Worth the gamble? Cheap used Tissot Powermatic 80
Hello fellow crunchers!
I've come across a very cheap used Tissot Chemin des Tourelles, the 42 mm black version, and I need some advice as I've yet to buy used watches. It is a physical meet up.
The price is 200 euro, and there's no receipt. I have been told several things that seems relatively legit: it's from a past relationship and owner wants to get rid of it for that reason. It's around 6 years old, and was bought at XY store where it also has been serviced.
Also, I've really no way of telling the condition of the movement. I've asked for it to be set according to an atomic clock, and I'll check when I look at it how it holds time. But obviously this can be tampered with.
The Powermatic 80 movement is also unable to be adjusted, so if it turns out to be losing a lot of time, servicing might not be an option. Not a big fan other Swatch Groups business model either. It does seem some internet people says the Powermatic 80 can be swapped for ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW200-1. Or maybe not?
I would appreciate any feed back, also on the legitimacy of the whole deal. It's not a lot of money even though I'm a student, but I recon I could probably sell it on with a profit unless it's totally messed up.
Thats a bargain 👍🏻
Get the serial number and check with the store. They should have a record of service at least.
Your buying that watch for the price of a new movement but you shouldn't have to worry about it.
Huh I haven’t looked much up about the powermatic 80, didn’t know it was non-adjustable!
The Powermatic 80 comes in different grades. At grey market sites a new Chemin des Tourelles starts around $280 with the C07.111 version of the movement, with a synthetic escapement.
If you like that particular watch I'd go for it, but I'd consider it an average deal.
For $212US I'd buy it no problem. Cool looking watch! 👍
Why is this watch being sold to you personally at this very cheap price? If it's really worth more, wouldn't the owner just sell on eBay? In a situation like this, I'd lean on the side of caution.
Why is this watch being sold to you personally at this very cheap price? If it's really worth more, wouldn't the owner just sell on eBay? In a situation like this, I'd lean on the side of caution.
That's my reasoning too. The owner says it's a watch they got from their ex, and therefore want to get rid of. I've tried calling the alledged store, to ask if they'd be able to confirm a sale from the serial number, but they're not able to do so.
I'm not convinced entirely, but it's hard to get more info at this point before meeting up.
Also there's the problem of Powermatic 80 (and it's Swatch Group-clones) that if a part's broken, it will likely need to be replaced entirely at Tissot's in Switzerland. If it had a regular 2824 or SW200 it would be another story and easily replacable.
It can be regulated, there are some youtube videos about it.
It is not that old to be malfuntioning, unless it was flooded or suffered a severe shock.
I would say to go to a watchmaker and put it on a timegrapher in at least 3 positions, and visually inspect it for traces of water inside.
Putting my money where my mouth is, I have 2 Tissots, 1 CdT I bought my wife this year, and a Hamilton that uses generally the same movement. No issues thus far but YMMV obviously.
Thanks for all the replies, they've been very helpful! Here's a little update on my end:
I ended up asking the guy, if he had the box the watch came in. He did not, but assured me he would not give me his adress if it wasn't legitimately his watch. This led me to write that it didn't feel "safe" for me to buy it with neither the receipt, the box or the confirmation from the store. And having no idea about the movement's condition.
Mind you, our agreement was for me to come look at the watch, and all communication was on a country specific (and less sketchy) pendant to Craigslist.
I must admit that the amounts of insults resulting from me pulling out, didn't exactly help to alleviate my suspicion.
Oh, and the profile of the seller was created on the same day as the watch was put up on the site, so I'm glad I stayed out of it to be honest 😀