ebay Indian sellers - are "serviced" watches actually serviced decently?

[unwatched]

I see a lot of "vintage" watches from ebay selelrs in India/Singapore. They look like the dials are repainted/replaced and I suspect the hands may not be original on at least some of them, which is OK. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money or become a serious collector, just something like a $50-$60 dress watch from a lesser-known Swiss brand like a Titoni or Favre Leuba that looks nice and I can wear on occasion, even if it is not all-original.

Most of the sellers claim their watches are serviced. Any experience with these types of sellers? Are the watches actually serviced? Was the service done competently so the watch will actually run for a while? Can anyone recommend a reliable seller for something along these lines?

Thanks

[JohnF]

Hi -

On eBay, you really have to buy the sellers. I can't recommend one here...perhaps that says it all.

JohnF

[Erik_H]

If you were to buy a vintage (say, Favre Leuba) that has been competently serviced in Singapore, it would be substantially more expensive than $50-$60.

[ulackfocus]

Regardless of the country the watch is being sold from, I would be VERY skeptical of a claim of "recently serviced". Recently? How recently? Is the seller using galactic terms? Recent in space is within the last 10,000 years!

Also, we have members from India who have ranted about the proliferation of fakes & frankens on eBay. I'd stay far away from any listing originating there. While I'm sure there are legitimate watches being sold, the odds are not in your favor so why risk it? If the deal sounds too good to be true, it is.

[Marrick]

You don't say where you live. Assuming its North America or Europe, bear in mind the shipping/postage costs as well as import duties that might apply. Should a watch prove to be unsatisfactory, you then have to return it to India. The sellers usually offer a refund for the watch - but not for the shipping costs.

One of the major considerations, though, is that the standard and authenticity of the dial refinishing leaves much to be desired. You will see Favre-Leubas with bright orange, yellow, or turquoise dials that are somewhat grotesque - and nothing like the real thing.

[jimw]

My first rookie mistake was to buy a Cyma (pictured below) from one of these outfits in Mumbai. It did arrive quickly, and was (is) a beautiful piece with an original dial.

Problem is, it immediately started losing 4-5 minutes a day. I took my Seamaster into a watchmaker to have that serviced, and he asked to look at the movement of my Cyma as well - in short, he indicated that parts had 'been made to fit', and that he couldn't service it aside from replacing the movement.

Too bad, really. They showcase their watches rather well in the eBay ads, and probably some of them are good values; still, I won't be making that same mistake again.

You don't say where you live. Assuming its North America or Europe, bear in mind the shipping/postage costs as well as import duties that might apply. Should a watch prove to be unsatisfactory, you then have to return it to India. The sellers usually offer a refund for the watch - but not for the shipping costs.

One of the major considerations, though, is that the standard and authenticity of the dial refinishing leaves much to be desired. You will see Favre-Leubas with bright orange, yellow, or turquoise dials that are somewhat grotesque - and nothing like the real thing.

[newmedia]

major buyer aware!....

[unwatched]

I think I get the picture.

[tumas]

well I just ordered a vintage omega watch yesterday from a seller out of Mumbai.

http://host.jwcinc.net/4194080/decem...lkhelmein1.JPG

I will let you know how it is when it arrives. I ordered it because he had pretty flawless feedback.

[unwatched]

Man, that is one beautiful watch. Do report back.

Most of those sellers do have flawless or close to it feedback. Which makes me think I might risk a few bucks. At worst, I'll be out $40-50 bucks, at best I'll have a nice-looking watch to wear for a couple of years. If it ain't all authentic, I'm OK with that.