Where to Purchase a Watch On-Line?

[mazersteven]

OK Audioholics. I'm looking for a reputable on-line retailer to purchase a watch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Adam]

Hey, man. Great to hear from you.

What kind of watch are you looking to get? My dad bought some watches from Amazon and was really happy, but they weren't expensive at all. I buy from Amazon all of the time and have been really happy with them.

 

[MidnightSensi]

What are you looking for? If you are in the South Florida area I have a great watch broker (I'm a watch-nut).

 

[mazersteven]

What kind of watch are you looking to get? My dad bought some watches from Amazon and was really happy, but they weren't expensive at all. I buy from Amazon all of the time and have been really happy with them.

Thanks Adam. Amazon has the watch I'm looking for. But they also have it listed at full retail. I was just in Jamaica, and Grand Cayman and should have pulled the trigger then.

ESQ SWISS Men's Beacon Chronograph Black PVD

www.esqswiss.com

 

[STRONGBADF1]

looks to be 25% off at Prinston Watches.
http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/07301239.asp?
login=y&p=shopzilla&CS_003=2392133&CS_010=07301239
http://www.bizrate.com/watches/products__keyword--esq+swiss+mens+beacon+chronograph+watch.html

I'll keep looking...

 

[mazersteven]

looks to be 25% off at Prinston Watches.
http://www.princetonwatches.com/shop/07301239.asp?

I stumbled across that Princeton web-site yesterday. Seems to be a decent on-line store.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

I stumbled across that Princeton web-site yesterday. Seems to be a decent on-line store.

I've never bought from them but they have been around for a while...

for what it's worth...http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Princeton_Watches

 

[mperfct]

That's a nice looking watch!


I keep telling my wife that I want one of these:

She can't believe I want to spend that much money on a watch, but I say your ring cost a helluva lot more and doesn't do anything.

Something about watches, especially nice watches, are very interesting to me. There's a story behind them and being handcrafted and all that goodness certainly adds to their appeal. Sorry for my threadjack, but had to share.

 

[Matt34]

Thanks Adam. Amazon has the watch I'm looking for. But they also have it listed at full retail. I was just in Jamaica, and Grand Cayman and should have pulled the trigger then.

ESQ SWISS Men's Beacon Chronograph Black PVD

www.esqswiss.com

I like your tastes!

 

[mazersteven]

mperfct,

Breitling's are one of my favorite watches, or should I say "Timepiece". Along with the Chronometre series I also like the Breitling Navitimer Series. But at this time, I am not in the position to give one of those as a gift. So the ESQ will have to do for now.

 

[STRONGBADF1]

That's a nice looking watch!


I keep telling my wife that I want one of these:

She can't believe I want to spend that much money on a watch, but I say your ring cost a helluva lot more and doesn't do anything.

Something about watches, especially nice watches, are very interesting to me. There's a story behind them and being handcrafted and all that goodness certainly adds to their appeal. Sorry for my threadjack, but had to share.

Yea! what he said!

 

[mperfct]

mperfct,

Breitling's are one of my favorite watches, or should I say "Timepiece". Along with the Chronometre series I also like the Breitling Navitimer Series. But at this time, I am not in the position to give one of those as a gift. So the ESQ will have to do for now.

You know you're hooked when you stop calling them watches and start calling them "timepieces".

You're giving the ESQ as a gift? That's a lucky recipient right there. Good luck with your shopping!

Regards~

Chris

 

[race4aliving]

http://www.watchseller.com/
I've done business with these folks for a while on some VERY nice watches. I recommend them highly.

 

[itschris]

Hey Mazer... long time no see. I'm somewhat of a watch nut. Normally, if I'm buying a timepiece in excess of a $1k, I'll only do so from a local jeweler... often times Jarods. However, right now, you'd almost be crazy to buy a new watch. Stop in any decent higher end shop that buys gold, and you will see a bevy of fine timepieces to be had for about 40% less than they were a year ago... both new and previously owned. I was in about 2 weeks ago with my neighbor looking for a watch for him and I saw one the exact same Rolexes I have for $4,200 preowned. It looked brand new, nary a fine scratch on it. I paid nearly $8K for that same watch. I'm not saying buy a Rolex but it's just an example of the deals that are out there. I'm currently eyeing a Breitling Navitimer for $6k... about $2200 cheaper than I've seen that model, but I doubt the wife will let me have it. I also saw an awsome Tissot chrono similar to mine for $275. Take a look around... you'll be amazed at the deals you may come across.

 

[Alex2507]

PM this guy:

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/member.php?u=38587

He mentioned being a watch collector.

 

[greggp2]

The mark ups on high end watches are 100%, sometimes more. With the economy being in the toilet, you can typically negotiate a really good discount. I'm a huge watch collector and have about 12 high end watches. I never pay retail for them. Most dealers will sell for 10-15% over cost, unless they are selling Patek, Rolex or Panerai...

Ebay is a great source for pre-owns from reputable sellers. You can pick up pre-owned watches for .30 to .40 on the dollar for what they cost new...

 

[itschris]

The mark ups on high end watches are 100%, sometimes more. With the economy being in the toilet, you can typically negotiate a really good discount. I'm a huge watch collector and have about 12 high end watches. I never pay retail for them. Most dealers will sell for 10-15% over cost, unless they are selling Patek, Rolex or Panerai...

Ebay is a great source for pre-owns from reputable sellers. You can pick up pre-owned watches for .30 to .40 on the dollar for what they cost new...

The only downside to the Ebay route is that the counterfit market has become really top notch. They are actually built on fine timepieces, but they're still fake and it's not so easy to tell anymore. The counterfit market for Brietling, Omega, TAG (who's finallly started putting out some nice models lately) and especially Rolex has gotten incredibly sophisticated. A local jeweler who we deal with for our gold and coins was telling me that he just had a client of his bring his Rolex in for a tune up (they're an authorized shop). It was only until they cracked the case that they realized it was counterfit. The weight, the dimensions, the quality of the stainless was all spot on. It was so good in fact that they sent it to Rolex so they could see the level of detail for their anti-counterfitting group.

99 times out of 100, I'm sure everything would be fine.. but if something did go wrong... I'd rather deal with a reputable local shop.... especially when spending so much hard earned cash.

 

[greggp2]

The only downside to the Ebay route is that the counterfit market has become really top notch. They are actually built on fine timepieces, but they're still fake and it's not so easy to tell anymore. The counterfit market for Brietling, Omega, TAG (who's finallly started putting out some nice models lately) and especially Rolex has gotten incredibly sophisticated. A local jeweler who we deal with for our gold and coins was telling me that he just had a client of his bring his Rolex in for a tune up (they're an authorized shop). It was only until they cracked the case that they realized it was counterfit. The weight, the dimensions, the quality of the stainless was all spot on. It was so good in fact that they sent it to Rolex so they could see the level of detail for their anti-counterfitting group.

99 times out of 100, I'm sure everything would be fine.. but if something did go wrong... I'd rather deal with a reputable local shop.... especially when spending so much hard earned cash.

You are very right about this. China has ruined the watch industry for most. Only the most reputable guys on Ebay would I trust and they typically have their own sites as well. You have to really know what you are buying.

 

[itschris]

You are very right about this. China has ruined the watch industry for most. Only the most reputable guys on Ebay would I trust and they typically have their own sites as well. You have to really know what you are buying.

You're so right.

The finest Rolex and Breitling knock offs sell for about $1200-$1500. The watch itself is actually worth that much with Swiss movements, high grade stainless and gold, etc. The probelm is, because it hasn't got a recognizable brand, no one would buy it. Instead, they just make these to look like a top tier watch for thousands less.

It's pretty scary to think a well trained jeweler can no longer spot a high end fake and that it takes more than just casual disassembly to detect the fraud.