What to note when buying pre-owned watches?

A lot of us buy pre-owned watches from time to time. Used watches are cheaper than BNIB watches and some of the discontinued vintage watches are also very attractive to collectors. So, what should we pay attention to in general when buying pre-owned watches?

 

1.      The case and the crystal

When you look at a watch, before you look at the dial, the case gives you the general impression of the quality of the watch. Pre-owned watches usually have scratches. Light scratches are ok as a good polish will perfectly eliminate them. However, if there are deep scratches or even dents, you may have to look for another one as polishing deep scratches or dents will totally change the shape of the case.

 

Other than scratches and dents, do check whether the case is over-polished. You can check whether the lugs point inwards too much and whether the case still looks “fat”. If watches with lug holes are over-polished, there is a risk that the lug holes are broken by the polishing and the pin may not be well secured.

 

After that, take a look at the crystal to see whether there is any dent or scratch. Also check if there is moisture on the crystal.

2.      The dial

Prepare a magnifying glass. No matter whether you are buying a collectible vintage pieces or just a used modern watch, you have to check the dial. The dial is basically the face of a human. Any defect on the dial can cost you a lot of money when you want to sell your piece. There are a few things to check.

 

First, check whether there is any scratch on the dial made by watchmakers. Second, check whether the dial has been remade with paints. You can spot the color difference if you are careful. Third, check the writing on the dial and make sure that the letters and fonts match the era the watch was produced. Fourth, do take a close look at the luminova materials on the hour markers and the hands and make sure that they are not overfilled. Lastly, take a look and see if there is any moisture on the dial.

3.      Serial number and bracelet

You have to be 100% sure that the serial number on the watch matches that on the warranty card. This can also help identify whether the watch is only parts from different watches put together. The serial number helps you identify which year the watch was made and the features of the watches from that particular era.

Next, you have to take a look at the bracelet and see whether it works normally. If it is too tight or too loose, some repair may be necessary.

 



4.      The movement

You can ask the watchmaker to open the case back and let you check the movement. If it is an automatic watch, you have to make sure that the winding rotor glide smoothly. You have to ensure that the writings on the movement say the same as what movement the watch should be equipped. You can also check whether there is dirt or dust among the gears. Do try to wind the watch afterwards to see if winding is smooth.

 

5. The Seller

Make sure there is reputation of the seller, some of the shops can take back you watch less 10% to 20% within a period of time.

 

HK Snob

 

 



Pre-owned Rolex I find for you

Submariner Ref 16610LV year 2005 HK$49,800 (watch only)

 

 

 

Ref 14060 2004

14060M 2004 year

 

 

 

I can find Rolex of the following model watch only in excellent condition.

1. Submariner Ref.14060M HK$34,000
2. Submariner Ref. 14060 HK$32,800
3. Submariner Ref. 16610LV HK$49,800
4. Sea dweller Ref. 16600 HK$45,800
5. Oyster Perpetual 26mm Stainless steel Ref. 67180 HK$11,500

HK Snob

Watch Gathering

Turn-O-graph Japan Limited version 300 Pieces

 

Submariner Ref 16613 Patina Dial

 

Submariner TT, Submariner Hulk, Turn-O-graph

 

 

 

James Bond Watch Hamilton Pulsar LED display

 

 

 

HK Snob

Super special Watch made with Sterling Silver 925

Imagine this is watch hand crafted by a Swiss watch master  with PP way of Polish on every part.
 
Stamp a name of PP, VC, AP, RG, or RM on it.

It is made of sterling Silver what many people likes it more when it get tarnishes... after age...

How Much will you pay for it?

USD$50K, 60K?  No! probably 2% of it...

This is a 47mm watch with manual winding.

PM me if you are interested in buying this watch, whilst stock lasts..

You will be surprise now your currency is so strong and really got a value buy!

HK Snob

PS I cannot wait to wear it and update on my Instagram!

Cartier Santos 100 mid Size for sale

Pre-owned 90% new Cartier Santos 100 Auto
Limited 2,000 pcs

Cash HK$29,000 with Box

HK Snob

PS Watch was Sold

IWC Da Vinci White Gold Perpetual Calendar with Chronometer on Sale

This is another Da Vinci watch on sale from a HK Local Collector who has many gold watches.

You may ask why does he want to sell this watch., well, he told me his is too old to read the dial as he is 65 year old by now. I know him since the early time of Swatch in 1989.

Well, If you like vintage watch, and don't mind to pay HK$71,000 for a Heavy solid Piece of gold watch with original gold buckle, with Full set of packing.

Or if you want to see it first before jumping into thought to "Buy" let me know I can bring to your home to see...

HK Snob

Rolex Submariner Two Tone Patina Dial on Sale

 



 

 

Submariner Patina Dial.

Full Set 1996 watch with 12 links

W Serial.

Nice Watch I recommend unless you don't like Gold!

 

HK Snob

PS watch was sold

 



Rolex Daytona White gold Ref 116509 on Sale

 

 

All Original Rolex year 2007 HK 888 Watch.
White Gold with warranty card and box.
and an extra after market diamond Bezel
Cash HK$167,000


Value Buy, considering that new Steel Daytona Ref 116500LN white is selling HK$135,000!

An After market diamond bezel is about HK$35,000 now


HK Snob

Mid-Autumn Moon-Phase watch feature

The moon phase complication may not be the most practical complication of all. It may be rendered obsolete by some. However, it is absolutely one of the most romantic complications on watches. At Mid-Autumn Festival, we present you a few watches with the moon phase complication that will impress.

 

1.      Grand Lange 1 Moon phase

 

 

 

The Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase is not just another Lange 1 in a bigger case. The moon phase is displayed on the same dial that displays the hours and minutes. Not only does this enable a clearer display of the moon phase, it also gives a stronger visual impact to the wearer. At 41 mm, the watch feels big enough on the wrist.



 

 

The moon phase display on the Grand Lange 1 Moon Phase is accurate to 99.9978% and it is driven by two gears. The moon phase disc has 382 stars on it. The rose gold edition is especially charming. Of course you also get the familiar fine decorations on the hand-wound movement which features a 3/4 German silver plate with screwed gold chatons and hand-engraved balance cock.

 

2.      Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon

 



 

 

This is probably the watch that is the most dedicated to moon phase display. The 42mm watch has a moon phase display that makes sure you enjoy look at. The moon itself has a diameter of 11mm.

 



 

 

 



 

This watch is offered in both rose gold and stainless steel with different dial options including cream and blue and black guilloche dial. The display case back enables you to admire an indicator of eight moon phase stages on the movement. The movement is well-decorated with Geneve stripes. The best thing is these do not come at a hefty price

 

3.      Piaget Emperador Moon Phase

 



 

 

 

 

This is a huge watch with a huge moon phase display. The moon disc is designed to give you the texture of the moon surface. At 46.5mm, this watch has a rose gold case and a blue dial. As a dressy watch, this is meant to impress by its size.

 



Another version of this watch features an enamel map of the world on the dial. It may not have the most accurate moon phase display, but it surely shows some class.

As far as my personal favourite is the Blancpain moon phase, the Moon illustrates dirty eyes that seems look down all kind of people who does not like Blancpain, a beautiful example.

And My Roger Dubuis moon phase plate is entire piece of Lapis Lazuli , see how serious they treat this small piece of watch component!

That is what people say, the early watch model is usually heavily made regardless of cost.

That is one of the reason people collect Vintage Watches!

HK Snob

Watch sale

Swiss Made Mickey Mouse and Disco Mickey on Sale

 

 Cartier Pasha with FP movement  HK$18,000 Cash

Zenith El Primero Chrono Full Set BNIB HK$29,600 Only

 Sub TT Patina purple Dial on sale

 

Rolex DJ 16018 new Black dial 18 KT Solid gold with Paper and solid Gold Rolex Buckle

HK$42,600

 

Not for Sale

 

HK Snob