How to check a used watch when buying from hand

There are many advantages and disadvantages of buying watches from hands, on the secondary market of used watches, which we have already described in the article. New or Pre-owned watches, what to choose?  But as with the pros, buying a pre-owned watch implies possible risks and subtleties that you need to pay attention to. 

How to check the clock on the spot, while not having experience and a familiar watchmaker? On behalf of an amateur watchmaker, I will try to convey to you my little experience. This article does not guarantee the purchase of a perfect watch, but it may help you reduce the risk of buying a bad watch. I also note that the topic is not suitable in all aspects for Vintage and Antique watches.

First of all, you must understand that the cheaper a particular watch is sold relative to the market,  the greater the risk, the less guarantees, and possibly the worse the condition of the watch. It is not necessary that a cheap ad is bad (Sometimes people lower the price due to the urgency of the sale), and vice versa. Here's how lucky. 

The words of the seller may not always be true, so you must rely solely on yourself and your experience. Usually this concerns questions about the condition of the watch, battery replacement, maintenance, and other issues that you still won’t find out about soon after purchase. Such information may be useful, but it is not worth accepting it as truth.

Let's start with the kit

If you have a complete set, including real documents of purchase with a seal, and matching serial numbers, ref. number - this is a plus, and a reduction in the risk of hidden pitfalls and possible defects. However, often, many sellers buy watch boxes separately, and sell watches with them, which is no different from buying the same watch without a box and documents. If the seller exhibits a watch without documents, a box, and other things that come with the purchase in a store, this is not always a bad thing. Many watch lovers throw away the packages, along with their contents, and do not think about selling watches in the future.

If everything suits you according to the set, then the appearance is checked. And I want to note that it is not always possible to determine the real condition of the watch from the photo. Sometimes life is better, sometimes worse. And many sellers may deliberately take photos where the main defects will be almost invisible.

Appearance

Before the meeting, it is recommended to watch video reviews and photos of the new watch in order to compare the appearance in the future. Inspection is preferably carried out in a well-lit place where all possible shortcomings will be visible. Look at the general condition of the watch, possibly scratches on the glass or case. If the watch has been polished - compare the photos of the new watch and the used one, whether everything is in place and looks the way it should (Matte should be matte, glossy should be glossy, and so on). Look carefully at the dial, hands, marks, compare with the new ones. They should not differ, and everything should be in place. 

The presence of rust or stains inside indicates that liquid has most likely entered the watch, and you should not take such a watch. Expensive watches have a high-quality finish of all elements, and each watch has its own reference, by which they are made completely identical within the given model number. The back of the watch must have the appropriate engravings, serial numbers, and model numbers, the quality of the engraving itself, the location of the text may also differ in the original watch, and fakes.

If there is glass on the back cover - compare the mechanism of the original watch, and your option in question. The mechanism must be completely identical, have the appropriate quality of finish, markings and elements. Recently, especially with modern watches of 2015+, very high-quality fakes appear. Pay attention to every detail, compare the colors of screws, engravings, decorative elements, fonts and shapes of various elements of the mechanism - there should be no differences. But even a thorough check on the spot wills not 100% guarantees the authenticity of the watch, but will only slightly protect you.

Check the operation of all watch functions, and whether they work correctly, whether everything moves as expected, switches as it should in the original watch. Often in cheap fakes, complex functions, such as a chronograph in a mechanical watch, are replaced by switching the date and days of the week at the touch of a button, and have only a decorative finish on the original.

It will be a plus if the watch comes with an original clasp (buckle), or a bracelet. Leather and rubber straps are usually consumable and can wear out within a year of wear.

A high seller rating on the site can also reduce the risk of problems and buying bad watches, but does not always give a 100% guarantee. 

We hope that this article will help you to choose a good watch in the secondary market easier.

Successful purchase, and the exact time!