re: Who has experience with Jomashop to buy watches?

void

void

I've used them several times. You can buy watches from $30 to $250,000 on that site. Never had a problem with the quality or delivery.

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some are more comfortable with it than others.

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I have always purchased Gray Market and didn't even think about it as I never had a warranty issue across a litany of brands and models. Bought a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck a couple of years ago and it wouldn't wind almost the day after I got it. I figured I was screwed but sent it to their warranty service in the US and they fixed it no questions asked. I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Do they just threaten the no warranty for Gray Market to support their dealers but then quietly honor the warranty anyway?

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A Word To The Wise

always buy new quality timepieces directly from an authorized retailer of the manufacturer...

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A word from someone that has bought well over 100 watches from ADs, individuals (used), and the gray market.

Every one of the watches in the gray market was originally sold by an AD (with the rare exception where a manufacturer sold into the gray market which does happen). The gray market used to be a crap shoot many years ago during the days of wiped serial numbers et al. There is a very legitimate gray market today and Joma is part of it. If you want high end watches I would avoid Joma since they rarely actually have inventory, they will source it when they get a sale, you can see this when it shows weeks for availability. Gray market sellers like DavidSW are fine for mid and high-end stuff.

There is a small gamble with any gray market seller because even a new watch can have issues. Their warranty service is much better than it used to be. IME warranty issues are very rare but they do happen. The benefit to going gray is that you will pay FMV for the watch and for many brands that means a very large discount, one ADs can't match. I don't know how many watches I have bought from Joma (over 15 under 25) and I have never had an issue with one. They are my go-to for entry-level and lower mid-tier watches I want to buy new.

If you want to buy one good watch then maybe a local dealer gives you peace of mind. If you want to build a buying resume at a dealer that sells Rolex or Patek because you want to purchase one of those in the future that extra coin you spend on the less expensive and hard-to-get watches at the dealer is just part of the price of the later Rolex or Patek.

You should do your research before buying from any gray market dealer but the consensus of every watch forum I am aware of is Joma is trusted for watches up to say 2-3k and maybe more depending on the brand but I definitely would not buy a Patek, Lange, AP or VC from them and I don't really know anyone in the community that would. I would never buy high-end or Rolex (for different reasons) at arm's length.

Interesting. Never heard of Joma.
The Hamilton Khaki Field Hamilton Auto Chrono I have lusted for since posting it to you last night is listed as $1285, whereas retail is $1845.
The additional $560 for peace of mind seems decent but that is also a lot of money to non-watch enthusiasts like me. These for sure legit?

Legit. I’ve bought two from Joma. No issues, fast service. A Hamilton? I wouldn’t even think about it twice. It’s not like they have a lifetime warranty, right? If something happens Joma will fix it within their warranty period. They really have been great to deal with. Patek or high end Rolex , Id probably stick with an AD

VOID

I’ve purchased a few Tudors and a Rolex all preowned- I’ve only purchased the ones with a box and proper documentation.
I’ve never had an issue.