When it's time for a new watch, this is the place to go.
Written: May 24 '03
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I have owned the same cheap Seiko for many years, replacing the battery often. A few years ago the second hand started to dangle in there. Last year the face chipped slightly. I have browsed various retail stores, catalogues, and on-line sites from time-to-time without feeling compelled enough to shell out for a new timepiece.
When the battery died this time, though, I did some online shopping. After making a few possible selections at other sites, I found worldofwatches.com. There was no need to go anywhere else.
Now, I doubt if most people are as ambivalent about the purchase as I and worldofwatches (I'll simply call it w-o-w from here on) can appeal to cheapskates like me, as well as more normal buyers, and even the upscale purchaser. It is a very complete site, easy to navigate, with excellent customer service and a very wide selection. Let's go to the videotape.
Choices, choices, and more choices
W-o-w!! Once you visit the site you can find just about any kind of watch you could want. Listed along the left-hand side are more than forty brands, including Bulova, Cartier, Casio, Gucci, Movado, Seiko, Van Cleef and Arpels, and lots more. Looking through those names you can see that the choices are vast. You might want to browse Rolex. There are nineteen pre-owned Rolex watches available, ranging from a Platinum Masterpiece, featuring Oyster Chronometer and Mother of Pearl dial with ten diamond hour markers at the high-end. This baby comes with a one year warranty, but at $56,500 they won't take MasterCard—you have to do a wire transfer. The least expensive Rolex is a Midsize Datejust at $4,290. You can also buy faces, dials, and other parts.
There are lots of lower-end inventory, too. The next search brought me a Citizen at $75—and it looks like a nice watch, too. In fact, you can filter watches with a simple search for everything under $100, $200, and $300. Do you want Men's or Women's watches, new or pre-owned?
You can learn a lot from browsing, as there is an online glossary, links to sizing information, policies for shipping and returns, etc.
I told you I was cheap, so I found a pre-owned Skagen for $20. But I also splurged and bought a $70 pocket watch. While shopping I could select items of interest and add them to my own "display case," allowing me to compare as I went along. For each watch on the website there is a wealth of details, including picture, works and band information, and just about everything you could think of.
Rating: 5/5
Ordering
Ordering was easy, secure, and accurate. I had to jump back-and-forth a little to buy more than one watch, but this was easy to do. Still, when the process was over the company asked for feedback and I volunteered this as an area for improvement.
Shipping rates were reasonable, credit card entry was secure, and the entire process took a matter of moments. Although these were purchased for myself, I took them up on the Free Gift card offer, just to see what that was all about. I was able to put together a note and include it with my order. As a point of reference, I have a friend whose mother wrote a nice little poem, so that was what I had printed. With your indulgence, here it is:
Life is filled with froth and bubble
Two things stand like stone—
Kindness in another’s trouble
Courage in your own.
~~ Joyce's Mom
I will give the card to Joyce the next time I see her.
Rating: 4/5
Shipping
Please recall, these are inexpensive watches. Nonetheless, the shipping was extraordinary. Each one was carefully boxed in a strong case of thick plastic. These cases are two-part construction, a cube with an outer and inner case. First, you slide the case from a cardboard sleeve. Then, press a fingertip into a hole in one surface. This pushes the inner case out. The watch is set in custom-cut foam. My watches each came with identical cases, but different foam based on the models. Take out the watch and under the foam is operating instructions. In the shipping packet is the packing list, a quality inspection document showing that each one was visibly inspected, the time was set, and various tests were run to make sure the time was accurate and the physical functions were complete. Each came with the warranty paperwork, contact and return information, and a certificate of authenticity. I selected regular ground mail, and the driver required my signature to drop off the package.
Rating: 5/5
Miscellaneous
The watch came unsized, as you would assume. A simple trip to a local jeweler, who set it for $5, was all I needed to complete the process. As recommended by w-o-w I have kept the extra links, right in the very case they sent it in, for future needs.
Bottom Line
If you are in the market for a watch, for yourself or to give as a gift, I can highly recommend this retailer.
Recommended:
Yes
What product did you purchase or try to purchase? Wristwatch
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Epinions.com ID:
aashtech
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Member: Steve
Location: Raleigh, NC
Reviews written: 111
Trusted by: 43 members
About Me:
Hack golfer and passable poker player.
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