How To Buy Vintage & Pre-Owned Watches | Questions to Ask The Seller

Condition, Originality, and Authenticity are just the surface of vintage and pre-owned watch buying. Make sure you know all the questions to ask before you pay!

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#vintagewatch #buyingwatches #preownedwatch

Today, Christian dives into some of the questions you should ask your watch dealer when going vintage or pre-owned. The world of the pre-owned watch is a great way to get into a contemporary luxury watch at a significant discount compared to what you would pay new at an authorized dealer or boutique. Vintage, on the other hand, is a way to get into a piece with some serious history, the kind of thing that simply can't be bought anymore.

The first thing you should look for and ask about is box and papers (sales documents). While the expectation is that having box and papers is a good thing and not having them is a bad thing, this isn't always the case, as it ultimately comes down to the watch itself and, if the quality and condition isn't there, then the box and papers certainly won't save it. They also do not guarantee that the watch is authentic, since they are arguably even easier to fake than the watch itself.

One of the other big questions is the return policy. Sometimes, since we so often buy online these days, a watch gets to our door and after a little while with it, it just isn't the piece that would connect with us the way we expected. Therefore, knowing how to address that with the seller is incredibly important and often, for the right reasons, these policies can be amended to suit special circumstances.

Then, of course, we have the warranty. Watches can be expensive to upkeep, so knowing that the seller will stand behind their product for a pre-determined amount of time is incredibly important. Knowing how long the seller is willing to stand behind their product is important, and in many cases this can be a deal breaker.

[garrettjanssen]

I've bought a few vintage watches now. Asking for a lume shot if relevant can help tell if a watch is original, relumed, and/or repainted.


Good to see the SuperOcean on the wrist. Of your collection, which watch gets the least wrist time? Or second least if its your Swatch

[santfournier]

Very good advice, and I learnt new things even though I’ve bought hundreds of vintage watches. Thanks

[jhcowatchinglifestyle]

Like any good experience, relationship matters and history! It also starts with trust, the character of a person and their passion! Weather you are purchasing a watch or solidifying a services deal that has to be a part of the consideration always!

[QuartzCrisis]

Finally a video about vintage watches again! I though you forgot that vintage is better

[addisson]

And here speaks the One that ripped me off on a not working Omega..then Ignored all my emails on that issue. Now
I have to extra pay over 2 grand to have it fixed at Omega, for the fix can not be done by any regular average watchmaker.. What a hypocrisy!

[denisspratt]

This is a nice video with a good topic to talk about.
I have been working in a few premium shops over the year.
Some with exclusive hifi, some with designer furniture and a bike shop with some of the best bikes in the world.
And i have learned that no matter what the products are you sort have to look for the same things all the time.
It is almost always the person standing in fromt of you with the product you have to trust most of all.

[echosf]

Great explanation! As I’ve mentioned previously, I’m still in the market for a Rolex Explorer, Ref. 114270. The reason? About two years ago, I bought one from a local respected jeweler who sells pre-owned and vintage watches. However, I did exactly what you just stated I shouldn’t have returned it one day after buying it because it did not have box & papers. I just couldn’t let go of the notion that the watch possibly wasn’t worth what I paid, based on the lack of B&P. Your reasons seem more than reasonable and I’ll take that into account when I eventually locate another 114270.

[equaliser]

Just got my 1950s Jaegeur leCoultre 481mvt 18ct Gold Automatic with power reserve, serviced at JLC head office in Switzerland it needed a new stem, new crystal, full stripped service, new JLC strap NOS, all parts, regulated and slight polish of case and hands. It took 11 month's I can't fault the service, collected by them with a courier contact at all times via email, assesed by their master watch maker. Cost was £1400, the watch was delivered by courier back to me, if you Love the vintage watches look after them, if it needs major work get it done by the company if they are willing to take it on Jaegeur LeCoultre are head and shoulders above other watch makers. The service cost twice as much as I paid for it privately, but its well worth it.

[TheSkatereel]

Hey man, Theo and Harris still have a 3 day return policy? Seems way to strict man.

[supavegetasama]

I can confirm Theo & Harris does a good job with returns if requested.

[calvincorser]

Even with a new watch from an AD, had an Authorised Repairer not repair an obvious fault and now had to send it to the Swiss. Not sure what I can do as now out of pocket 2 shipping, and as yet don't have a fixed watch.

[izhanarif]

I want to buy a vintage rolex which i find very nice and at the great price, from a Reputable seller too. But the problem is that I have no idea where to send it to for authenticity. I dont think rolex retailers able to check it? Im not sure tbh. This can be considered an antique rolex

[ChevyBM]

42mm is the best size for the Superocean!

[kaim.]

Funny that you Talk about warranty and RETURNS.

As a Dealer who keeps 10% and only refunds 90% to a Customer for returns its pretty pathetic to Talk about that.

[drwindsurf]

Thank you for another excellent video :)

[etneoh]

I swear seeing the out-takes of t&h vids is sometimes almost as good as seeing the actual videos😂

[bubbab]

Good vid and tutorial Christian! 👍 🤔🤔🤔 Top five movements.

[JamesLeptas]

What's the name.and model number of the Rolex in the title.screen?

[imranchowdhury]

If the box and papers is a myth then all pre-owned dealers mention about that with a little increased price?

[eugenerivera]

Christian great job on the tips. I appreciate that so very much. You are very smart when it comes to your watches such as Rolex Watches and petite Philip and the rest of them. My favorite out of all the watches that you speak of are the Rolex Watches they are the most impressive watches that I have ever seen in my life really. When I do have the funds I will personally purchase a Rolex Watch myself it will be a presidential Rolex Watch with diamonds. Meaning with Rolex diamonds that is what I meant to say.