Second hand watches, where to buy?

[whom?]

Evening all,

I've been lurking for a while and am looking to purchase my first "proper" watch. As per the title really I am looking to purchase a Speedmaster Pro Moon watch or a TAG Heuer Carrera (CV2010 BA0794), but am reluctant to pay as much as circa £2000 for a new one. Budget is about £1300 at a maximum for a good second hand example of either. Are there any places online or otherwise I should be looking at?
So far I have tried Watches Of Switzerland in Glasgow, but the second hand range of watches were mostly made up of quartz seamasters & aquatimers.

Thanks in advance, Ross.

[BigAlinEmbra]

Chronomaster, watches.co.uk, and chrono24 are your friends.

[toohuge]

try:

blowers-jewellers.co.uk chronomaster.co.uk or austonkaye.co.uk

Chris

[toohuge]

try:

blowers-jewellers.co.uk chronomaster.co.uk or austonkaye.co.uk

Chris

[Fittster]

toohuge said:

try:

blowers-jewellers.co.uk chronomaster.co.uk or austonkaye.co.uk

Chris

I think the last one should be austinkaye.co.uk

[Peter G]

Got my series 1 Zenith from Chronomaster, cant complain at all...

[936ADL]

There's also www.heuerboy.com

I've not used them myself(yet), but i've heard good reports.

[owenemyr]

I am a collector, and currently have about 70 watches in my collection, concentrating on 1960 and earlier, and having collected/sold large numbers via e-bay.
Its my belief that the vast majority of people are honest, and provided you are reasonably knowledgeable, its a safe selling/buying medium.
I have only been ripped off once and have bought/sold some 300+ watches, and that was due to my "greed", if it doesent look right, then it aint!!!
I find that using e-bay and sticking to the vintage brands that I know something about, together with buying from sellers with a reasonable number of feedbacks, you will usually get the item at a sensible price and is as described.

[whom?]

Thanks for all the replies everyone . None of the above sites have what I'm looking for at present, but I will make sure to continue checking them. I also received an email from Dominic H saying that he has chronographs in occasionally so will keep my eye out there too.

Some of the watches on heuerboy are just (Monaco McQueen I'm looking at you)

Google Shopping has turned up a website www.watchfinder.co.uk has anyone had any experiences good or bad with these guys?

[Barry Ashcroft]

Hi Ross I have a lovely TAG for sale if interested

Same as this

http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/Tag-Heuer/SLR--Watche...

Open to sensible offers

[sneijder]

owenemyr said:

I am a collector, and currently have about 70 watches in my collection, concentrating on 1960 and earlier, and having collected/sold large numbers via e-bay.
Its my belief that the vast majority of people are honest, and provided you are reasonably knowledgeable, its a safe selling/buying medium.
I have only been ripped off once and have bought/sold some 300+ watches, and that was due to my "greed", if it doesent look right, then it aint!!!
I find that using e-bay and sticking to the vintage brands that I know something about, together with buying from sellers with a reasonable number of feedbacks, you will usually get the item at a sensible price and is as described.

I thought that, then I found the Private sellers on Watch U Seek. They're a bunch of desperate serial flippers and will sell their first born for $50 to fund their next watch. Most of them state they'll only ship within the US, but if you dangle a carrot and let them know you're not Nigerian Bob they'll do a deal.

[eccles]

sneijder said:

owenemyr said:

I am a collector, and currently have about 70 watches in my collection, concentrating on 1960 and earlier, and having collected/sold large numbers via e-bay.
Its my belief that the vast majority of people are honest, and provided you are reasonably knowledgeable, its a safe selling/buying medium.
I have only been ripped off once and have bought/sold some 300+ watches, and that was due to my "greed", if it doesent look right, then it aint!!!
I find that using e-bay and sticking to the vintage brands that I know something about, together with buying from sellers with a reasonable number of feedbacks, you will usually get the item at a sensible price and is as described.

I thought that, then I found the Private sellers on Watch U Seek. They're a bunch of desperate serial flippers and will sell their first born for $50 to fund their next watch. Most of them state they'll only ship within the US, but if you dangle a carrot and let them know you're not Nigerian Bob they'll do a deal.

That's good to hear. I've seen a few nice watches on there but have been put off by the 'conus only'.

I'd echo what owenemyr has said as well. I'm into 60's/early 70's watches, not usually 'prestige' brands and i've found that if you are a bit sensible then you can get some great watches off ebay. A lot of the prestige watches seem to attract people who make up franken watches, but if you're looking at spending a bit of money usually a quick question on the relevant forum will get you a yey or nay.

[Fittster]

How confident are you about buying watches from ebay if the sellers location abroad?

For example I quite like the following Zenith but I wouldn't risk it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/60s-ZENITH-PORT-ROYAL-Cal-13...

[eccles]

To me at first glance it looks like a nice straight original watch. It hasn't been polished within an inch of its life, it's not too 'clean' (50 year old watches rarely have mint dials without some signs of ageing). Seller has 100% feedback which is a plus. For ultimate peace of mind i'd perhaps ask on a vintage watch forum or the Zenith watch forum on watchuseek.
To me if it really floated my boat I'd probably go for it, although it's getting to the upper end of my budget already, and don't forget the 54 dollars postage.
I've bought from Singapore, Philippines, Canada, America and various countries in Europe with no problems.

[owenemyr]

Its me again.!!!
I have both bought and sold top end Rolex'es and Zeniths (usually solid 18kt) from abroad via e-bay following my basic rules of feedback/contact from the US,Germany and also the Middle and far-East.Every deal has been ok, and I also collect vintage Omega Constellations that are also noted for being "altered".
The basic message is "know your watch" and check.
Some have come with complete provenance (box, papers, receipt etc), the majority have not, and the worst I have had is to arrange a service post purchase. After a while you begin to build up a pool that you may have repeated deals with.
I will however have a look on "watch u seek".
My "watch pool" is based on what brand I preferr and is dependant upon relative ease of both service and parts, together with ease of future selling (should I wish to).
I tend to concentrate on the following:
Omega constellation Cal 500 range (and also Cal712/751 chronometer grades)
Zenith watches (grossly underrated)
Gold Rolex watches (easy to turn into cash anywhere in the world.)
Vintage gruen watches.
Omega's cal 321 preferred Seamasters.
I tend to keep away from upper end watches that I regard as potentially having high maintenance costs.
Its my belief that the best value and possibly best movement lies within the Omega Constellation group.During the 50/60's cconstellations were better regarded and more expensive than the equivalent Rolex.
By both marketting and the virtue of not having faced bankruptcy, Rolex have maintained their relatively high pre-owned prices.
Whatever your watch, they are meant to be worn and enjoyed, and I crop rotate all mine.
Regards

[eccles]

I'd really like a nice pie pan Constellation in a steel case. One day having the funds and the right one coming along at the same time will happen.