Serial Number Issue

[Token74]

Hi all

As some of you will know, last week I acquired a 2006/7 Sea Dweller from a trader (appears to do a lot of business trading watches, but not an AD) for what I would consider to be good value (although certainly not a bargain).

I checked the seller out first (he does a reasonable amount of business on eBay) and all checked out. I have also checked everything I know to check that it is not fake, and it appears to pass every test I know of and can find online.

I also have a printed email from the guy who serviced the watch recently to the previous owner, with the previous owners address (which I have validated online) on it, that the trader gave to me.

However, last night I removed the bracelet (now that's not the easiest job in the world!) and the serial number is different to the paperwork (I.e. the original guarantee)! Everything appears to check out apart from this.

I spoke with the trader last night and he apologised and explained he had no idea, and hasn't checked it as it had been recently serviced. He has offered a full refund if I want.

Instinctively I should take the refund, but there is a shortage of supply in these watches of this kind of age and people are trying to achieve a heavy premium it appears, I also need to be able to trade in an existing watch which I need to be able to get a fair price on, so I am tempted to keep it.

I assume resale will be negatively effected if I want to sell in the future (which I may do, but probably won't)? And I assume the advice from you guys will be to get a refund?

This is a real pain...I have always bought watches from AD's and always t the wrong time, so have always lost money (I am the worlds worst flipper!), so this time I avoid the AD markup and try to buy a top quality watch at a decent time in the market, and this happens! Darn it!