Buying a wristwatch is a very personal experience.  Many people buy watches on impulse and never give any thought to the quality of what they are buying.  I love dial work and complications while others buy name brands with no regard to the quality of the watch they are buying.

There are some easy steps to make this process painless and enjoyable.  Ebay is a great way to buy timepieces but there are some pitfalls.  Follow these rules and you'll get the best watch for the best money spent.

1.  Know your seller- Make sure you check the feedback left for the seller by previous customers.  Check their rating and make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer.

2.  Stay within your means- Don't buy products because you like them, make sure you can afford them.  Collectors always stay within their means so they can buy more watches and increase their collection. 

3.  Know your movements-  Watches come basically in three types.  Mechanical(have to wind), Automatic(self winding), and quartz(battery).  Not all movements are created equally so know what you buying.  Swiss movements are generally good but like anything else there are dogs.  The movements from the orient are getting better and better by the day so don't shy away from them.  Just because the seller tells you that it's a swiss movement doesn't mean it's made in Switzerland.  If you want a Swiss made watch it's always marked on the bottom of the dial- Swiss Made.

4.  Cases- Stainless cases are generally the best and the sturdiest.  Again not all cases are made equally.  Some well known brands that I won't mention use very cheap cases to hold the price down.  Make sure the case is 316L stainless steel and not a composite.

5.  Ask Questions- Probably the most important aspect of buying on Ebay.  If a seller is reputable he will answer your question rapidly and honestly.  Don't buy anything you're not 100%  satisfied with, only trouble will follow.

Collectors generally make the best sellers because they treasure their watches and take care of them.  Sometimes a watch from a collector is a better deal than a watch from a reseller.  We know what we are selling and can answer any concerns you may have.

I hope this has been instructive for you and good bidding.