Thanks for your advice Chuck, I've just agreed... ... to meet the seller in NYC next week. Working for an airline has it advantages!

I need one of those jobs or a BBJ on call for my express personal use.

I'll be able to see and hold the watch before I pay the (very fair) price. Anything in particular I should look for?

Take a loop (or better yet, a Visor style magnifier, and a case back tool so you can look over the movement. Study the examples already pictured on OTD so that you can compare and contrast. Print out examples if you think it would be helpful. Make sure the chronograph increments properly and at the proper position on the dial. Make sure that the start, stop, restart, stop and reset are all as would be expected.

In reaction to my remark that the date hand didn't look good he send me another picture in which you can see that it is indeed not perfect, but not as bad as it looked on the other one. You can also get a better look at the dial.

This is a much more flattering picture than the last set. The one example might actually be pretty decent.

Best of fortune to you!

-- Chuck