Thoughts on possible "go-to" watchmaker

[Babayega]

I recently entered the arena of collecting watches and thought it wise to have a trusted watchmaker I could rely on for service. After shopping around, I settled on a highly-reviewed watchmaker to bring my vintage Tudor Date-Day in for service as I had just pulled out the crown and stem when attempting to adjust the time. The quoted price was reasonable and I proceeded to contract his services.

While I was there, I asked him to give a recently purchased 80s Submariner a look over to see if I had missed anything after a few months of research. Without opening the watch, he informed me it would likely need a service soon--the details escape me at this time, but he mentioned hearing something that signaled as much. The conversation naturally progressed to how much I paid, and I gave him a ballpark figure.

He mentioned that as a dealer, he could have gotten me a much better price and called today to say he found the same 80s Submariner worn once/nearly mint in box for $3000. The online market for the watch seems to be at least double, almost 2.5x that price.

I recognize that since I'm pretty green, I could be falling for all the tricks of this natural salesman. Did I find a gem of a watchmaker and a hell-of-a-deal for an 80s sub? Is the vintage market for Submariners so inflated that it's actually worthwhile to have a local dealer/watchmaker and pay what seems to be near wholesale pricing? Or does it seem too good to be true?

[southtexas]

What model and what year in the 80's? But yes, $3000 would be a very good deal regardless of those answers, if it is truly as described.

Maybe you found a great source.


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[Babayega]

Originally Posted by southtexas

What model and what year in the 80's? But yes, $3000 would be a very good deal regardless of those answers, if it is truly as described.

Maybe you found a great source.


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It's an 83 16800. That's my worry here, that it may not be as descibed. It may also be too good to pass up, which is justified by his stellar reviews. He seemed genuinely surprised when I told him what I paid for and what the online market is set at. I'm truly tempted to buy what he has but I wanted to reach out to the community at large that has more experience. You all have been a great resource and many so eager to help.

[Toronto Soup King]

Values for some stuff has gone through the roof recently. I was offered a shocking amount for an old water-damaged 1016 dial I thought useless - if your seller hasn't been selling much over the last couple of years his prices will be half normal