Malaysia Watch Forum

Main Forums => General Discussion - Modern Watches => Topic started by: WatchW on March 10, 2016, 05:32:12 PM

Title: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: WatchW on March 10, 2016, 05:32:12 PM
The best method is to simply pay for an authentication service.
But here's a way you can do it for FREE!

- Bring pre-owned watch which is of "concern" to the Authorised Watch Service Centre to have the bracelet resized to fit your wrist.
- Bracelet size adjustment service is FOC!
- To adjust the watch bracelet, the watch will be exposed to close inspection by a watchsmith.
- If the said watch was not genuine, alarm bells will be ringing! (OK, maybe not literally, but you get the point!)


Disclaimer : Perform the above at your own risk. If watch found to be non-genuine, it may be confiscated.

Conclusion : When buying pre-owned watch, send watch for resizing before making the payment.

List of various Authorised Watch Service Centre has been graciously compiled by MWF Member - JeepWH.
Refer here --- http://www.malaysiawatchforum.com/index.php?topic=15860.0
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Harry33 on March 10, 2016, 11:25:34 PM
Not sure if this method's fool proof coz I've had experience at certain ADs, even the sales personnel is adept at resizing bracelets
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: WatchW on March 11, 2016, 04:17:08 AM

Not sure if this method's fool proof coz I've had experience at certain ADs, even the sales personnel is adept at resizing bracelets

Not the ADs, go to the Authorised Watch Service Centre.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: rnsm1979 on March 11, 2016, 04:18:40 AM
The best method is to simply pay for an authentication service.
But here's a way you can do it for FREE!

- Bring pre-owned watch which is of "concern" to the Authorised Watch Service Centre to have the bracelet resized to fit your wrist.
- Bracelet size adjustment service is FOC!
- To adjust the watch bracelet, the watch will be exposed to close inspection by a watchsmith.
- If the said watch was not genuine, alarm bells will be ringing! (OK, maybe not literally, but you get the point!)


Disclaimer : Perform the above at your own risk. If watch found to be non-genuine, it may be confiscated.

Conclusion : When buying pre-owned watch, send watch for resizing before making the payment.

List of various Authorised Watch Service Centre has been graciously compiled by MWF Member - JeepWH.
Refer here --- http://www.malaysiawatchforum.com/index.php?topic=15860.0

This is sooo true as i had tried this at rolex service center as per advise by seller
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Nickmax on March 11, 2016, 05:40:59 AM
Since we are talking about authentication, has anyone of you paid for an authentication service?
I am planning to authenticate a pre-owned omega watch but I wish to know whether do they provide me the authentication letter/documents? or they will just inform verbally?
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: vincenttan on March 11, 2016, 09:11:11 AM
Last time I did pay RM28 to identify authentication of an Omega in Wisma Goldhill,Swatch Center ;)
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: D'Andy on March 11, 2016, 09:11:42 AM
Since we are talking about authentication, has anyone of you paid for an authentication service?
I am planning to authenticate a pre-owned omega watch but I wish to know whether do they provide me the authentication letter/documents? or they will just inform verbally?

Will share my experience when I flipped off one of my Omega pieces. Buyer wanted to authenticate. So off we went to Goldhill. I explained to the CSR that we would like to authenticate the watch; and as it was still under warranty, they were able to retrieve the details from the system. CSR sent the watch to the watch smiths in the work room aka aquarium; after some time, gave back to us with a verbal confirmation (at no cost). CSR also taught the buyer how to tell that the Omega was a genuine piece. Buyer paid up, all went back happy.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Nickmax on March 11, 2016, 12:52:35 PM
Since we are talking about authentication, has anyone of you paid for an authentication service?
I am planning to authenticate a pre-owned omega watch but I wish to know whether do they provide me the authentication letter/documents? or they will just inform verbally?

Will share my experience when I flipped off one of my Omega pieces. Buyer wanted to authenticate. So off we went to Goldhill. I explained to the CSR that we would like to authenticate the watch; and as it was still under warranty, they were able to retrieve the details from the system. CSR sent the watch to the watch smiths in the work room aka aquarium; after some time, gave back to us with a verbal confirmation (at no cost). CSR also taught the buyer how to tell that the Omega was a genuine piece. Buyer paid up, all went back happy.

Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
So don't mind sharing as well on how to determine the Omega to be a Genuine piece.
so I can pre-authenticate the watch myself  :laugh:
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Nickmax on March 11, 2016, 07:37:36 PM
Last time I did pay RM28 to identify authentication of an Omega in Wisma Goldhill,Swatch Center ;)

so, upon the authentication service that you paid, what documents do you receive and what does it stated.
I am thinking of getting my omega authenticate for peace of mine purpose
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Timeless on March 12, 2016, 09:05:23 AM
Last time I did pay RM28 to identify authentication of an Omega in Wisma Goldhill,Swatch Center ;)

so, upon the authentication service that you paid, what documents do you receive and what does it stated.
I am thinking of getting my omega authenticate for peace of mine purpose

Is there a receipt with authentication writing?
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: forces908 on March 16, 2016, 03:29:37 PM
i would travel to omega AD next week. do we need to make appointment for the authetication?
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Hope on March 16, 2016, 04:15:18 PM
If fake will them fine or even take over the watch from owner?
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: D'Andy on March 16, 2016, 04:25:04 PM
Nickmax, what they shared with my previous buyer included the serial no. being reflected in their database, rear engraving/lettering, red/blue dot presence, etc.

Forces908, you could just walk-in for the authenticity checks.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: WatchW on March 16, 2016, 04:27:00 PM

i would travel to omega AD next week. do we need to make appointment for the authetication?

Not sure if you need an appointment with Omega Service Centre. But no harm to just pick up the phone and ask. You can also ask about their operating hours and also their charges.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: azzamov on March 16, 2016, 05:27:46 PM

i would travel to omega AD next week. do we need to make appointment for the authetication?

Not sure if you need an appointment with Omega Service Centre. But no harm to just pick up the phone and ask. You can also ask about their operating hours and also their charges.

The last time I went there, just walk-in without any appointment/reservation. If not mistaken way back in 2013...
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: forces908 on March 16, 2016, 11:50:54 PM
Okok,I shall call them when I around the city next week. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Nickmax on March 17, 2016, 06:29:03 AM
andywristwatches: Thank you so much for the sharing

I will be going to visit the service center in Menara Goldhill in these few weeks time. Will update about my visit there
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Everdying on March 17, 2016, 08:04:43 AM
technically, the omega piece of paper does not state it is authentic.
it basically just states the condition of the watch, scratches, dings etc.
but of cos if omega is willing to look-over it, that would mean it is authentic.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: akykmy on March 17, 2016, 08:12:36 AM
hi, sorry to divert the topic from omega, but the authentication process shld be the same for rolex as well at their authorized service center? also i have receive comments from some pre-owned watch dealers that they cannot go with prospective buyer to authenticate due to they cannot afford to "close shop" during that time... ??
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Everdying on March 17, 2016, 10:47:05 AM
hi, sorry to divert the topic from omega, but the authentication process shld be the same for rolex as well at their authorized service center? also i have receive comments from some pre-owned watch dealers that they cannot go with prospective buyer to authenticate due to they cannot afford to "close shop" during that time... ??

its about the same as omega, just not the price.
iirc its now about rm240 to 'authenticate' at rolex.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: akykmy on March 17, 2016, 12:09:11 PM
Yes, from a different perspective if you are willing to spend eg. 24k on a preowned watch, paying additional 1% to have the peace of mind that you have a genuine piece is a small price to pay... actually i think it's almost mandatory to do this as you dont want a situation where one day when you send it in to eg. RSC and they don't want to service the watch because its not genuine...
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Everdying on March 17, 2016, 12:21:49 PM
Yes, from a different perspective if you are willing to spend eg. 24k on a preowned watch, paying additional 1% to have the peace of mind that you have a genuine piece is a small price to pay... actually i think it's almost mandatory to do this as you dont want a situation where one day when you send it in to eg. RSC and they don't want to service the watch because its not genuine...

but on a different perspective for those ocd ppl.
sending in what may appear to be a perfectly nice looking piece, may turn up issues like 'chip in crystal', 'dent in case' etc that is not that noticeable to the naked eye.
then u'll forever be wondering about it :P
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: akykmy on March 17, 2016, 12:34:44 PM
haha, that's the crazy disease that ocd watch lovers can definitely contract...
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: WatchW on March 18, 2016, 05:46:13 AM

hi, sorry to divert the topic from omega, but the authentication process shld be the same for rolex as well at their authorized service center? also i have receive comments from some pre-owned watch dealers that they cannot go with prospective buyer to authenticate due to they cannot afford to "close shop" during that time... ??

It gets suspicious when pre-owned dealers make such statements.

Can always make time to go earlier in the morning. Rolex Service Centre opens at 9:00am while most shops open at 10:00am or later.

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160317/22b3cac8c37563d5f67f2867e8287a62.jpg)
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: akykmy on March 18, 2016, 09:56:56 AM
You are 200% correct! if preowned dealers or any seller for that matter is reluctant to allow authentication before payment this is "alarm bells" for me in my view...
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: keanewoon on March 18, 2016, 10:02:41 AM

Yes, from a different perspective if you are willing to spend eg. 24k on a preowned watch, paying additional 1% to have the peace of mind that you have a genuine piece is a small price to pay... actually i think it's almost mandatory to do this as you dont want a situation where one day when you send it in to eg. RSC and they don't want to service the watch because its not genuine...

but on a different perspective for those ocd ppl.
sending in what may appear to be a perfectly nice looking piece, may turn up issues like 'chip in crystal', 'dent in case' etc that is not that noticeable to the naked eye.
then u'll forever be wondering about it :P

This happened to me before. During cod, i tot the chip in the center region on the inside is just dust spec. When i send to rsc for service, they told me it's actually chip and cost me 600+ to replace.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: keanewoon on March 18, 2016, 10:04:36 AM

Yes, from a different perspective if you are willing to spend eg. 24k on a preowned watch, paying additional 1% to have the peace of mind that you have a genuine piece is a small price to pay... actually i think it's almost mandatory to do this as you dont want a situation where one day when you send it in to eg. RSC and they don't want to service the watch because its not genuine...


To me, authentication is not that hard of you know what you are buying or u have enough of experience in holding that particular model. But one thing that only rsc (for rolex) is whether the item is in their stolen goods database or not.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: Nickmax on March 24, 2016, 08:16:46 AM
Hi, just to share my experience with authenticating my omega watch at swatch group:
I just walk in on Friday (the place was crowded with people) to get it authenticated but apparently what they actually did was just a diagnosis of the watch condition and not verify the authenticity of the watch.

(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b449/nicholium/Swatch%20Group%201_zpsxemt83zt.jpg)
Quite a long queue

(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b449/nicholium/Swatch%20Group%202_zpsbdhvharx.jpg)
This is the report that I got

(http://i1044.photobucket.com/albums/b449/nicholium/Swatch%20Group%203_zpsexiqscys.jpg)

When I was about to leave, I actually asked whether is there a proper authentication process. The staff informed there is such services but the watch has to be send to Switzerland for the authentication at the cost of RM1100 and it takes 1 - 2 months.
If the watch were found not genuine, the watch will be confiscated and the owner still have to bear the postage charge of RM265. if the watch is genuine, there will be a proper documentation as well as new certificate issued for the watch.

 
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: WatchW on March 24, 2016, 08:22:16 AM
Nice sharing, Bro.

I think you can safely assume that your watch is genuine.
After all, it was closely inspected for by a trained Omega watchsmith. Surely, he/she would have known.
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: keanewoon on March 24, 2016, 09:32:48 AM
At least there is option to reissue certificate. Wonder will rolex offer the same service


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: TIP : How to tell for sure if the pre-owned watch you are buying is genuine
Post by: herng0326 on March 27, 2016, 10:47:11 AM
Bring it to the boutique for authentic verification.
Insist to do so.