Hello Omega fans. Posting my first post here to ask if anyone can tell me anything about this watch I found at a vintage seller in Istanbul. Unfortunately I only have one photo now but will take more on Monday when he reopens. For context, the guy seemed to know his stuff and had a nice array of old watches in various conditions. Here’s the one I am quite interested in. As you can see, it’s gold plated steel, with significant wear on the lugs. I really like the sunburst dial and painted numerals, but am not sure if it looks too pristine to be original. Annoyingly I didn’t photograph the movement but it looked in good condition. If anyone can give me any information at all on this model I’d be very grateful, as I can’t find anything! I got the guy down to 500 USD, which seems a pretty reasonable price, but possibly not if the dial is refinished. This would be my first vintage buy so any other pointers for what to look out for also would be great. I will of course be scanning the forums here today as well for advice. Thank you!

 

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You're going to waste $500 if you buy it.

 

Hint: Can you see any Tritium lume on the dial?

 

Ha, thanks Jim - what makes you say that? There’s definitely no lume.

 

Guess: the damage to the seconds hand looks like tritium damage, but there’s no lume?

 

The T’s (Tritium lume) beside the Swiss Made say there should be

 

Oh damn - should have figured that! Thanks. So a completely unoriginal or repainted dial by someone who doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing - would that be the assessment?

 

Astute observation.

 

From your one picture, all we can tell you is that the dial has been repainted. Watch collectors stop right there and go no further.

 

Another ‘Grand Bazaar’ special ?

Fascinating place…& Wonderful warm people

However in this case…don’t walk…Run !

 

looks like someone lugged pocket watch

 

The case is very rough as well, and it's probably not steel underneath the gold. Without seeing more, we can't say whether it's even truly an Omega. Even if there are some original Omega parts there, it's pretty junky.

If you are looking to buy a souvenir for fun, and the watch is running, that fine ... but don't pay more than $50.

 

Avoid.

 

Of course he knows his stuff and he’s counting on $500 that you don’t. Good that you checked BEFORE you purchased.

 

smorgasbord in the background.

 

Thanks all. The Grand Bazaar is a fun place to look around, but for a newbie probably too risky.

 

Trust me…the little old Man…bent double, over a tray of miscellaneous intriguing watches…looking like he has not had a good meal, for weeks……is as sharp as a razor !

I absolutely love the Turkish people…their sense of sheer fun, & hospitality is overwhelming

But it’s only place I have visited, where I was offered an ounce of dope, AND a carpet… within 50 metres of Airport exit

 

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