Buying without trying first

[Watchman001]

With the AD games and vintage not being regularly available, are most people buying via internet without being able to try on? I’ve rarely done that in the past, but am now having to consider that approach. I don’t like it, but not sure what alternatives there are. We all know how watches differ in the metal and some sing and some don’t. Any thoughts and ideas on the subject?

[painexpert]

Originally Posted by Watchman001

With the AD games and vintage not being regularly available, are most people buying via internet without being able to try on? I’ve rarely done that in the past, but am now having to consider that approach. I don’t like it, but not sure what alternatives there are. We all know how watches differ in the metal and some sing and some don’t. Any thoughts and ideas on the subject?

Go to an AD and try on the "exhibition" watches you like and then make your decision.

[Joearch]

Watches are so different on the wrist. Super risky to purchase unseen.

[kieselguhr]

Ill advised to buy something without trying it on first. Even at the height of watch collecting craze when Rolex AD display cases were empty, I would go to Tourneau (now Bucherer) and try on watches I was interested in at their preowned section.

[TunaTuna]

As a matter of fact, I'm going to my local jewelry district tomorrow to try on a watch. You can find everything at the second hand dealers. Try them on, say thank you, then make your online purchase. Simple

[Bryan81]

Maybe I’m a minority, but I’ve bought many watches from online sellers without being able to try them on and have never received it and been disappointed. I also buy clothes online. I haven’t tried clothes on at a store since I was a child. I guess, I know what size a 36mm is on my wrist, what a 40mm looks like, etc. Aside from size, I don’t know what would be different than the picture.


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[Mdpaint]

Originally Posted by Bryan81

Maybe I’m a minority, but I’ve bought many watches from online sellers without being able to try them on and have never received it and been disappointed. I also buy clothes online. I haven’t tried clothes on at a store since I was a child. I guess, I know what size a 36mm is on my wrist, what a 40mm looks like, etc. Aside from size, I don’t know what would be different than the picture.


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I Agree, its not rocket science

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[mile2424]

It’s also tough because the AD exhibition pieces don’t have every version and dial color etc. You can give a rough idea of a model maybe you have never seen or tried before which is helpful, but still not as easy as trying on the full catalogue.

For me it’s also hard because I feel like the more you wear a piece the more you adapt. But also depends on how it fits into your collection etc.

If you can try on, definitely helps.

[AF_Rob]

The mm of the case I have the most wag on. The lug to lug and case thickness can kill a watch for me. I know my threshold for each.

Keeping those two numbers in mind, I have never been disappointed online.


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[996marty]

Once you know what size works for you buying unseen for me isn’t a problem. You just need to go through the process of trying on to establish what works for you or doesn’t

[joli160]

I would make some effort to try.
Many Rolex wear completely different on the wrist.

[chris242]

Pretty much any watch you could possibly want is available on the grey market, find a couple of dealers close by that have a large inventory, or atleast a few models you’d be interested in and stop by to feel them out.


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[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Bryan81

Maybe I’m a minority, but I’ve bought many watches from online sellers without being able to try them on and have never received it and been disappointed. I also buy clothes online. I haven’t tried clothes on at a store since I was a child. I guess, I know what size a 36mm is on my wrist, what a 40mm looks like, etc. Aside from size, I don’t know what would be different than the picture.


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What he said is true, for me, too, except for my Rolexes. They were mostly purchased, in person, though a few were shipped to me, sight unseen, from a trusted dealer. I’ve never returned any, because I didn’t like them.

.
Kat


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[brandrea]

I’ve done it twice and in both cases it’s worked out for me. Could just be dumb luck …

Once was when I bought a PAM690. It was already sold out at boutiques, so I had no chance to see one in person.

The other was my 321. Boutique only, and the only boutique in Canada is like 4400 km away

In general, though I agree with others, always do your best to try on if you can

[JC316]

My one rule is never to buy blind and always try on wrist first.

[Brian Page]

I really try not to purchase without trying, I'd say it's been fifty fifty as far as a total win when n ot seeing it on the wrist first. That being said, I've bought lots of pieces sight unseen but they mostly are models I've tried at some point and were on my radar. I try hard not to buy something site unseen and a model I haven't held in my hand at one point.

[ArtNouveau]

The only Rolex I ever bought sight unseen was my BLRO. I was put on the “list” the day they were announced but I already had a BLNR and had seen the WG version so it wasn’t a total guess.

[East of Eden]

The other advantage of in-person is you may try on and like something you never thought you would

[Meyrin]

The only watch I have ever bought unseen and untried on is my Casio G-Shock 5610U, bought two years ago from Amazon for less than €100. I reckoned that at that almost "giveaway" price it just didn´t matter if I didn´t like it, and I wouldn´t cry over it. But I would not buy any expensive watch (Rolex or any other make) without trying it on first. I still have the G-shock, and love it! So different from my old Submariner...

[colonelpurple]

It is the little things. It has to fit nicely. If there is something sharp, overhand, weight or anything else that hits you when trying on, it will be double when wearing it everyday

[Polyesterpig]

Larger wrist sizes generally accommodate a wider range of watch sizes and styles without compromising on comfort, whereas smaller wrists might require more specific sizes and designs to ensure the watch fits well and feels good.

[Mr Ben]

Originally Posted by Bryan81

Maybe I’m a minority, but I’ve bought many watches from online sellers without being able to try them on and have never received it and been disappointed. I also buy clothes online. I haven’t tried clothes on at a store since I was a child. I guess, I know what size a 36mm is on my wrist, what a 40mm looks like, etc. Aside from size, I don’t know what would be different than the picture.


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I think this works if you’re familiar with what you’re buying. When I buy clothes, sometimes I’m a medium, sometimes a large so I do prefer to try them on.

I thought I really liked the BB Pro then tried it on and found it was a bit slab sided and top heavy. I thought I wanted a sub then tried it on next to an Exp II and just found the Exp II more comfortable and interesting.

Not the end of the world if I buy a t-shirt that doesn’t fit that well but I’d want to be pretty sure with a Rolex.

[mjolnir2thor]

Originally Posted by Watchman001

With the AD games and vintage not being regularly available, are most people buying via internet without being able to try on? I’ve rarely done that in the past, but am now having to consider that approach. I don’t like it, but not sure what alternatives there are. We all know how watches differ in the metal and some sing and some don’t. Any thoughts and ideas on the subject?

For modern Rolex models, you should be able to find a "display" model to try on at an AD before purchasing. If you buy from a reputable pre-owned reseller (e.g., DavidSW or EWC) they do offer a return policy within X days for you to determine if you want to keep the watch or not. Read their return policies carefully and ask questions to a representative. This takes out some of the uncertainly about a watch should it not appeal to you.

[Ketler]

Have purchased dozens of Rolex and other brand watches over the last 50 plus years...
The only watch I ever tried on before buying it was a Speed Master...Ended up selling it 4 months later...

[928ktgold]

Go eBay. 3rd party authentication and some of them offer returns

[TBS]

Originally Posted by jtorrebl

Go eBay. 3rd party authentication and some of them offer returns

I have bought several off ebay after making a decision what to buy after trying on at an AD or local grey market shop. The third party authentication gave me piece of mind that what I was getting was what it said it was. I have been quite pleased every time.

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[JSolution]

I once very nearly bought an AP 15500 sight unseen - I was totally certain I wanted it. I tried it on just by chance by local dealer had all three dial colours in. I absolutely hated it, didn’t like the look, feel, appearance, anything.

So i would always try it on first now :)

[Spartacus]

I always try on before buying.

Exhibition watches, brick and mortal grey or pre-owned, friends, watch meets, all great opportunities to try on a watch for size and fit, not always the same dials or bezel but trying on can give you a great idea on what fits vs not.

I was fortunate to be at a watch get together and tried in a 116500 almost two years before I would eventually buy one through my AD. The DSSD took me years of back and forth, I must have tried that thing on 20 different times before eventually buying and loving the watch.

Recently, I tried on a white dial Skydweller, while it looks amazing, and I always wanted one, it did not fit me, unfortunately. Trying is always a great idea, online pics are only 2D and everyone has different preferences.

Enjoy!

[bp1000]

Over a certain value, can't imagine not holding something before buying it unless I was purchasing something very specific or something I had already seen in person extensively before.

On the topic of watches, what you see in pictures and what you believe looks good can feel, wear and look very different on the wrist.

[Watchman001]

I agree, not comfortable with buying without trying first. Just having a hard time finding the pieces I want to try on in local dealers, authorized or otherwise. I guess buying online with a return policy could help mitigate, but that still does not allow you to easily compare a couple of candidates and decide which you prefer.