Interesting topic, of course if the owner doesn't know or does not say, there is no real way of knowing if a watch is a nos put together from original parts or as it left the factory. I'm not convinced there is any value difference it's more a warm glow for yourself in knowing it's true nos.

: Scott:

: You make some good points, and I will admit to being picky about
: this. Still, I would like to know whether a watch is in its
: "original" mint condition or whether it has been
: restored to mint condition.

: Let's take an example: an Monaco or Autavia that was purchased in
: very good condition, but with moderate scratches and a nicks on
: the case, and discoloration of the lume, and say a couple of the
: lume spots missing. The seller has the case refinished and also
: retouches (or replaces) the lume dots, so that the watch appears
: to be in mint condition. At a car show, it would be a "100
: point" car.

: Still, as a prospective buyer, I would want to know that the case
: has recently been refinished. In other words, this is not the
: finish from the original manufacturing of the watch, but has
: been done by a skilled watchmaker / case-refinisher. The watch
: looks perfect in every way, but this is not the original finish
: from the factory. Yes, so microscopic bits of the original metal
: are missing.

: Maybe I'm too picky about this, but if I am paying $9,000 for the
: Monaco or $5,000 for the Siffert, I would like to know who put
: the finish on the case (and the lume on the dial) -- the factory
: (in 1972) or a restorer (three weeks ago). This information is
: easily conveyed by the phrases "original mint"
: condition or "restored to mint". If the seller has
: this information, then he should share it with his prospective
: purchaser. You are correct that in many instances the seller
: will not have this information, in which case he can only
: describe what he is seeing.

: Keep in mind that we are collecting "history"; if a watch
: comes with this history, then I am willing to pay a premium for
: it. But I do get tired of seeing beaters purchased on eBay (say,
: a Siffert for $2,200), then some months later they are offered
: as being in "mint" condition (for $4,200) or
: "NOS" (for $5,500). Yes, the watch has had an $800
: servicing / restoration in the interim, but just a few months
: ago, it was a $2,200 beater. The seller is not offering a watch
: as it came from the factory, he is offering the skill and good
: work of his own watchmaker / refinisher. Our collecting world is
: a bit better, if this information is shared with the next owner.

: In my experience, "mint" is rarest of all; we see a lot
: of "near mint"; we see some "NOS"; etc.

: Jeff

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