Watch purchasing advice please

[CTO]

Good evening all,

After some advice please.

Currently looking to buy myself a watch, either a Omega Seamaster..


Or, I quite fancy this Rolex OP with a blue face..



I am probably leaning a bit more towards the Rolex, I have small wrists and I prefer the (IMO) more subtle OP to the Omega. Nice though it undoubtedly is.

My question is this. The Rolex in the pic above I have specced via the Rolex website. I have searched the local Goldsmiths and they apparently don’t have even one OP, let alone one with the blue dial.

I have emailed Goldsmiths to express an interest in the OP with blue dial and will await an outcome. In the interim, is there any advice that the collective wisdom of this forum can offer about the correct way to go about the process?

Also, any hints or tips or recommended AD’s other than Goldsmiths (if applicable). I am in Worcestershire if that is of help.

Any assistance much appreciated,

BW

CTO

[CTO]

Nope, I’m a total watch noob.

Well, not totally, but fairly close to

Just had a look, that is very nice! Hadn’t considered/wasn’t aware of that.

Thank you

[CTO]

EvoSid said:

Good advice and if you decide to go for an Omega you should be able to get a very healthy discount on it or even better get one used but "unworn" from chronological 24 or watchfinder

That is very helpful. Found the Omega for £3,340 on chrono24. Brand new, uk seller

I think it was around 4k at Goldsmiths.

Do they do price matching?

[CTO]

andy tims said:

The SM 300 is a fine watch, but IMHO it's probably the least imaginative choice you could possible make.

The ultimate clitorus watch

A what now?

[CTO]

I’m currently wearing a Tudor Prince Oysterdate on a 36, which does fit my wrists quite well, although I think a 39 could also work.

Goldsmiths have returned my email and advised to book an appointment. I have requested the OP with a blue dial, the Omega Seamaster, the Omega Aqua Terra and the new BB58 Blue to try and see which one I prefer...

[CTO]

Halitosis said:

Hoping you are buying for keeps and don't expect to tire of it within a few years. If you think you might change or sell it then be aware the Omega wont hold its value as well as the Rolex.
In fact, there are many examples of the Omega "pre-loved" that offer fantastic value for such a quality watch - worthy of consideration.

Buying for keeps, the Omega pre loved do seem to offer great value. Particularly if new on Chrono24 they are going for 3.4k, seemed very good to my fairly uninformed eyes

[CTO]

Oversize doesn’t appeal to me, and is a consideration when choosing. I don’t think I could carry it off, even if it did appeal to me

[CTO]

Dinoboy said:

As said above, I'd go in and try on a 36mm OP for size. I have small wrists also and my 116000 fits like a dream and looks just right.
Re getting hold of one, I requested mine from watches of Switzerland in 2018 and got an email 3 weeks later to say it had come in.

Thanks, that’s very helpful

[CTO]

The Tudor I currently have has a white gold fluted bezel.

[CTO]

By way of update (in case anyone is vaguely interested)

Tried on the Omega Seamaster Diver, blue face. Liked it.

Tried on the Omega Aqua Terra, wasn’t as keen.

Tried on various Breitlings. Wasn’t taken with any of them.

Tried on the new BB58, Blue. With a soft strap. Liked it but would prefer a bracelet. AD is suggesting this could be a three year wait. Apparently they flew out and now a 15 person waiting list.

Really want to try on the Oyster Perpetual with a blue face, and I am on the wish list to do so. However, no one can tell me when this is likely to be available for me to try. Hugely frustrating. I would like to try this one on prior to making any decisions but not sure I am willing to wait an unspecified time to do so.

I discussed potential discounts on the Omega Seamaster today whilst in the shop. They offered £400 off, roughly 10%. Previous threads on here have suggested that 15-20% is achievable. (Old threads from circa 2013-17). Are these figures still achievable?

Thanks in advance.

[CTO]

buymeabar said:

My last SMP Diver (latest version on bracelet) cost me 3.2K from an AD down from 3.9K Should still be achievable. I currently have a two tone SMP (sedna and steel on rubber) that was 4K down from 5.6K, again from a UK dealer.

Plus you don’t have to deal with the Rolex shop workers pulling your pants down and pretending there’s a wait list that gets worked through line by line and in order.

The whole wait list thing is beginning to become more faff than I cba with.

Having emailed Mappin and Webb in Chester to register my interest, they have emailed me in return to say I need to visit the store in Chester and register my interest in person.

I pointed out that a 3hr 40mins round trip just to give them my details isn’t the best use of my time, and that I had already provided my details, hence why they had emailed me........ computer said no..

Good grief

[CTO]

Louis Balfour said:

You want one of the hottest Tudor watches around? You're going to queue.

There are many, many other watches on the market if you would prefer to avoid the queuing. But the Tudor is one of the nicest looking IMHO, and from a good maker, hence the demand.

Sorry LB, I should have been a bit clearer.

The faff mentioned is for the OP with a blue dial.

The BB58 (Blue) had a waiting list of 15, for a model with a bracelet. Potentially three years.

On a soft strap, the wait was only three people. But, I was quoted £600 for the strap to match from Tudor. (Despite the RRP being only £200 difference).

[CTO]

Louis Balfour said:

Or then again: https://www.markworthingtonjewellers.co.uk/tudor-b...

1k mark up then..... as to be expected