Finding a Reasonably Priced Seamaster

pilotch · April 2009

So I have been looking around to buy an omega seamaster (blue bezel like in CR) but even on eBay they are extremely expensive. I have visited forums where people claim that one can buy a new seamasters for $800-1000 USD? I am assuming this is the quartz model (the cheapest), but even on ebay these things are selling for upwards of $1000 USD used with scratches on the band! Does anyone know a good place to get a reasonably priced seamaster (new or used for that matter)?

Thanks so much for any help!

urhash · April 2009

Wow, new Seamasters haven't been $1000 for a long time. I got mine (quartz) for just under $1000 in 2000, but with today's inflation and higher premium on the Seamaster line (since the 2541.80 and 2531.80 have been phased out), I think you'd have to spend at least $1300. Amazon has the quartz at $1500 and the automatic at $2200.

agent 00 · April 2009

A real Seamaster Automatic (no quartz)costs in the Netherlands around 2200 euro i've bought mine 5 years ago for 1600 euro so its a good investment .

Not that i want to sell i am to pleased with it.

Jan

ycpchief · April 2009

I would not be buying a Seamaster on ebay. You just don't know what you are getting. $1,000 is cheap! The only way to make sure you are buying the real thing is to purchase it from a reputable dealer. You must make sure the serial number is intact and that it comes with the warranty card. There is a black market out there for luxury watches. The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

The Bond Experience · April 2009

Continental Jewelers
1010 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Jim Gianforte - owner/manager

202 833-3366
800 853-5588

pilotch · April 2009

I have found a 2541.80 (the discontinued line) for over $1700 at an authorized dealer. I am sure I could talk them down a little bit more than the 15% omega allows for discount, but I still feel paying that much for a discontinued quartz model is crazy. Am I just being too picky here, or could I find a better deal? What should I be looking to pay for a new quartz model?

Thanks again for the help!

nms75 · April 2009

I own three Omega Seamasters - all worn by Craig in the last two movies. I am lucky I guess to have them as they are rather expensive items. My thoughts echo the above, avoid eBay and go to a reputable dealer. Save up rather than do it on the cheap - pick the model you like by looking at them in the jewellers so you are happy you are getting the right one. Personally if I had to choose just one I'd go for the Planet Ocean 42mm with bracelet strap. You can wear it any where with any outfit.

Just my thoughts...

NMS

minigeff · April 2009

got my seamy pro mid size 6 years ago for £1100 and its just started to loose time.

time for a service methinks.

Donald Grant · April 2009

As I've advised people before, buy the seller not the watch. Particularly if you are not knowledgeable about watches. If you don't know about watches, you buy based on reputation. Don't be penny wise and pound foolish. Ebay represents a great risk to the uninformed.

DG

pilotch · May 2009

So an update, I just received my Seamaster, and could not be happier. This has to be the best watch I have ever owned. I purchased the 2264.50 model (a little different from the bond version, which I wanted) on eBay for $910. Everything but the warranty card was included. The battery had just been changed (quartz model, sticker to prove the work was done by Omega) and the red dot was still there to indicate the case had not been opened since. They had the bond model in quartz and the more authentic chronometer model as well. The automatics actually sell for a little less than the quartz ($ 750-900 range).

So a reasonably priced Seamaster can be found. I dealt with the eBay seller jmryshi. His feedback is excellent, and his watches (most are Omega) are in mint condition. Mine said used, but even the clasp was scratch free (something rare with the Seamaster). So if you are looking into buying the bond model, go for it if you can. With the economy the way it is, it is certainly a buyers market right now!

nms75 · May 2009

pilotch wrote:

The automatics actually sell for a little less than the quartz!

With respect I disagree with that statement! In my experience the automatics have always commanded higher prices than quartz model Omegas due to desireability - both new and second-hand.

Anyway I am glad you are happy with your new Seamaster, do please post a photo

Welcome to the world of Omega owners!

NMS

FanOfFleming · May 2009

The Mantis wrote:

Continental Jewelers
1010 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Jim Gianforte - owner/manager

202 833-3366
800 853-5588

This. Lowest Omega prices in the world and totally legitimate.

Bond_James_Bond · May 2009

I can get 33% off Omega watches. Is it cheaper than that?

FanOfFleming · May 2009

Bond_James_Bond wrote:

I can get 33% off Omega watches. Is it cheaper than that?

Marginally. Is your source an authorised dealer? The above one is.

pilotch · May 2009

I am almost certain that true authorized Omega dealers in the US are only allowed to discount watches to a maximum of 15% and that is only when Omega allows them to have a sale. This prevents dealers from offering watches at rock bottom prices, which would in turn lessen the value of the brand. I dealt with a firm that was closing down in Tennessee (previously an Omega AD), and even then they were only allowed to discount the watches to 30%. I have no idea how this guy in DC is able to sell everything at such a huge discount and still be an AD. Also, a lot of times you will find places online that discount watches above the alloted 15%, but of course they are not AD's.

Bond_James_Bond · May 2009

FanOfFleming wrote:

Bond_James_Bond wrote:

I can get 33% off Omega watches. Is it cheaper than that?

Marginally. Is your source an authorised dealer? The above one is.

yes sir !! But only for purchases in Europe. (Germany specifically - but can ship to anywhere in Europe - i think the US will incur taxes on this).

Bond_James_Bond · May 2009

pilotch wrote:

I am almost certain that true authorized Omega dealers in the US are only allowed to discount watches to a maximum of 15% and that is only when Omega allows them to have a sale. This prevents dealers from offering watches at rock bottom prices, which would in turn lessen the value of the brand. I dealt with a firm that was closing down in Tennessee (previously an Omega AD), and even then they were only allowed to discount the watches to 30%. I have no idea how this guy in DC is able to sell everything at such a huge discount and still be an AD. Also, a lot of times you will find places online that discount watches above the alloted 15%, but of course they are not AD's.

Not true. Normally there is a 50% mark up on most omega models. Very normal for a dealer to offer between 20 and 25% - especially if you are going for the more expensive watches in the range. This is the case in Europe anyway - for the US I'm not sure of the details.

Bond_James_Bond · May 2009

sorry forgot to include an example:

I purchased my 45.5mm Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean last April (2008): Price of the watch (RRP) was around 3,000 EUR.
I got mine for 1,997 EUR, which i'm sure you will agree is a pretty substantial discount.
But then it is always a case of who you know.

Finding a Reasonably Priced Seamaster

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