Help with my pruchase...

[Bwadd]

First post, but I have been reading through this site for a couple years now...

Looking to purchase my first PAM, and have narrowed it down to one... the 177!

Love the look of the Titanium, and after seeing one in person on Valnetines day at a restaurant i was in with the wife, I think it might be time.

So I thought I would post my story here with a deal I'm working on and maybe you guys can help me answer some questions and figure out if this deal is going to work etc...

I have found a 177 on ebay with a BIN of $4400, which is a little below average resale price I believe. I am aware they are around $5800+ new.

Here is the link for the watch:


http://cgi.ebay.com/Panerai-Luminor-...item4aa85c0a69

Seller says it has a small scratch in the crystal at the 12 and a small piece of dust, I asked if it was noticeable for daily use, this was his reply to my email:

"No not at all, you have to be atleast a feet 8 inches away until you barely notice it."

I checked with our "1" Panerai AD in Toronto and the claim approx $700 to repair crystal and service. I would put an offer in for less to account for the possible repair later.

Since this is used, and if the scratch is not noticeable, it will be ok since it will be my daily watch. At least I will have the option to send it in for service in the future to have the watch repaired to like new...

My other concern is that i asked for better pictures which he says he will provide. I also asked for serial # to check authenticity, to which he replied he does not do that... yet his listing says her will provide the serial # and picture of certificate if requested... this is the red flag!

Thoughts, advice?