Hi Steve
I have checked three years ago bidjan's website where he proposed one for $1800 but with a very ridiculous warranty of 3 months.In 2005 I rechecked the same item and saw its price at $3000!!! $3000 for a watch with only a three months warranty and I am not even sure it was correctly serviced. I also have seen one at Timeman unserviced and at $2500 with no warranty!!!! Those prices are irrealistic seriously especially when a watch is not serviced nor in perfect condition (not the smallest ding, scar and original dial and hands with original lume) and not warrantied. It is like restoring a car it will cost you more to restore and or repair a very average condition car than buying one in excellent condition, serviced and warrantied.
Now about Ebay,it is a buy at your own risk game,most of the items have very often patined dials,unserviced movements (sometimes wrong movements),no warranty,unoriginal bracelet and buckles and sometimes you can have the baddest surprise like a ruin to restore.
From an experience that happened to a friend who baught a datejust from a power seller and got burned.It taught me some good things that not all people who are calling themselves "professionals" are really professionnals. They are not all proposing a real customer service (refund policy I don't call that customer service), no warranty (very often the item is sold in as is condition)and they are not watchmakers but collectors. An amateur however good he might be will never be considered as a true profesional.
Those are my thaughts and everyone can agree or disagree with them. (to take with two grains of salt)
regards and have a nice day
georges
