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One of the things we should remember is that many online vintage watch sellers, auction or otherwise, are also novices. For some, they will sell only one watch in their lifetime. When I began collecting and buying from online sellers, I would sometimes overlook omissions in their listings. I'd be so taken with an offering that I'd forget to ask case size, for example. A couple of times, I was surprised when the delivery man brought a watch much smaller than I had envisioned.
The solution for me anyway, is a formal, written checklist. Examples of list items (in addition to case size) are; Service history, if any. Is the crown original? Do additional functions (day, date, etc.) operate as designed? and well, you get the idea. Your checklist helps fill in the blanks on an incomplete listing. Occasionally, you'll even find something has been conveniently, intentionally omitted because it's a problem. A checklist can be basic or detailed. How about this question; Do both hands set precisely on the markers? (I've found a few that didn't, drives me nuts). Or, Is your Grandfather's pocket watch lever set? Makes a difference if your expecting to set the time by simply pulling the crown. And so it goes.
Search a few reputable watchseller websites, and peruse the experienced TZ Sales Corner sellers for comprehensive, thorough listings. These will form a good basis for your own checklist.
Thanks, Bill.
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