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2024 cost to build ‘WatchCo’ SM300?

Donn Chambers
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josiahg52 josiahg52
There was a time when I thought the new Seamaster 300 was going to be my new Omega watch. I saw it in person in 2016 at a boutique and tried to like it, but just couldn't. It did not scratch the same itch as my old Seamaster 300 in the slightest. I'm in the minority, but ceramic bezel inserts and sapphire crystals do nothing for me. They don't make the watch any more desirable. Incidentally, I'm glad I waited for the green Seamaster.

The 2254.50 is a much better modern representation, in my opinion.
FWIW, the new edition with the lumed aluminum insert is a lot better than the old ceramic bezel - that was way too shiny for my tastes.
 
josiahg52
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
FWIW, the new edition with the lumed aluminum insert is a lot better than the old ceramic bezel - that was way too shiny for my tastes.
I liked the Trilogy model. There was another one that looked similar, but I don't remember the details.
 
NotJackson
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
IMG_2824.webp IMG_1129.webp

Hmmm
IMG_2826.webp IMG_2825.webp


Does it scratch the itch?
As it happens, have both a Watchco SM300 and a 996-era Porsche. So I might be the wrong guy to ask — but yes, they both scratch the itch.
 
carpetryd
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Been lurking for far too long. First post of contribution.

I have a partial 166.024 with service dial and hands.
It’s currently in the hands of an certified watchmaker, who quoted:

$800 service (incl: crystal, crown/tube, gaskets)
$280 bezel
$25 bezel bearings
4-6 weeks

I’ve been hunting for a date version for a couple of years and can’t wait to have this one in the collection.

OP - if you can find a built watchco for under 5k you’ll be on the right side of having to restore one.
 
Dash1
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Davidt Davidt
Funny you say that as I have strongly considered a 2254.
This is exactly what I was thinking would be a great option for you. The 2254 is an excellent watch. I don’t generally like any watches newer than about 1970, but I probably wear mine more than anything else. The 2254 has a heritage vibe to it while being unbelievably practical. It’s also a model that Omega actually made (as opposed to the watchco) and the cherry on the cake is that they’re still very affordable.
 
Knudsen1971
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Must agree. 2254 was my first Omega I bought for myself 15 yrs ago...I`ve bought 20+ another Omega watches in a meantime, but 2254 stays the most universal watch for me...
 
Davidt
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The 2254 is an option, but there’s something about it that’s always stopped me pulling the trigger.
I’d need to get a 2254 because I wanted one, not because it’s a slightly better value option than a 166.024 and I don’t think that’s the case for me at the minute.
Edited:
 
nkhandekar
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Davidt Davidt
The 2254 is an option, but there’s something about it that’s always stopped me pulling the trigger.
I’d need to get a 2254 because I wanted one, but because it’s a slightly better value option than a 166.024 and I don’t think that’s the case for me at the minute.
I am with you on that. They are in the "close" but "not quite" camp for me. I don't like the scalloped shape of the bezel edges, the metal/lume proportions of the hands, or the crown guard/crown shapes and proportions. Its just off enough for me to never get one.
 
sdre
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JimInOz JimInOz
Dang!
Just sold mine (a short while ago).


1663569-cd14f27a6fa61c67cd17d845d320b819.webp
Haven't been on OF for a while but I do drop by to read once in a while. Still enjoying my Watchco by Jim.

<3
 
pkaye6
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I would love to find a WatchCo SM300 for under $5k in nice condition. Most of what I see on eBay or Chrono are more expensive and not always very nice.
 
JwRosenthal
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pkaye6 pkaye6
I would love to find a WatchCo SM300 for under $5k in nice condition. Most of what I see on eBay or Chrono are more expensive and not always very nice.
Have they really gotten that expensive? Funny considering people shat on these for years since they “weren’t the real thing”.
I guess the only people who are laughing harder are the ones who bought their Tin-tin’s with a 5 gallon tub of Mayonnaise.
 
masteroftime
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Have they really gotten that expensive? Funny considering people shat on these for years since they “weren’t the real thing”.
I guess the only people who are laughing harder are the ones who bought their Tin-tin’s with a 5 gallon tub of Mayonnaise.

I only found one true “watchco” build on eBay and it’s listed for $9k obo. There are three on Chrono24 and the cheapest is $6,250. They seem to rarely come up for sale these days. When they do, people seem to pay around $5k.
 
JwRosenthal
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masteroftime masteroftime
I only found one true “watchco” build on eBay and it’s listed for $9k obo. There are three on Chrono24 and the cheapest is $6,250. They seem to rarely come up for sale these days. When they do, people seem to pay around $5k.
How did they show provenance of it being made by Watchco AU? The member from whom I bought my watchco, bought it from them at the end of the run and only got an email confirmation of the order (which he forwarded to me). The watch didn’t come with anything and arrived in a plain cardboard box as far as I recall.

Not that it really matters in the grand scheme of things considering it’s been well documented that Watchco was just assembling factory parts around an old movement and not always servicing them, so anyone with access to the factory parts could build the exact thing.
 
Davidt
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I don’t think being a fully made made/sold by WatchCo adds any value whatsoever. In fact I’d prefer to have one made by a watchmaker I’m familiar with.
Value wise I’d say they’re around $4000-4500.
 
C
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Davidt Davidt
I don’t think being a fully made made/sold by WatchCo adds any value whatsoever. In fact I’d prefer to have one made by a watchmaker I’m familiar with.
Value wise I’d say they’re around $4000-4500.
Correct that being assembled by WatchCo does not add any value. A proper service by a certified Omega watchmaker would be of more value in my opinion. Have to disagree on those values....Haven't seen any sell for that # in years. I'd snap up all the excellent condition ones I could at 4,000-4,500.
 
JwRosenthal
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I think the whole “watchco” name has become just like “Kleenex” in terms of a generic name for this type of watch. But it has also become part of the lore- hence people using a”real” Watchco built SM300 as a selling point.
I know they built others including the SM120 baby Ploprof which was equally awesome but doesn’t seem to garner the same enthusiasm.
 
pkaye6
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Davidt Davidt
I don’t think being a fully made made/sold by WatchCo adds any value whatsoever. In fact I’d prefer to have one made by a watchmaker I’m familiar with.
Value wise I’d say they’re around $4000-4500.
At that price I'd take 2! 🤪
 
Gael.Bx
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I understand the approach, finding the parts today is starting to be really complicated, I think that at Omega a restoration should cost close to 3k if we start a wreck, it's true that in the end after having had several modern semaster 300, from the gmt to the latest ceramic in 2500, including the 2230.50, the watchco is the only one that has remained in the collection, it has a vintage scent as pleasant as knowing that any part can be changed in the event of an impact....

IMG_20240705_175400.webp
 
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