zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: Hi, new to this forum, i am going to buy a new moonwatch and will
: be travelling to Singapore next week to do so. Does anyone know
: whether it is possible to buy a moonwatch "cheaper" at
: any of the Auth Retailers there or indeed whether it would be
: better to buy one here in Europe. Many thanks for any
: adivce........

First, are you sure you have to buy new? Assuming that you are interested in a classic manual wind Speedy Pro, with closed back and hesalite crystal, the watch head is essentially unchanged since the 1980s. The bracelets have been improved several times, but the appearance (of them) is very similar. Preowned can be significantly less expensive.

Second, are you sure which model you want? Omega offers many variations of the basic design elements (black face, white font, stick hands, twisted or bombe lugs, asymmetrical case with crown protection, etc.); from a smaller automatic (with chronograph module); to variations on the Speedy Pro theme with display backs and moonphase complications; to a new larger automatic which includes the date. Your search becomes much easier if you know the model number and can narrow your quest.

Revisiting the first item, even the newest models and variations are available preowned, if you will consider that option.

Third, do you have to walk out of the store with the watch on? If not, you may be able to obtain a watch on a mail order basis at a significant discount from retail from a select number of authorized dealers who will ship watches. I know of two in the USA.

Fourth, while I don't recommend "gray market" dealers (non-authorized dealers selling new watches), some have dealt with them successfully. In fact, I have. My experience was that I got a "stale" watch; that is, one that had spent 5 or so years in the retail chain without selling, which was otherwise in good, new condition.

Hope this was helpful . . .