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1976 birth year Omega...what would you go for?

Dug
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Hoping to pass on to my son some of my enthusiasm for vintage Omegas, by means of a birth year watch, 1976. He has a Google watch!!
Thinking up to £2k and perhaps a larger size for that era.
A huge remit I know, but what would you go for?
This is my beloved 1952 CK 2503 (yes, I'm ancient.😁), never to be sold.
Thanks you, OF.
20241027_120300.webp
 
JwRosenthal
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I’m 1972 so not far off from your son.

From this catalog, I’ve circled the ones that I would find attractive and are within your price range.

IMG_2939.webp IMG_2938.webp


I avoided the F300 hummers as they are difficult to get serviced (need a specialist), and although the Speedmaster Pro and Flightmaster would be my first choices- ain’t gonna happen under £2k.

That said, the Seamaster chrono and Speedy MkV I’ve seen around your price range right here in the forum recently- so worth digging around or posting a WTB.
Getting at the actual manufacter date will be harder to pin down on any of these without a movement shot and cross referencing that serial #.

Best of luck on your hunt
 
vienna
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I would also include a Memomatic( red mark on the pic)for the feature of an „alarm“. I have two of them and both were cheaper than 2000 USD. They are big and heavy, but very cool watches.

kind regards Max
IMG_8157.webp
 
Dug
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
I’m 1972 so not far off from your son.

From this catalog, I’ve circled the ones that I would find attractive and are within your price range.

IMG_2939.webp IMG_2938.webp


I avoided the F300 hummers as they are difficult to get serviced (need a specialist), and although the Speedmaster Pro and Flightmaster would be my first choices- ain’t gonna happen under £2k.

That said, the Seamaster chrono and Speedy MkV I’ve seen around your price range right here in the forum recently- so worth digging around or posting a WTB.
Getting at the actual manufacter date will be harder to pin down on any of these without a movement shot and cross referencing that serial #.

Best of luck on your hunt
Think we have similar tastes....must admit that I was erring toward a Geneve as I'm one for uncomplicated dials and lightweight cases.
Would like to ask my son's preference but it's that age-old dilemma of spoiling the surprise.
Agree on the f300's and cost implications, have had problems with mine but having just had it serviced, thanks Keith, I'm hopeful for a good run now.
Many thanks for the input, very helpful, much appreciated.
 
JwRosenthal
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Dug Dug
Think we have similar tastes....must admit that I was erring toward a Geneve as I'm one for uncomplicated dials and lightweight cases.
Would like to ask my son's preference but it's that age-old dilemma of spoiling the surprise.
Agree on the f300's and cost implications, have had problems with mine but having just had it serviced, thanks Keith, I'm hopeful for a good run now.
Many thanks for the input, very helpful, much appreciated.
As you have someone who can work on hummers that opens up the field, but remember that the pool of parts and expertise on these is dwindling so if your son wants it serviced in 20 years….

You may best be served by printing the catalog pages and just letting him circle the ones he likes- (and numbering them 1-XX) then you go on the hunt. Most Omega collectors think everyone wants a Speedmaster, or who doesn’t like a pie-pan Connie. But watch taste is so personal and what you may think is a fabulous heirloom may just be a clunky old looking watch to him. He may love the hunk of burning love gold wrist-cuff Connie’s from this era- who knows?!
 
Dan S
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While the Geneve has a more classic look, for a birthyear watch, I like the idea of a watch that is distinctive of the era.
 
Dug
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
As you have someone who can work on hummers that opens up the field, but remember that the pool of parts and expertise on these is dwindling so if your son wants it serviced in 20 years….

You may best be served by printing the catalog pages and just letting him circle the ones he likes- (and numbering them 1-XX) then you go on the hunt. Most Omega collectors think everyone wants a Speedmaster, or who doesn’t like a pie-pan Connie. But watch taste is so personal and what you may think is a fabulous heirloom may just be a clunky old looking watch to him. He may love the hunk of burning love gold wrist-cuff Connie’s from this era- who knows?!
Think you're probably right on both points, a hummer could undoubtedly prove to be a liability down the line, and assuming someone will have very similar aesthetic taste is probably an assumption too far! We don't match in terms of clothes, cars, decoration, so why watches.
Remember buying my wife a piece of jewellery without asking first...didn't need to ask, just the look on her face.🙄
I'm waffling on here...decision made, ask him!!
 
JwRosenthal
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Dug Dug
Think you're probably right on both points, a hummer could undoubtedly prove to be a liability down the line, and assuming someone will have very similar aesthetic taste is probably an assumption too far! We don't match in terms of clothes, cars, decoration, so why watches.
Remember buying my wife a piece of jewellery without asking first...didn't need to ask, just the look on her face.🙄
I'm waffling on here...decision made, ask him!!

I think printing the catalog (it is bifold so you could try two-sided printing if you could line it all up properly and stapling it in the center just like the original) and presenting it to him to pick his choice could be fun. He could even help search for the right one if he wants to be part of the hunt. Could be a nice way of sharing your passion with him.
 
wagudc
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If this dates to 1976, I would be all over it:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/now-dutch-auction-omega-speedsonic-lobster-last-step-down.176256/ Cover Image
Thread 'Now Dutch Auction: Omega Speedsonic "Lobster", Last Step Down' ·
OK, I think it is best to make a "Dutch auction" for this offer. That means that the price is reduced in steps, here by 100 € once a week. You can wait and hope that nobody else grabs it for the...
WITHDRAWN
€ 2000
Bernhard J ·
 
Dug
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Dan S Dan S
Personally, I think a surprise would be better.
A dilemma....if I totally misread his taste he could hate it, but of course tell his dear old dad that he's thrilled.
 
Dug
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Dan S Dan S
While the Geneve has a more classic look, for a birthyear watch, I like the idea of a watch that is distinctive of the era.
Agree with you, me too, but which model would define the 1970s?
 
Dan S
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Any of the non-traditional cases give the 1970s vibe.
 
Pastorbottle
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I'd be all over catalog items 25, 28 and 29 .....Seamaster, Flightmaster and Speedmaster
 
JwRosenthal
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If I had to pick one from the catalog, that I would want to wear, that truly defined the 70’s it would be the Flightmaster. The massive case, polychrome dial, thousand pushers, rocket ship hand, racing dial track- so much going on you’ll go blind trying to read the time- it is what the 70’s were all about.
There are a couple for sale on the forum right now if I recall (different variants). Not sure what years they are. A bit more than you are wanting to spend, but it will be a statement.
 
Emeister
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To me, 1976 means Montreal Olympics. I was 7 living in England during the long hot Summer / drought. I remember camping on the 'shore' of Lake Bala, Wales and the tiny puddle of water left in the middle looking to be miles away.

Omega Albatross takes the gold! 🥇

20241028_125552.webp
Edited:
 
Dug
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A big thank you to everyone for the help, information, advice and opinions offered, very much appreciated.
Have decided to start with the year, for those I can definitely nail down to 1976, with a movement shot, and see what pops up before moving to a model. Onwards!
And of thank you to OF of course, for this brilliant forum.
 
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