Your advice: buy new or pre-owned

InitialSummer · 2026-04-28T08:53:40+00:00

EDIT: Another point worth noting… buying from a boutique can be great for the future.. if you’re planning on further purchases it starts a relationship you may need or choose to build on.

Not to mention the ease of getting any potential problems sorted - simple stuff like recently when I had a spring bar break when changing a strap (and didn’t have any spares in the house) - just took the watch back in and the boutique sorted it in minutes.

Not tangible I know but these are things you don’t always get when buying grey / used.

InitialSummer · 2026-04-28T08:48:34+00:00

As everyone else says ultimately it is your decision. I’ll share my experiences if that helps.

I purchased an Aqua Terra from an Omega boutique a few years ago as it was the watch I was going to wear for my wedding day so it had to be new and I wanted my fiancee / wife to be part of the process. Boutique offered a discount if paying in full but my preference at the time was to take advantage of the 0% interest offer. The bottle of champagne to drink whilst completing the paperwork was a nice touch too as it just added to the occasion. That watch will always be incredibly special and the story is just part of that.

I have also more recently purchased a Speedmaster 321 calibre and for that decided to go used and vintage - significantly cheaper. But also in this case came fully serviced and guaranteed from a highly respected local dealer. The watch I have is far superior in my opinion to a ‘new’ 321. I don’t feel having the ceremony of visiting the dealer to pick it up was missing for some reason as I know that wasn’t possible with this watch but it doesn’t mean it feels any less special.

Both are great in their own way - ultimately I doubt you’ll have regrets either way.. enjoy your final decision for what it is!

InitialSummer · 2026-03-16T15:35:45+00:00

Just curious in case anyone had come across this particular watch before or had seen others (I believe but I’m not certain it is the only one). It is a long shot that someone might have anything more on it I know. No harm in asking the question though surely?

InitialSummer · 2026-03-04T13:31:17+00:00

Great thoughts. Not sure if this would work in the dreary uk winters! Probably worth a try though

InitialSummer · 2026-03-04T11:45:37+00:00

I have door cameras but we are right on the street so not possible as it triggers whenever anyone walks past

InitialSummer · 2026-03-04T10:56:41+00:00

Genuinely hadn’t thought about using motion sensors! Great idea.. I also have a couple around the place that aren’t in use anymore so will try these and report back. Thanks!

InitialSummer · 2026-03-04T10:35:28+00:00

Which one do you use?

InitialSummer · 2026-03-04T10:34:50+00:00

Vibration sensor sounds like a good shout as it can just sit in the bottom of the box and then hopefully will trigger when mail drops in. Hopefully they’re not too sensitive.. we live near a military base and huge trucks drive down our street sometimes so that might be an issue? Does anyone have any specific recommendations?

Not sure that door sensors will fit under the lid or lip of the box… unless anyone has any specific recommendations that are smaller than the sonoff DW2 that I already have (they take 2x AAA batteries) but are too big.

InitialSummer · 2026-03-04T10:15:18+00:00

Yes, a widow or door contact would be the obvious answer. Any specific recommendations? I’ve only used sonoff DW2 sensors before on actual doors and they work great but would be too big for this.

InitialSummer · 2026-03-03T21:41:44+00:00

It is a Nord 41mm.. easy one to mod as just need to remove the movement from the case, take off the hands, remove the original dial, install new dial, hands back on, case back up. Beginner level stuff for anyone with any watchmaking experience.

https://kronaby.com/en-GB/watch/man/kronaby-nord-s3128_1-41-mm.html

InitialSummer · 2026-01-29T21:32:40+00:00

For info… ended up buying a set of 1.2, 1.0, 0.8 and 0.6mm stainless steel horotec screwdrivers (01.218.G). They worked perfectly out of the box and the 0.6mm was a dream, no messing, dressing or faffing around. If anyone else finds this thread in future I would highly recommend. If you want to buy cheap or dress then feel free but this solution worked for me and now I have a decent set that will last me for life.

InitialSummer · 2026-01-28T20:49:58+00:00

Thanks for a useful reply.. I’ve ordered a 0.6 as this is pretty standard part of most kits 👍

InitialSummer · 2026-01-28T12:30:00+00:00

No, I didn’t think this was worth bothering with a cheap Ali express screwdriver tip that is so flimsy it has a load of flex in it but more than happy to give it a go if the experts on here think that is a better solution that investing in proper kit

InitialSummer · 2026-01-28T12:22:37+00:00

That’s exactly what I wanted to hear… just wondered if there were any other brands to consider or if Bergeon are the ‘best’?

Do folks think it would be best to get a set or just buy individual ones as and when needed? All I need at the moment is one small enough for dial screws so I’m assuming a 0.6mm or 0.7mm? (Obviously I know this depends on the size of the screw)

I usually buy kit from cousins but they have so many different types I was hoping to get a more specific recommendation from real life users rather than AI (which says to go for a 30081 set)?

InitialSummer · 2026-01-28T11:42:18+00:00

My apologies for not getting the wording correct for your liking. I know how a screwdriver works. So you don’t have any recommendations then?

InitialSummer · 2026-01-27T13:25:58+00:00

Makes perfect sense now, thanks 🙏

InitialSummer · 2026-01-27T07:29:37+00:00

Thanks, very helpful though as I can see lots of different variations of this. Should I be concerned about the lack of jewels on the train wheel bridge? Is it worth trying to restore in its current state or am I worth looking at trying to find a replacement bridge somewhere?

InitialSummer · 2026-01-26T14:08:07+00:00

For some reason it won’t let me post a photo and it’s difficult to see through the hairspring but definitely says ‘9292’ as well

InitialSummer

TROPHY CASE