Should I have any concerns when buying from a secondary seller

[Ginsu_]

Hi all, first post to the forum.

I have a few pieces that I’ve bought directly from ADs and boutiques and I’m in the market for one of the more hyped up, desirable models. If I make a high dollar purchase from a secondary seller, one of the trusted sellers from the site, should I have any concern about the authenticity of the movement within the watch? When a grey dealer or trusted seller gets a watch in do they crack open the back and look at the movement?

Thank you

[khalifam]

When I've sold a watch before the buyer has popped off the back OR put it on a machine & that tells you how the watch is running. It is my understanding that if the figures are off on the machine that's when alarm bells start to ring.

When I've bought a watch from a trusted seller I've gone to a private watch maker to have the back popped off to check if all is okay & genuine.


Alternatively, you could send it to Rolex (assuming it's a Rolex watch) and ask for a "service quote", expect a week's wait though.

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[Brew]

The here-popular grey I spoke with yesterday explained to me that he does not open the watches he purchases. If they're not keeping time properly, they're sent for service and then listed for sale.

[ThatSubGuy]

In most cases they don't, unless it's vintage pieces that are notorious for having fake parts.

If paperwork checks out and seller seems legit there is nothing but a quick glance to verify the watch is what it is.

If it's a random new seller trying to pawn off a watch and their story seems "off" they might pop off the back and do a quick examination but honestly, only RSC can do a 100% verification of all parts.

Take a 116520 Daytona for an example.

You can buy an aftermarket bezel for €90 that looks 98% like the original.

The original bezel you can sell for €900. If you keep everything else genuine there is noone that will ever find out that bezel isn't a fake part. Up until the point you send it to a RSC.

That is the harsh reality of buying second hand.

I can 100% guarantee you that I would be able to (if I wanted to) sell a 98% genuine watch to any "trusted seller" in here and they wouldn't spot the fake parts.

It could be a steel bezel, it could be certain parts of the movements that aren't immediately visible upon expections. It could be gears, it could be parts of a bracelet/clasp.

If all papers + story checks out they are not going to check and verify every individual part. There are more than 300+ parts in a watch.

You can even buy fake links to exchange with genuine links and make money that way.

Buy from an AD if you want to be 100% sure.

[FTX I]

You should have many concerns and the most important thing to observe is to buy the seller.

[brandrea]

Welcome to the forum. As above, buy the seller ^^^

[garyk]

There is a thread from a few days ago about a watch purchased from an AD that was apparently pre owned unbeknownst to the buyer and it was then rejected from RSC for service due to a counterfeit movement.

Right now, I would be extremely worried about buying a high dollar watch without a lot of additional research..

[Ginsu_]

Thank you for the responses. I agree with buy the seller.

[Ginsu_]

Specifically I’m looking at three specific Daytona’s.

Anything to worry about or ask for from either Takuya or DavidSW

[1William]

Welcome to the Forum. Your questions are legitimate and I would answer that the two Trusted Sellers you list are great. I have done multiple transactions with both and never a worry. Go get your watch and enjoy.

[JR16]

Originally Posted by 1William

Welcome to the Forum. Your questions are legitimate and I would answer that the two Trusted Sellers you list are great. I have done multiple transactions with both and never a worry. Go get your watch and enjoy.

x2
Multiple transactions with each, never a worry. Hypothetically if something were to go wrong these sellers would make it right. They live and die by their reputation.


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[Ginsu_]

Originally Posted by JR16

x2
Multiple transactions with each, never a worry. Hypothetically if something were to go wrong these sellers would make it right. They live and die by their reputation.


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Thank you.

The only problem I can foresee that worries me is me eventually sending it in for service down the road and running into an issue. In a case like that, years down the road, I think I would be shit out of luck.

[thenewrick]

Even the most “trusted seller” sells fake watches sometimes. That’s just the nature of the game. You just gotta hope the vendor will refund you if you find out the watch is fake after buying it. The answer is likely no because they can rightfully assume you are suspect as well. It’s always a gamble!

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Welcome to the forum. As above, buy the seller ^^^

+1


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[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Ginsu_

Specifically I’m looking at three specific Daytona’s.

Anything to worry about or ask for from either Takuya or DavidSW

Nothing to worry about other than the resale price if you don't like them... you'll lose about 30%.

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by Ginsu_

Specifically I’m looking at three specific Daytona’s.

Anything to worry about or ask for from either Takuya or DavidSW

I've purchased a Panerai from Takuya. "Brand new". Great seller to work with.

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[huncho]

Originally Posted by Ginsu_

Specifically I’m looking at three specific Daytona’s.

Anything to worry about or ask for from either Takuya or DavidSW

nothing to worry about with those 2. go for it and enjoy

[Calatrava r]

Most likely they do not open the watch. Can create warranty issues if Rolex determines it was opened during the warranty period by someone non-Rolex or not authorized.

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Brew

The here-popular grey I spoke with yesterday explained to me that he does not open the watches he purchases. If they're not keeping time properly, they're sent for service and then listed for sale.

???

[Marcjvr]

Originally Posted by thenewrick

Even the most “trusted seller” sells fake watches sometimes.That’s just the nature of the game. You just gotta hope the vendor will refund you if you find out the watch is fake after buying it. The answer is likely no because they can rightfully assume you are suspect as well. It’s always a gamble!

Do you have any evidence to back that up? Or is that just based on your opinion?

[swaini3]

Buy the seller and the watch. Do proper research on the models you're after so that you know what you're buying. Im not saying they will sell you a fake watch but its always wise to know what you're paying for.

[tike71]

Originally Posted by Marcjvr

Do you have any evidence to back that up? Or is that just based on your opinion?

Horology house comes to mind. Before the huge scandal, the guy would have been considered a highly trusted seller by many. Who knows how many people who've bought from him do not realize they may have a fake in their possession.

The takeaway here is to go thru your own process of getting a watch verified, even when bought from a TS.

[77T]

Originally Posted by Ginsu_

Specifically I’m looking at three specific Daytona’s.

Anything to worry about or ask for from either Takuya or DavidSW

Both are stellar. I’ve dealt with Takuya myself and both have a long list of references.

Since a few people have already claimed trusted sellers sell fakes, I’d guess that worries you. When I did a lot of trades and flips I dealt with many TRF trusted sellers. Every watch was checked by my Rolex certified watchmaker and checked out. Yea, we found a couple with aftermarket replacement crystals but no fake movements, etc. more than 2 dozen transactions on TRF.

Either of those sellers you mentioned would vouch for the watch and refund if a buyer finds a fake movement in it.

If you are especially worried about a particular watch, ask for pictures of the movement.


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[CenwulF]

Originally Posted by Brew

The here-popular grey I spoke with yesterday explained to me that he does not open the watches he purchases. If they're not keeping time properly, they're sent for service and then listed for sale.

Really? hmmm interesting to know.