |
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| I like the Eco-drives by Citizen 15 minutes of direct sunlight powers the thing for 6 months. They look stylish and I miss mine. Stolen and planning on picking one up as soon as I find a place here in Korea. |
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cdninkorea
Joined: 27 Jan 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:16 am Post subject: |
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| Well, as much as I want an Omega two-tone Constellation, they're out of my price range new and it looks like getting an authentic, reliable used watch is a gamble. But looking around online I've seen some nice Oris and especially Tag watches in my price range (especially at that place www.jomashop.com -how do they have such big discounts?). Thanks again everyone! |
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young_clinton
Joined: 09 Sep 2009
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 1:52 am Post subject: |
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Listen to what I say OP. If you buy an expensive used watch on the internet its going its going to come right out of Thailand, A FAKE. You have to know that the individual has a RECEIPT from an AUTHORIZED DEALER and I would confirm also that the watch was purchased from the authorized dealer by contacting the authorized dealer to see if the individual actually purchased it there.
I HAVE HAD WATCHES THAT LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE AUTHENTIC EXPENSIVE WATCHES ON MY WRIST THAT WERE 20 DOLLAR FAKES. i AM DEAD SERIOUS.
YOU NEED TO BUY A BRAND NEW LOW END BREITLING OR ROLEX OR TAG HEAUR WITH YOUR MONEY AND MAKE SURE THE STORE IS LISTED IN THE WATCH COMPANY WEBSITE AS AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. IF YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE YOU ARE BUYING A FAKE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WILL BE A HIGH END WATCH STORE OR JEWELRY STORE AT AN EXPENSIVE MALL OR IT WILL BE AN EXPENSIVE DEPARTMENT STORE. |
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madoka
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 10:39 am Post subject: |
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| cdninkorea wrote: |
| (especially at that place www.jomashop.com -how do they have such big discounts?). |
They are grey market watches. Here's a good primer:
http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/graymarket.shtml
What are 'gray market' watches?
There are many places where you can buy fine watches. The most important concept to understand before making a purchase decision is the difference between gray-market versus authorized dealers and how that affects the price, warranty coverage, and resale of a watch you purchase.
All genuine Omega, Rolex and other fine watches come from the maker's factory. The maker only sells them to authorized dealers and distributors. To establish and maintain an authorized dealer relationship and volume discounts, authorized dealers must make large initial investments in inventory and continue to purchase minimum quantities of watches over time. This can involve minimum initial and ongoing inventory purchase requirements as high as US$ 250,000 for a single dealer to carry each major brand.
For smaller dealers, this often forces them to purchase more watches than they can sell directly to their customers and to hold in inventory an excessive amount of merchandise of a single brand. So some authorized dealers sell off at wholesale prices the surplus to the 'gray market' of unauthorized dealers--who then sell the watches at heavier discounts than authorized dealers are allowed to. This is not explicitly illegal, but it usually violates the authorized dealer or resellers agreements with the manufacturer.
Gray market watches are genuine watches from the original manufacturer. They are not fakes or factory seconds. The only thing that makes them different is that they passed through an unauthorized dealer or reseller on the way to you. (Though occasionally, some less ethical gray market dealer may also sell old stock, returns, or refurbished watches as if they were 'new' merchandise.)
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What does it mean to me if I buy a gray market watch?
Gray market fine watches are typically available at discounts of 30-40%, compared to the maximum 20% discount the authorized dealers are usually contractually allowed to give you.
While some gray market dealers are very honest and forthright about what they are selling to you, others may not mention that their merchandise is gray market or make it clear that you do not have a manufacturer's warranty on the watch.
Your manufacturer's warranty card will not be stamped with an authorized dealer's name--or you may get no card at all. In either case, you have no valid manufacturer's warranty coverage. Watches described as having 'open papers' means the warranty has not been validated by an authorized dealer.
If the dealer includes a warranty of their own, it will only be good through them--it will not be honored by any other dealer or the manufacturer's authorized service centers. For this you must trust the reputation and stability of that dealer to repair your watch within the warranty period. Otherwise, any repair will be at your expense.
Some gray market watches have had the serial number removed from the outside of the case (but not the inside) to prevent the manufacturer from tracing it to the authorized dealer that sold it to the gray market. See the following section for more information on watches that have had their serial numbers removed.
Ultimately, the difference is whether you are willing to risk warranty, resale, and other problems in return for saving another 10-20% off the cost of the watch. |
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Mr. Pink
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: China
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| Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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I was in the same boat as you. I ended up buying a Tag for about $1000. I've had the watch for almost 10 years now. That is $100 a year plus about 4-5 batteries over the course of the 10 years. The battery lasts typically 2 years.
Here is my suggestion: forget online shops. Duty free sales shops. I actually bought my Tag in Canada at a jewelry store. They were having a 20 or 25% off sale on everything in the store including their watches. I think I talked the guy into an extra 5% off and so the price was right. DON'T be afraid to bargain with people. When buying such an expensive item it makes sense to get the price down as much as possible.
Some places in Korea have good prices on Tags too: I bought my wife one that matched my Tag. The shop was some small watch store in a Lotte Department store. I talked to the guy into selling it to me for about 900,000 won, which was pretty good considering it would have been over $1000 in Canada or the US. Look around and talk lowest possible price. If you are happy with it, do it. |
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thomas pars
Joined: 29 Jan 2009
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| Posted: Sun May 30, 2010 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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The bad news is that 1000 dollars doesn't even begin to get you into
the lux watch area. 2000 is starting point. That being said there are many,
many watch that you can buy for a grand or less.
Citizen offer a load of quality watches, solar powered and look like
they cost loads more.
Tag Heuer formula one.
Hamilton watches watches are nice.
Oris is nice
You might be able to pick up an Omega seamaster for maybe 1500.
For 1000 a sapphire dial is to be expected. Take a look at this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/other/ref=sr_sa_p_4?rh=n:377110011,n:!378518011,n:405574011&bbn=405574011&pickerToList=brandtextbin&ie=UTF8&qid=1275279588
bought a couple of watches off here. comes with limited warranty. No problems.
good luck. |
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DM24
Joined: 06 Apr 2010
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject: |
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i remember when i went to summer camp a bunch of years ago there was this kid there who needed money and was selling most of his belongings so he could go to some concert. he had a citizen eco-drive watch that he offered me for about $70 bucks. i didn't know at the time (nor did i have internet) but a quick search just now revealed that those things are worth 200-500+ .___.
oh well, it wasn't that nice looking of a watch anyway |
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meangradin
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 9:53 pm Post subject: |
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Rolex > Cartier > Omega > Tag
You can get many different Tag watches for around $1000. You can get some Omega and even Cartier watches for about +$300-500 more. |
Good Omegas go for $5,000+
To echo other comments, for $1,000 you could buy a very good Seiko, like something from the Sportura line. |
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madhusudan
Joined: 30 Jan 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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If you want a big name watch it might be tough at that price, having been a buyer relatively recently myself.
At the bottom of the latest economic downturn I picked up a Jacques Lemans for pretty cheap. It's a grey market watch and not really a big name.
I just wanted a Swiss automatic, and that's what I got. I like knowing it runs on its own, which I think is cool. Shop around, know what you want, the risks you're willing to take and you might find a deal. |
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meangradin
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 12:19 am Post subject: |
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I read that Nadal has a nice watch at the French Open: a Roger Mille that costs $500,000
Last edited by meangradin on Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:58 am; edited 1 time in total |
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meangradin
Joined: 10 Mar 2006
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| Posted: Sat Jun 05, 2010 7:57 am Post subject: |
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However, in hindsight, I wish I got them from here especially since California sales is now almost 10% and authorized Rolex retailers do not discount much if at all:
http://www.jomashop.com/rolex.html |
That site has some great prices. The Omega I was thinking of buying at Hyundai Department Store is $2,000 cheaper on this site and some of the Breitlings are well priced. |
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Kheldar
Joined: 26 Jun 2008
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