Hi everyone! New to the watch game and want to buy my first luxury watch. My top option so far is Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra (22010412103004 - photo attached) and I wanted to ask this group 1. if this is a pretty solid choice and 2. What the best way to purchasing it would be. My budget is around 3-7k. If im spending 6-7k, some other watch people i am friends with are saying might as well get a Rolex, but I am seeing them go for much more than this and also have heard they are tough to actually locate and purchase
At the Omega store, if i walked out with it i would be looking at $6,750 with tax… when i check chrono24 and other online sources they have this for about 1k cheaper. Is there a risk with going with them? I also am not super opposed to buying lightly used, but only if the watch doesn’t have any obvious dings and is basically in “new” shape.
What do you guys think is the best way to go about purchasing? I want to have 100% confidence that the watch is real and for it to be in good shape, but also saving ~1k if i can seems like a no brainer.
THANK YOU ALL!!! Photos and Link below of my top choice so far, but also open to suggestions in this price range.
Regarding the “might as well get a rolex”. Only if a rolex is what you want. They sound like its somehow objectively better.
From my point of view, rolex is only objectively better at one thing and thats brand recognition. If you want to impress average Joes on the street with how fancy your watch is, rolex certainly is the way to go.
However to me thats more a downside than an advantage.
And compared to an equivalent rolex like a datejust, the aquaterra has better water resistance, better magnetic resistance and equivalent accuracy (actually rolex is technically more accurate at +/-2 seconds per day than omegas 0 to +5, but being fast but not slow is imo more practical, as its easier to correct).
The omega also has an open caseback, which is a big plus in my book. And can be bought with a discount and a true luxury buying experience. Rather than having to play weird games for the privilige of spending a ton of money. Also i think it actually looks better too.
Don’t feel shy about asking for a discount on Omega watches. Doesn’t make sense to pay full price for an Omega during this luxury market slowdown.
Ask for a “price consideration” of 15% off. Then also tell the sales associate that you’re ready to buy instantly. There may be some haggling but don’t go below 10% off.
Thank u!
Buy it! It’s beautiful.
You might actually want to wait a bit, watches often are heavily discounted from Black Friday sales right on through Christmas. Particularly the watch shops that sell a variety of brands of watches- if you don’t haggle the Omega Boutiques are pretty much the most expensive places to buy them, but there are loads of legitimate watch shops that sell them at lower prices.
Jomashop has it for $4725. I have bought a few watches there and it was a good experience. Good luck.
Just FYI this an absolute amazing watch to own (I have the same one). Enjoy it, you will not regret it.
Everyone is bickering about prices. Yes this is a great watch. A classic.
I swear these used to available for half that price on the grey market. Solid option but If I were you I’d shop around various trusted grey market dealers for sub 5k.
I bought my first “nice” watch at an AD, and I think good way to go to get a “proper” experience and fitting. Maybe ask for 10% off, but I would not be too insistent the first time. Building a relationship with a good dealer could be helpful in the future. If you do buy online, I assume you’ll need to get it fitted with links adjusted, etc. I am not sure where to do that, but maybe could go to a watch shop or jeweler to see if they would do, probably would cost $20 or so. I have subsequently 2 watches on Chrono24 with no real issues, but some hassles dealing with shipping. The both had straps, so no adjustments needed.