What are your thoughts on buying high-end timepieces, like Tag Heuer or Omega, from non-authorized dealers, either from local jewelers or even the internet?

 

how do you make sure they are real? I bought a fake tag watch in NYC for $15 and it looked pretty damn good. I got lots of compliments on it. Everyone can tell a fake Rolex, but the average person doesn't know that much about Tag.

 

The only thing that I would be wary of is that it will not be any type of factory warranty. So if your watch f's up, you'll have to pay to get it fixed. But if you're okay with it, I would make sure that the place isn't shady.

 

I've been buying grey-market watches in NYC (35%->40% off MSRP). The dealer is reputable (in my mind), same stand in jewelery district for 10+ years that I have gone. He will repair/replace any watch during the warranty period, just like a manufacturer. Have never had a problem. He carries Seiko to Rolex, and higher (from a cost perspective).

I have been looking for a new watch and still can't pull the trigger on an internet store-front, will most likely go back to him.

Michael

 

For used watches, this guy is top-notch:

www.watchseller.com

For new watches, I've used this guy, and he's been great:

http://www.smwatches.com/en/

 

$5850? I thought this watch was worth much more then that?

 

Worth is very subjective.

 

I'm I gonna see you this weekend? if so I'm giving you a smack

 

I bought my TAG from an authorized dealer. It is the only way you can guarantee it is authentic. If you trust the non-authorized dealer, go ahead, but many if not most of the internet ones are not authorized and may try to pass off a fake as real.

then again, fakes look real to most people. Slapping an M3 badge on a 318i has fooled many people...a fake watch is less obvious.

 

Nope.


My point is that what a watch (or anything really) is worth is subjective. What makes a $5850 watch different from a $3000 grey market, or the $3000 grey market different from a $200 knock-off or a $50 fake?

If your goal is to impress people (in other words make them think you have a lot of money, regardless of if you do), the $50 fake is probably worth it, but the $5850 real deal isn't. Even if the $50 fake breaks in a month, you just get another one. You can get almost 10 years worth of fakes for the price of one real watch. If you like the style but don't care for impressing people, the $200 knock off seems to be worth it, but the $50 fake not so much (since the knock off is in theory a more functional piece). If you really do have the money, what does the extra $2850 get you? Piece of mind, a definite warranty, etc?