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Pogo83
·Hi All,
This is my second true post in this forums and it’s rather long. Before going any further, I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for freely sharing your knowledge on this fantastic globally accessible platform.
I thought I’d share a bit about my recent experience of purchasing an Omega Speedmaster Professional Japan Racing dial model (ref 3570.40). I’ve actually been thinking really hard on whether to post this for concern that every single one of my thoughts, decisions or actions be scrutinized by the at least several hundred years of combined experience in horology here. But hey, there’s no love like tough love, so here goes.
*DISCLAIMER* - This is post is by no means to rant or discredit anyone. It’s purely my experience and I thought that it might be worthwhile sharing. I’d also like to get some advice.
So in my earlier post a couple of weeks back, I mentioned a bit about my watch collecting experience, or lack thereof. Long story short, I bought a Speedy Reduced and realized that it might be a little small for my liking. By chance a 3570.40 Speedy turned up and was being sold by a reputable seller (those trawling the forums / eBay daily might have caught sight of it). It was a really spontaneous moment (I really had a tough time explaining this to the wife). The watch was a real killer in terms of looks and the “like new” condition as per the description. It also had the correct looking warranty card from an AD and correct serial number range. Even though the wooden box was absent, I made an offer. The counter-offer was promptly received and I was told there were already several offers already! I let it brew for a night and accepted it the next morning. And then, it was mine! I really didn’t think too much of questioning the seller on the condition etc. because I’ve purchased from him before and the description was spot on (if not more conservative) the last time.
Oh, I did write an e-mail to Omega to verify the serial numbers to which I received the following response (really quickly I might add):-
Dear Mr. X,
We thank you for your request regarding an OMEGA Speedmaster Japon watch which you intend to purchase.
Following your message, we understand that you would like to be sure that it is genuine OMEGA.
In this respect, we would like to point out the each OMEGA watch is identified with an 8-digit serial number on the case. The 8-digit serial number is also written on the OMEGA International warranty card. The OMEGA International warranty card is given to you by the authorized OMEGA retailer at the purchase of the watch.
The serial number 77132XXX you provided us with corresponds to the following model:
Reference: 3570.40.00
Model: OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Japon
Calibre: 1861
1.5 weeks later, nervously, I picked the watch up from the post office, gave it a wind up and noted some issues which led to my first post. After some feedback from the forums and sleuthing online, I realized those concerns were unfounded. What I did find however when I had a quiet evening to thoroughly inspect the watch was that it was most likely polished and refurbished at some point. Looking at the brushed surface on the bottom right lug (from chrono reset pusher to the edge), it has some wavy pattern that is not really noticeable except when the watch is rotated and the light shifts (my wife, who is already used to my OCD tendencies didn’t even see it despite my pointing it out to her). All other surfaces are what I would expect it to be.
To be fair to the seller, when I brought the matter up, he promptly offered to take the watch back for a full refund. There then started my issues with the postal service in the country where I’m currently residing in. The postal service here is best left to deliver greeting cards or junk mail (it’s actually a miracle the 2 watches I bought arrived at all!). I trust FedEx, DHL, TNT or UPS more and since they offered some form of insurance, I was willing to part with some cash to return via those companies. But unfortunately, the seller didn’t accept those as it would be a hassle to clear customs since he didn’t have an Omega import license (I’ve heard of some cases where watches are sold to Europe and the customs there destroys them). He’d most likely need to pay duty for the return item as well! My postal service had some form of express delivery but no insurance. I was not willing to chance this and so after almost 2 weeks on and plenty of communication between the seller and I, he eventually suggested a solution where I still ended up keeping the watch (those 2 weeks were really a mental battle as part of me really wanted to keep it, whilst the other really desired a “perfect” collector’s piece).
I was really expecting a “like new” condition, highly collectible watch and because of this detail, there is a little bit of remorse on my part. The lesson I learnt here is never to be too excited at purchasing a watch without due diligence (duh!!), irrespective of the seller’s reputation because mint condition to one person may not mean the same to another. It does however help to deal with someone reputable because they may still go out of their way to resolve any issues.
Meanwhile, what does the forum think I should do about the watch case? Is it even an issue? Should I leave it as it is or should I get it polished by Omega? If I did send it in to Omega, would they be able to bring back the brushed surface without affecting the lug thicknesses too much?
Thanks for your time.
PS: I’ve not worn the watch yet since the bracelet sizing is too large. I’m just waiting for a strap I bought from Hodinkee, which is currently LOST in the mail system (this sort of vindicates my decision not to take a chance with uninsured shipping).
This is my second true post in this forums and it’s rather long. Before going any further, I’d just like to take the opportunity to thank all of you for freely sharing your knowledge on this fantastic globally accessible platform.
I thought I’d share a bit about my recent experience of purchasing an Omega Speedmaster Professional Japan Racing dial model (ref 3570.40). I’ve actually been thinking really hard on whether to post this for concern that every single one of my thoughts, decisions or actions be scrutinized by the at least several hundred years of combined experience in horology here. But hey, there’s no love like tough love, so here goes.
*DISCLAIMER* - This is post is by no means to rant or discredit anyone. It’s purely my experience and I thought that it might be worthwhile sharing. I’d also like to get some advice.
So in my earlier post a couple of weeks back, I mentioned a bit about my watch collecting experience, or lack thereof. Long story short, I bought a Speedy Reduced and realized that it might be a little small for my liking. By chance a 3570.40 Speedy turned up and was being sold by a reputable seller (those trawling the forums / eBay daily might have caught sight of it). It was a really spontaneous moment (I really had a tough time explaining this to the wife). The watch was a real killer in terms of looks and the “like new” condition as per the description. It also had the correct looking warranty card from an AD and correct serial number range. Even though the wooden box was absent, I made an offer. The counter-offer was promptly received and I was told there were already several offers already! I let it brew for a night and accepted it the next morning. And then, it was mine! I really didn’t think too much of questioning the seller on the condition etc. because I’ve purchased from him before and the description was spot on (if not more conservative) the last time.
Oh, I did write an e-mail to Omega to verify the serial numbers to which I received the following response (really quickly I might add):-
Dear Mr. X,
We thank you for your request regarding an OMEGA Speedmaster Japon watch which you intend to purchase.
Following your message, we understand that you would like to be sure that it is genuine OMEGA.
In this respect, we would like to point out the each OMEGA watch is identified with an 8-digit serial number on the case. The 8-digit serial number is also written on the OMEGA International warranty card. The OMEGA International warranty card is given to you by the authorized OMEGA retailer at the purchase of the watch.
The serial number 77132XXX you provided us with corresponds to the following model:
Reference: 3570.40.00
Model: OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch Japon
Calibre: 1861
1.5 weeks later, nervously, I picked the watch up from the post office, gave it a wind up and noted some issues which led to my first post. After some feedback from the forums and sleuthing online, I realized those concerns were unfounded. What I did find however when I had a quiet evening to thoroughly inspect the watch was that it was most likely polished and refurbished at some point. Looking at the brushed surface on the bottom right lug (from chrono reset pusher to the edge), it has some wavy pattern that is not really noticeable except when the watch is rotated and the light shifts (my wife, who is already used to my OCD tendencies didn’t even see it despite my pointing it out to her). All other surfaces are what I would expect it to be.
To be fair to the seller, when I brought the matter up, he promptly offered to take the watch back for a full refund. There then started my issues with the postal service in the country where I’m currently residing in. The postal service here is best left to deliver greeting cards or junk mail (it’s actually a miracle the 2 watches I bought arrived at all!). I trust FedEx, DHL, TNT or UPS more and since they offered some form of insurance, I was willing to part with some cash to return via those companies. But unfortunately, the seller didn’t accept those as it would be a hassle to clear customs since he didn’t have an Omega import license (I’ve heard of some cases where watches are sold to Europe and the customs there destroys them). He’d most likely need to pay duty for the return item as well! My postal service had some form of express delivery but no insurance. I was not willing to chance this and so after almost 2 weeks on and plenty of communication between the seller and I, he eventually suggested a solution where I still ended up keeping the watch (those 2 weeks were really a mental battle as part of me really wanted to keep it, whilst the other really desired a “perfect” collector’s piece).
I was really expecting a “like new” condition, highly collectible watch and because of this detail, there is a little bit of remorse on my part. The lesson I learnt here is never to be too excited at purchasing a watch without due diligence (duh!!), irrespective of the seller’s reputation because mint condition to one person may not mean the same to another. It does however help to deal with someone reputable because they may still go out of their way to resolve any issues.
Meanwhile, what does the forum think I should do about the watch case? Is it even an issue? Should I leave it as it is or should I get it polished by Omega? If I did send it in to Omega, would they be able to bring back the brushed surface without affecting the lug thicknesses too much?
Thanks for your time.
PS: I’ve not worn the watch yet since the bracelet sizing is too large. I’m just waiting for a strap I bought from Hodinkee, which is currently LOST in the mail system (this sort of vindicates my decision not to take a chance with uninsured shipping).
