Should I have taken the risk?

[Watoo]

Hi all,

Long time reader. I'm in a quandary, I'm currently on holiday in th UK and by chance came upon a secondhand jewellers, which to be honest seemed more like a run of the mill pawn shop. In the window I saw a blue Tudor 76100 lollipop. I more or less ran into the shop and had a look. Stupidly I didn't take any pictures, but checked the serial with the database, which dated it to 1983, checked the dial with pictures from this forum on the guys iPad, checked the date wheel (silver). Checked the bezel, bi directional, no clicks but it looked like the insert was replaced as it looked practically new against the patina of the dial and lollipop hands. There were no papers and it looked a little beaten but I would say was in good condition.

Now, the guy in the shop didn't have the tools to open the case back, which I believed. He was asking £1,300 for it. I then spotted some minor damage right at the bottom of the inside of the crystal. I had a think about it, went back and offered him £900 cash in the absence of papers and the crystal issue. He rang his business partner who said yes but there were no come backs or guarantee. At that point, I bottled it and said my apologies and left. The big question, did I just blow a big find!? Everything looked perfect other than the bezel and no access to the caseback.

Would other members have taken the risk? Cheers!