Buying a watch you haven't seen

[davek_964]

I bought a new watch winder at the weekend - which has far more storage than I have watches - and I have a significant birthday in a couple of months, which is making me browse watches.......

I haven't entirely decided on budget - the birthday thing means I may really push the boat out - but the problem I'm having is that some of the watches I am tempted by are in the USA - and I don't think I'll be able to see one locally.....

I've always fancied owning a Parmigiani. I like the style of a lot of their watches, they seem to be regarded as well made watches - and most people would have no idea what they are, which is appealing to me.
I also quite fancy a non-round watch as a bit of a change from the two watches I currently wear.

Chrono24 has a nice Kalpa XL - it ticks those boxes, and seems very reasonably priced - I am very tempted.

But - I can't find one in the UK, so I can't view one in real life. And that concerns me a bit - the best looking watch I've ever seen in pictures is the Parmigiani Atalante. But a few years back, I saw the real thing in the Parmigiani store in London - and it was pretty horrid in real life!

How many people have taken the chance on a watch just having seen the pics? Anybody?

I have bought from Chrono24 before - but it was from Milan and I simply flew there to see the watch!

(The alternative is that I focus more on some of the more expensive watches I found on Chrono24, which are in the UK......)

[CardShark]

Most of mine were bought sight unseen, I'd say at least 80% of them I hadn't seen before purchase therefore hadn't even been tried on. I've bought a good number this way and, with this experience, I can be reasonably confident that I won't be disappointed when the postman knocks with a delivery. I know what I find aesthetically pleasing, I know what physical/mechanical/technical attributes I find appealing and, ultimately, I have a good idea as to what I'd wear and why whatever those reasons may be. Most of my watches are tricky, if not near on impossible, to try before you buy (for example Stowa, Sinn, Damasko, Grand Seiko, A-13A, Monta etc) and I'll fully admit that part of the appeal of these watches is their relative rarity and under-the-radar status, so I can fully relate to your reason for being attracted to Parmigiani.

There are one or two important caveats, though. Firstly, all of those watches I've mentioned above were bought pre-owned at prices that I was comfortable with, any financial loss would/should be minimal if I was to strike unlucky. Secondly, I no longer buy a watch just to fill a niche within the collection eg I have zero requirement for a dress watch so there's no point in owning one. I only buy watches I know I'll wear, this again minimises risk.

Keep in mind that if you're buying from the U.S. you'll have V.A.T. to add to your purchase price even if the item is sold as pre-owned. Parmigiani do make some fabulous watches however their market is very small and I think I'm correct in saying that they depreciate quite heavily, again this needs to be factored in.

Edited by CardShark on Tuesday 19th March 14:04

[davek_964]

Thanks.

Depreciation doesn't worry me - although I don't know the future, I don't buy any watches with the intention of selling them in future - once I've bought them, their value doesn't matter to me.

I'll remember to factor in VAT though.

[Fullook]

Unfortunately Cardshark may come to suspect I'm stalking him / her as we seem to share a similar taste in watches - but I'm mostly harmless, honest.

My last three purchases have been sight unseen - apart from web photos & youtube reviews: Stowa Flieger; Seiko Solar Diver; Monta Skyquest - of all of these the Monta is the only one who's appearance in the flesh has surprised me (and the surprises were all positive, it's properly lovely).

I'd say I find youtube reviews to be a more useful predictor of actual appearance than photos.

Chisolm Hunter stocks parmigiani watches not sure where you are (see, no stalking here) but might be worth checking where you're nearest stockist is and if they'd be prepared to get in one for you to try?

Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[andy tims]

davek_964 said:

How many people have taken the chance on a watch just having seen the pics? Anybody?

Probably about 150 times.

“Buy the seller”

[SlimJim16v]

Yep, several, from £10 - £3,000. Only one I didn't like and haven't worn.

As said, bought used at fair prices, so can be sold on with little financial loss.

[Maxym]

andy tims said:

Probably about 150 times.

“Buy the seller”

This. I've bought watches unseen but in each case I've trusted the seller (WF). Some outfits, including IIRC WF, have a no-quibble returns policy.

IMO the biggest risk affects those with puny wrists for whom anything over 40 mm might notwear well, in which case a try-on pre-purchase may make sense.

[CardShark]

Fullook said:

Unfortunately Cardshark may come to suspect I'm stalking him / her as we seem to share a similar taste in watches - but I'm mostly harmless, honest..

I'd say I find youtube reviews to be a more useful predictor of actual appearance than photos.

You're a crap stalker, one quick look at my profile might give you a clue as to my (Christian) name I'm no gorilla though I wouldn't want to be a lady with my hairy arms! Great point on the YT videos, that's something I've done myself.

[Miguel Alvarez]

Most of mine have been off the net or impulse buys. Ironically the ones I've tried on and on and on have been the ones I've moved on quickly. Check you're happy with the dimensions and most importantly that you're happy with the seller.

[davek_964]

Thanks for the replies.

I will give it some thought - I think I will head to London at some point in the next few weeks, and browse some stuff there. Maybe the Parmigiani store has something similar I can use as a reference.

[davek_964]

Discovered that Beaverbrook's in Basingstoke is a Parmigiani stockist, so went there this morning.

They had a very similar style watch, which I liked a lot, so even more tempted now!