Do you have to see a watch before you buy?

[Thomas Carey]

How many of you will not buy a watch before having the chance to see it in person first.

Are there only certain dealers that you will buy from. If so who are they?

For those of you that do buy watches on line. At one price point would you have to see a watch in person. Before you buy it?

[triton]

i must see the watch first before buying.

irregardless the price, i will want to see the watch before purchase. even when i deal with gray and private dealers, i also send it in for authentication

[1000g]

i must see the watch first before buying.

irregardless the price, i will want to see the watch before purchase. even when i deal with gray and private dealers, i also send it in for authentication

Same sentiments, especially the initial "FEEL"is very important to me.

[psee]

Generally yes ...

[Oceanklassik]

Similarly, I will want to see a watch first before buying it. Because I'd experienced that only when you put the watch on your wrist that actually determines your decision. On a different note, I will still buy a watch online without seeing it if it is not available locally. Having said that, I'd still want to have a feel of the watch either from a friend who has it, or some dealer/shop that carries it, but is selling at a premium price.

Take for example the Seiko samurai titanium (SBDA001). When I wanted to buy it then, it became a discontinued model and most shops/dealers did not have it anymore. The 'rare' few who still had it, wanted to sell at a very high price and it also didn't help that the jap yen was very high then. It was going at a price range of $800-$900 .

So I managed to try on the watch at one of the local shops that was trying to sell it to me at $810. I didn't buy from the shop and instead, bought it online from a jap watch dealer at a much lower price. I saved close to $200 doing so.

So in the above scenario, I'd still buy online if the price is less than 1k.

[jazz_samz]

Yes. Nothing less if I am getting from AD. If from pte dealer, see and authenticate at service center.

[Thomas Carey]

If its a watch your already quite familiar with, and its not one that is typically faked. Do you still feel you need to see the watch first?

[Darkangel]

If its a watch your already quite familiar with, and its not one that is typically faked. Do you still feel you need to see the watch first?

I believe unless it's BNIB...seeing the condition IRL is impt

[ejaan]

i must see the watch first before buying.

irregardless the price, i will want to see the watch before purchase. even when i deal with gray and private dealers, i also send it in for authentication

I second that. Especially when you have to part with a thick ward of cash.

[Ender]

On photos alone, I have purchased watches.
For me, bottomline is reliability of the seller. And my standards are rather strict, any doubt, I abandon the deal no matter how fantastic a price.

[blingking]

How many of you will not buy a watch before having the chance to see it in person first.

Are there only certain dealers that you will buy from. If so who are they?

For those of you that do buy watches on line. At one price point would you have to see a watch in person. Before you buy it?

I will try on the watch at a local AD first. Because the size of the watch really varies quite a lot between different brands and the type of watch.

Buying from the local AD is always very safe.

I do not buy online.

I think buying pre-owned watches locally is quite safe but you can never be sure about the condition of the watch.

[Sinner]

i will have to try on a watch b4 i buy so yes to your question.
no thanks to my small wrist so not every watch sits nicely on it.

[ejaan]

Me too. I need to see the watch in the flesh and on my wrist before deciding.

[louie]

How many of you will not buy a watch before having the chance to see it in person first.

Are there only certain dealers that you will buy from. If so who are they?

For those of you that do buy watches on line. At one price point would you have to see a watch in person. Before you buy it?

i never seen mine,nvr tried any on wrist before.....as long seller is legit,insurance covered i'll go for it.


PS.Now i'm alot more careful with seller's references and background (ever since got scam the last time by an overseas seller) Priority will be given to seller i known or had dealt with. If first time dealing,he/she must be well known in the watch community and preferably an old timer in the watch forum.

[Spentaz]

Duh haha. The main reason is because I have sensitive skin , which means I only can wear metal/ss watches, however, some bracelets but I can't wear or else will start itching. So I will have to try and "feel" the watch before buying.