Red Flag? Red Flag
eBay Listing:
The watch is running & keeping time, however I do not know when it was last serviced therefore I highly recommend immediate maintenance as these movements have been sitting idle for a while.
Sooooo, NOT running?
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Todd
Long time watch appreciator, 2022 inductee into the obsession. Originator (or perpetrator depending on your point of view) of #WhimsicalWednesday, #MacroMay & #MacroMonday Omega Speedmaster simp. Like...
Utah, USA
Member since
Last active: 3 hrs ago
19.05 cm
Read carefully. The watch has been sitting idle for an indeterminant length of time until the seller happened upon it. It is running and keeping time now but the seller advises the buyer to get the movement serviced because they aren't sure how long it has been sitting.
Sometimes watches get put in a drawer because the styles change and the owner buys something new. Tank watches become passe so a new round watch or a new quartz watch, etc. The old watches still work but eventually the oils lose their viscosity.
Just like dry cleaners and shoe repair shops, watchmakers accumulate watches that are never picked up. Sellers find these and buy them in lots.
That is a seller telling you that they didn't do anything to it. Sometimes that is better than "serviced" because you don't know what their version of servicing entails. They clean it up and throw a little oil on the jewels. Talented amateurs will do a real service, but that is reflected in the sale price.
Think of this as a barn find car that starts and idles. The ability to run is just proof of viability and not an okay to begin regular use. Would you drive a recently resurrected car whose mechanical state, to include the level/state of any ancient fluids, is a total mystery?
It's a surprisingly honest and cautious assessment. One is certainly free to ask to what standard the timekeeping is, but it's also pretty safe to assume that it will improve once serviced.
Check the feedback score.... you always buy the seller not the watch