Buying Pre-owned Watches

Naz24 · 08-24-2016, 01:43 PM

Guys --

I'm in the market for a new watch. I currently have a Tag Aquaracer that i've had since I was 15 (it was a confirmation gift from my parents). I'm ready to upgrade into something nicer and automatic (i'm leaning towards a Breitling Chronomat GMT). However, I am happy with buying a pre-owned, to me its a much better bang for your buck and the depreciation on new pieces is worse than a BMW!!

I know tons of people who have bought off eBay... That scares me, but is there some truth to it? I've gone to reputable watch dealers, like orologio, and the selection is limited to what they get in on trades....

Any advice? Sorry if this has been discussed before.

overcoil · 08-24-2016, 01:53 PM

Scratches and countefeit ( replacement movement ) - your buying the seller?

Irishsig · 08-24-2016, 02:09 PM

A great watch forum for buying used is watchuseek.com
I've been buying used watches there for years from many reputable forum members.
It's just a matter of vetting the particular seller on the forum.

watchrecon.com is also an awesome tool to find new/used watches for sale.
It scans several websites at a time from a user search.

porshah · 08-24-2016, 02:24 PM

Buying pre-owned is a great idea. Just remember to buy the seller before buying the watch. As mentioned by Irishsig, buy from reputable sellers. Forums are a great start. If possible try to do a local deal where you can meet at a reputable watch dealer who maybe able to inspect the watch for you. As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks by buying just the watch, try to buy a watch that is complete with box and papers. Ideally the watch is still under manufacturer's warranty. Just like buying a BMW, do your homework.

david in germany · 08-24-2016, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshah

Buying pre-owned is a great idea. Just remember to buy the seller before buying the watch. As mentioned by Irishsig, buy from reputable sellers. Forums are a great start. If possible try to do a local deal where you can meet at a reputable watch dealer who maybe able to inspect the watch for you. As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks by buying just the watch, try to buy a watch that is complete with box and papers. Ideally the watch is still under manufacturer's warranty. Just like buying a BMW, do your homework.

I have picked up two Tag Heuer from eBay. Both were from shops. One I picked up and paid in person and one the seller was very thorough with the photos. Both are in amazing condition and function.
Check seller history and do plenty of research before buying. Search for as many confirmed fakes and counterfeits as you can to find online and see the flaws so that you can determine what the real one looks like when the time comes. From my research I can normally catch a fake Tag at first glance now and even have contacted eBay because of some I identified (to protect others).
Best of luck!

overcoil · 08-24-2016, 04:27 PM

^^
Which two Tag's did you get

Naz24 · 08-24-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshah

Buying pre-owned is a great idea. Just remember to buy the seller before buying the watch. As mentioned by Irishsig, buy from reputable sellers. Forums are a great start. If possible try to do a local deal where you can meet at a reputable watch dealer who maybe able to inspect the watch for you. As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks by buying just the watch, try to buy a watch that is complete with box and papers. Ideally the watch is still under manufacturer's warranty. Just like buying a BMW, do your homework.

So i took your advice and went on the forums. I found someone selling a Breitling Super Avenger II for a great price and he's willing to meet me at a breitling authorized dealer.

Now the bigger question, that 48MM watch might be too big for my 7 inch wrist?

overcoil · 08-24-2016, 05:17 PM

48 mm needs a big wrist - that's just me- but different watches wear differently.

Naz24 · 08-24-2016, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

48 mm needs a big wrist - that's just me- but different watches wear differently.

I'm headed to a breitling dealer tonight to try on a few different watches, perhaps i can see what fits right

Naz24 · 08-24-2016, 09:04 PM

Ok. So I went to a local dealer to check a few watches out. Is 4800 far too much to pay for a breitling blackbird with two year warranty?

Naz24 · 08-25-2016, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishsig

A great watch forum for buying used is watchuseek.com
I've been buying used watches there for years from many reputable forum members.
It's just a matter of vetting the particular seller on the forum.

watchrecon.com is also an awesome tool to find new/used watches for sale.
It scans several websites at a time from a user search.

Do you have any experience with Chronostore? They are located in NYC and have a pretty large online presence.

porshah · 08-25-2016, 01:18 PM

You should be able to get 25-30% off on new, unless you are buying from Boutique.

csu87 · 08-25-2016, 04:30 PM

ive bought a lot of watches off Ebay and Forums. Just always research your seller and use a CC through Paypal NOT AS A GIFT. Pay the extra 3% if you have to. And take it to a dealer to have it checked for authenticity as soon as you get it.

david in germany · 08-25-2016, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

^^
Which two Tag's did you get

Picked up a WG1112-ko and a WK1111 classics.

Irishsig · 09-16-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naz24

Do you have any experience with Chronostore? They are located in NYC and have a pretty large online presence.

No I haven't, but I'll check em' out.

Naz24 · 09-16-2016, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Irishsig

No I haven't, but I'll check em' out.

Ended up buying a watch from them. 2012 Breitling Windrider Blackbird.

The watch is 100% real; but i think i'm still going to send to breitling for service as its a 2012 model and was on display. I presume the oils, etc have dried out.

$8k MSRP for $2,900. Worth the service bill at Breitling

overcoil · 09-16-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naz24

Ended up buying a watch from them. 2012 Breitling Windrider Blackbird.

The watch is 100% real; but i think i'm still going to send to breitling for service as its a 2012 model and was on display. I presume the oils, etc have dried out.

$8k MSRP for $2,900. Worth the service bill at Breitling

Like to see a pic.
Look anything like this ?

Naz24 · 09-16-2016, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naz24

Ended up buying a watch from them. 2012 Breitling Windrider Blackbird.

The watch is 100% real; but i think i'm still going to send to breitling for service as its a 2012 model and was on display. I presume the oils, etc have dried out.

$8k MSRP for $2,900. Worth the service bill at Breitling

Like to see a pic.
Look anything like this ?

This one. Not a dark dial. It's a limited edition, wears really well

overcoil · 09-16-2016, 09:05 PM

Yeah, that's nice, awesome dial.

ny325 · 12-01-2016, 01:05 AM

Not a fan of Breitling, however, that dial looks nice and clean.

Msmall143 · 12-19-2016, 10:11 AM

turneau has a cpo program.

Dang3r · 01-11-2017, 05:50 AM

Anyone of ya has experience with Bell&Ross watches, especially the BR03 Aviator with dual time?

08-24-2016, 01:43 PM	#1
Naz24 Lieutenant Colonel 1644 Rep 1,726 Posts Drives: W205 AMG C63 / E70 X5M Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North/Central NJ iTrader: (1)	Buying Pre-owned Watches Guys -- I'm in the market for a new watch. I currently have a Tag Aquaracer that i've had since I was 15 (it was a confirmation gift from my parents). I'm ready to upgrade into something nicer and automatic (i'm leaning towards a Breitling Chronomat GMT). However, I am happy with buying a pre-owned, to me its a much better bang for your buck and the depreciation on new pieces is worse than a BMW!! I know tons of people who have bought off eBay... That scares me, but is there some truth to it? I've gone to reputable watch dealers, like orologio, and the selection is limited to what they get in on trades.... Any advice? Sorry if this has been discussed before. __________________ 2017 C63 2012 X5M SOLD: 2015 M3; 2007 X3 M Sport; 2014 X3 M Sport 35i; 2004 X5 4.4i; 1994 325i
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08-24-2016, 01:53 PM	#2
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Scratches and countefeit ( replacement movement ) - your buying the seller?
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08-24-2016, 02:09 PM	#3
Irishsig In Hoc 316 Rep 626 Posts Drives: 2016 M4 6MT MG/SO Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1) Garage List 2016 BMW M4 [0.00]	A great watch forum for buying used is watchuseek.com I've been buying used watches there for years from many reputable forum members. It's just a matter of vetting the particular seller on the forum. watchrecon.com is also an awesome tool to find new/used watches for sale. It scans several websites at a time from a user search. __________________ 2016 M4 MG/SO 6MT- Max PSI Intakes - BMS Stage 1 - Swift Spec R - CG Precision Valve controller - 20" DPE Flowtech 5S - AA Midpipe & all the external CF goodies.
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08-24-2016, 02:24 PM	#4
porshah Lieutenant 200 Rep 597 Posts Drives: M4, R8, Huracan - All topdown Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fairfield, NJ iTrader: (5) Garage List 2018 Audi R8 V10 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 BMW 330e xDrive [0.00] 2017 Lamborghini Hu ... [9.50] 2016 BMW M4 Convert ... [0.00]	Buying pre-owned is a great idea. Just remember to buy the seller before buying the watch. As mentioned by Irishsig, buy from reputable sellers. Forums are a great start. If possible try to do a local deal where you can meet at a reputable watch dealer who maybe able to inspect the watch for you. As tempting as it may be to save a few bucks by buying just the watch, try to buy a watch that is complete with box and papers. Ideally the watch is still under manufacturer's warranty. Just like buying a BMW, do your homework.
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08-24-2016, 04:27 PM	#6
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	^^ Which two Tag's did you get
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08-24-2016, 05:17 PM	#8
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	48 mm needs a big wrist - that's just me- but different watches wear differently.
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08-24-2016, 09:04 PM	#10
Naz24 Lieutenant Colonel 1644 Rep 1,726 Posts Drives: W205 AMG C63 / E70 X5M Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: North/Central NJ iTrader: (1)	Ok. So I went to a local dealer to check a few watches out. Is 4800 far too much to pay for a breitling blackbird with two year warranty? Attached Images __________________ 2017 C63 2012 X5M SOLD: 2015 M3; 2007 X3 M Sport; 2014 X3 M Sport 35i; 2004 X5 4.4i; 1994 325i
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08-25-2016, 01:18 PM	#12
porshah Lieutenant 200 Rep 597 Posts Drives: M4, R8, Huracan - All topdown Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Fairfield, NJ iTrader: (5) Garage List 2018 Audi R8 V10 Sp ... [0.00] 2021 BMW 330e xDrive [0.00] 2017 Lamborghini Hu ... [9.50] 2016 BMW M4 Convert ... [0.00]	You should be able to get 25-30% off on new, unless you are buying from Boutique.
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08-25-2016, 04:30 PM	#13
csu87 Banned 2131 Rep 3,553 Posts Drives: 09 335xi Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northern Colorado iTrader: (0)	ive bought a lot of watches off Ebay and Forums. Just always research your seller and use a CC through Paypal NOT AS A GIFT. Pay the extra 3% if you have to. And take it to a dealer to have it checked for authenticity as soon as you get it.
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09-16-2016, 09:05 PM	#19
overcoil Major General 3135 Rep 5,582 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	Yeah, that's nice, awesome dial.
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12-01-2016, 01:05 AM	#20
ny325 Brigadier General 904 Rep 3,140 Posts Drives: Jet Black E90 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gridlock iTrader: (0)	Not a fan of Breitling, however, that dial looks nice and clean.
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12-19-2016, 10:11 AM	#21
Msmall143 Lieutenant 271 Rep 485 Posts Drives: BMW M4, BMW S1000RR Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Loudon VA iTrader: (0)	turneau has a cpo program.
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01-11-2017, 05:50 AM	#22
Dang3r Schmollbraten 12484 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: M4CPC // HP4 Comp. Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Liandri Central Core iTrader: (0)	Anyone of ya has experience with Bell&Ross watches, especially the BR03 Aviator with dual time? __________________ Citizen of ///M - Town, where too much is just right Some say, that my scrotum has its own small gravity field and when Im slowing down that brake lights come on at my buttox
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