Update
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Hi guys, just thought would list some questions I found especially useful to ask when buying a vintage watch with inputs from you wonderful guys here, hopefully helps some newbie collectors like myself get the watch they looking for. Is esp for those seeking originality and collector grade pieces or those willing to compromise on some parts so that we can become informed buyers rather than end up finding we purchased an unoriginal watch in good faith "assuming" it was all original. Important in cases where not enough information was provided or because the seller had a "Ask and I'll tell" policy rather than an upfront one. Offcourse again, please ask the knowledgeable guys here and send them pictures before you buy a watch. Also sometimes, if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is ,so please do conduct your own due diligence before buying.
Please help me fill in the missing bits.
General question to ask
Watch is original and has no replacements including service replacements
Individual part questions
Case:
Is it Polished/never polished/unpolished/over polished (since these definitions can mean different things to different people)/Original to the watch/Service replacement/Rusty
Caseback:
Caseback photo/Some have a timestamp like quarter/year
Lugs:
Thin/Thick/Polished/Never polished
Bracelet:
Is it period correct/Original to the watch/Service replacement/Polished/Refurbished
Hands/
Are they original to the watch/replacement hands/service replacements/relumed/ tritium matches the plots on the dial/ tritium doesn't match the plots on the dial/Cracking tritium
Dial
Is it original to the watch/ a replacement/service replacement/refinished/relumed/tritium matches the one on the hands/ tritium doesn't match the hands/ % perfect (eg 100% perfect dial)//Cracking tritium
Insert
Is it original to the watch/ a replacement/service replacement
Movement (doesn't impact collectability much unless a different movement is used)
Original/Service replacement/a different movement
Crown
Original/Service replacement
Crystal
Original/Original service replacement/service replacement
Degree and type of patina desired
There is a 0-6 patina type, please see the different types of patina from link in sticky here
http://rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=145962
Box and Papers
Original to the watch/Period correct but not original to the watch/none/Chronometer certificate (punched/double punched/written/typed)
Serial number
Serial number of the watch matches the time period the seller is advertised. (Note that this can have a variance of 1-2 years because might not be exact)
Service
A recent service/RSC service/no service
Returns & Buyer Protection
Period of time the buyer has to return the watch if something is amiss/ Will the seller stand by the watch after that time to safeguard his reputation since in most cases the return period is usually about 3-7 days. But a buyer discovers a watch is unoriginal too late as we have seen many times when new guys buy vintages in good faith, so "Buy the Seller".
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