Watch experts help please. Rotty ??

Bear · 30 Jan 2011 at 10:52

Its my 40th soon and because my wife feels its special, she wants to buy me something very nice, so I have decided she can put a large chunk towards a Panerai Luminor PAM 320 or 321 using the P/9001/2.

I'm going to chose one of these as they have in house movements as I dont feel right spending large amounts of money on recased Valijoux movements, although they are very good. (I have a seamaster).

So how good are the house movements ? I see that they arent COSC certified, not sure how important this is in reality as I havent checked to see if brands like JLC or Pateks etc. are COSC certified. I've had a look on Paneristi but there isnt much info and I'm not sure you would get the most objective view on there anyway. Thanks.

Bigpops · 30 Jan 2011 at 11:58

COSC certification is just a marketing point these days. With modern manufacturing techniques, I just can't see one failing the cosc certification as long as the watch maker has his job to decent standard (ie, the movement is clean, lubricated and the beat and rate set properly).

Think of how much they've kept off the price by not sending it to be certified.

Bear · 30 Jan 2011 at 12:10

Bigpops said:
COSC certification is just a marketing point these days. With modern manufacturing techniques, I just can't see one failing the cosc certification as long as the watch maker has set the done his job to decent standard (ie, the movement is clean, lubricated and the beat and rate set properly).

Think of how much they've kept off the price by not sending it to be certified.

Thanks

I have done some more research and it seems that JLC and others like A. Lange & Sohne and Audemars Piguet dont put their movements in for COSC certification, so I guess it isnt a mark of quality I initially thought it might be.

Bear · 30 Jan 2011 at 13:46

Also does anyone have much experience of using http://www.watchfinder.co.uk/ Are they any good ??

robbiemc · 30 Jan 2011 at 13:55

I sold one of my Omegas using Watchfinder and found them excellent.
They fully serviced and renovated mine before they advertised it (in my case it was a service, polish and new glass) so I'd be very happy to purchase one knowing it had gone through such extensive detailing.

Bear · 30 Jan 2011 at 17:27

robbiemc said:
I sold one of my Omegas using Watchfinder and found them excellent.
They fully serviced and renovated mine before they advertised it (in my case it was a service, polish and new glass) so I'd be very happy to purchase one knowing it had gone through such extensive detailing.

Cheers, my only concern is authenticity when potentially spending so much money on a secondhand watch.

Bear · 31 Jan 2011 at 19:37

Sorry for bringing this back up again but I want to know of any more experience of buying from watchfinder before I buy the watch tomorrow. Thanks.

Rotty · 3 Feb 2011 at 14:06

sorry been away, not used watchfinder myself but they are a reputabl company afaik

Jez · 3 Feb 2011 at 14:37

robbiemc said:
I sold one of my Omegas using Watchfinder and found them excellent.
They fully serviced and renovated mine before they advertised it (in my case it was a service, polish and new glass) so I'd be very happy to purchase one knowing it had gone through such extensive detailing.

How much did they charge you for their services? (Ie, how much less did you finally receive than the average ebay type price?)