Watch buying tips

[tantalus]

I'm in the process of waiting on a 6139-7100 I bought off of Ebay. I learned only after winning the auction that it's bad practice to purchase watches from the Philippines. 

My question for you guys. What are some good tips for purchasing used watches? What should I be looking for and what kind of things should I stay away from?

I apologize if this has been covered before.

[cd_god]

I would say any used mechanical Seiko or chrono factor the cost of a movement service into you overall purchase price.

[Groundhog66]

I highly recommend, you run any potential purchases, by someone who really knows what to look for. It's a bummer to make a purchase, only for others to tell you that you bought something full of aftermarket parts. 

[catkicker]

Good advice. You can usually capture ebay description pics. Post them with the details. You will get sound advice.
Majority of the time I refine my ebay search to North American auctions. I tend to see more vintage Seikos sold by owners rather then businesses.

[cobrajet25]

Here are four rules that have served me well over the last twelve years of collecting Seikos:

1) Don't buy anything from SE Asia (Thailand, Philippines, etc) unless it is a parts watch.  They are great photographers, but the watches are mostly pieced together junk.

2) Don't buy watches from people who sell a lot of watches.  Buy from someone who sells random stuff, and just happened across a Seiko at a yard sale or in their dad's sock drawer. 

3) DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Look at pics, ask around, and know exactly what you are looking at.  Don't ask questions AFTER you buy.

4) Look for snow white lume (luminous paint on hands and markers).  White lume generally means moisture has not entered the case.  Seikos are sealed up pretty well, but are often not serviced regularly as are more expensive brands.  People often just wear them until they notice fog inside the crystal.

Vintage Seikos tend to be difficult to restore because original parts (particularly cosmetic parts) are nearly impossible to find.  I have found it is better to buy a watch that looks good and has a mechanical problem than a ratty-looking watch that runs well.  A watchmaker can usually sort a mechanical problem (might be expensive), but they cannot conjure up a new dial or bezel that went out of production in the 1970s.

Good luck!

[69ChevelleSS]

One piece of advice I can add is try to buy from fellow forum members if at all possible.  I've bought a few of my Seikos from members here (though the transactions started at another board - before WS) and I've had nothing but excellent results.

You may want to keep an eye on the for sale board here and you can always post a "WTB" (Want to Buy) and see if you get any nibbles.

[tantalus]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the feedback. Hopefully I'll get lucky with the 6139.