Community Stories

$5 Yard Sale - Omega Seamaster Deville

M
Posts
11
Likes
13
Hello,

I have a watch that I bought at a yard sale here in Charleston, SC (South Carolina, USA) for $5 about 6 or 7 years ago, not knowing much about the brand other than that it was of from Omega, one of the more recognized time piece brands that I'd heard of, I sprung the $5 for it.

I've worn it a few times, but I'm not really a watch guy, the movement is a little slow and seems to fall behind after a few hours from being manually set to the correct time.

Always wondered about the vintage, if it was authentic, year of production, s/n, etc. All the details you'd want to know to see if the $5 splurge was worth it, which brings me here to the Vintage Omega Thread in hopes some of you experts out there could help me out.

Backplate doesn't appear to have any markings, I've never tried to open it to see if there was a s/n inside for fear of ruining it.

Any information that could be provided would be helpful, so thanks in advance.

See attached photos (6) for reference.
 
20230526_100841.jpg 20230526_100835.jpg 20230526_100827.jpg 20230526_102616.jpg 20230526_102601.jpg 20230526_102526.jpg
140dave
Posts
1,965
Likes
9,411
Want to double your money? I’ll give ya $10 for it…

Need to open it up to get the info but nothing obviously wrong with it. Looks like a helluva $5 watch to me.
 
Thommas
Posts
427
Likes
913
That's $5 very well spent. The strap buckle on its own is worth 10x that.

You should get it serviced and wear it a bit more often. It's a fine watch!
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,983
Nice watch. Dates between ‘63-‘68, serial # on the movement could narrow it down to specific year- but not really important- you know the time period.
Watch is a front loader which means that you need to pop the bezel (which is fragile) pull the 2-part crown apart (which feels like you are going the break it) and remove the crystal to pull the movement out from the front- not for someone who doesn’t have the right tools and knowledge.
Running slow means it needs a service which is typical for any mechanical watch that hasn’t been cleaned and oiled in over a decade. Any experienced watchmaker can work on these, parts are proprietary to Omega and require a watchmaker to have a parts account (which means they are omega certified), but Omega does still support these which is a testament to their commitment to their heritage pieces. Even without a parts account, most watchmakers have their resources if wearable parts are needed so if you find a good one locally, they can give you an estimate for the work.
Plan $250-400 for a service, that’s about the going rate for a 3-hander. Price obviously depends on the watchmakers overhead (storefront vs home shop) etc. you are paying for their time and expertise (like a skilled mechanic) and these aren’t a 5 minute job with a multi-tool, so you need to evaluate if it’s worth the investment. For what you paid for the watch- you would still come out ahead vs buying one with unknown service history.
 
M
Posts
11
Likes
13
140dave 140dave
Want to double your money? I’ll give ya $10 for it…

Need to open it up to get the info but nothing obviously wrong with it. Looks like a helluva $5 watch to me.
If it's authentic and I can recall the yard sale, I would probably consider returning it honestly, I doubt it was sold intentionally and maybe sentimental to someone.

How much does it cost to open the case and see S/N and movement information?
 
M
Posts
11
Likes
13
RevZMan123 RevZMan123
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

Why can't I ever find these barn gems? OMG.
Yeah,
RevZMan123 RevZMan123
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

Why can't I ever find these barn gems? OMG.
Yeah, I actually passed by it at first and only bought it as I was leaving. Never done any research on it until now.
 
M
Posts
11
Likes
13
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Nice watch. Dates between ‘63-‘68, serial # on the movement could narrow it down to specific year- but not really important- you know the time period.
Watch is a front loader which means that you need to pop the bezel (which is fragile) pull the 2-part crown apart (which feels like you are going the break it) and remove the crystal to pull the movement out from the front- not for someone who doesn’t have the right tools and knowledge.
Running slow means it needs a service which is typical for any mechanical watch that hasn’t been cleaned and oiled in over a decade. Any experienced watchmaker can work on these, parts are proprietary to Omega and require a watchmaker to have a parts account (which means they are omega certified), but Omega does still support these which is a testament to their commitment to their heritage pieces. Even without a parts account, most watchmakers have their resources if wearable parts are needed so if you find a good one locally, they can give you an estimate for the work.
Plan $250-400 for a service, that’s about the going rate for a 3-hander. Price obviously depends on the watchmakers overhead (storefront vs home shop) etc. you are paying for their time and expertise (like a skilled mechanic) and these aren’t a 5 minute job with a multi-tool, so you need to evaluate if it’s worth the investment. For what you paid for the watch- you would still come out ahead vs buying one with unknown service history.
Thanks for the detailed response, I really appreciate it.

I'll look into Omega certified service as I have so little in it.
 
Walrus
Posts
10,654
Likes
51,897
M Mate0o1
If it's authentic and I can recall the yard sale, I would probably consider returning it honestly, I doubt it was sold intentionally and maybe sentimental to someone.

How much does it cost to open the case and see S/N and movement information?
I wouldn’t stress it. It is a great find for five bucks but it’s not like you found a rare watch that will change someone’s life. These are common but still very cool and they are “often” found in junk bind etc. enjoy your new find guilt free. If the guilt is overwhelming i shall take the burden off your hands.
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,983
M Mate0o1
Thanks for the detailed response, I really appreciate it.

I'll look into Omega certified service as I have so little in it.
Let us know where you are in the world and someone may be able to recommend someone local. Of course shipping it to a watchmaker is also pretty easy these days
 
lucian23
Posts
311
Likes
185
I am not a believer 😀. I do not belive that you bought this watch for 5 USD. Nobody sell an Omega for this amount even in worst possible condition. From your pictures it's possible the watch to be solid gold so one more reason do not belive that story.. Enjoy your watch 😀
 
Davidt
Posts
12,959
Likes
22,460
Absolutely, cheery on top is that’s it’s a solid gold model. If you’re able to get the strap off (only try it if you’re confident of not scratching it) it will likely say 14k between the lugs.

Ridiculously good score.
 
sheepdoll
Posts
2,700
Likes
4,317
Every now an then someone finds something good.

Keeps the rest of us looking for the next one.

... and there will always be a next one.
 
Bruce235
Posts
891
Likes
1,633
M Mate0o1
Thanks for the detailed response, I really appreciate it.

I'll look into Omega certified service as I have so little in it.
No need to send to Omega for service, just a watchmaker. Omega will charge $1000 and take 8 months.
 
Dan S
Posts
23,472
Likes
52,176
It's in nice condition and a great buy for $5. I'm guessing it's gold-filled, but if it is actually a solid gold case, you got something special. I'd find out before deciding what to do with it. If you look carefully around the edge of the back, you will probably see some marking.
 
Davidt
Posts
12,959
Likes
22,460
Dan S Dan S
It's in nice condition and a great buy for $5. I'm guessing it's gold-filled, but if it is actually a solid gold case, you got something special. I'd find out before deciding what to do with it. If you look carefully around the edge of the back, you will probably see some marking.

Actually, you might be right as the case profile on most of the solid gold gold cases is slightly different.
There should be a stamp between the lugs to confirm and it’s a great score regardless.
 
M
Posts
11
Likes
13
JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Let us know where you are in the world and someone may be able to recommend someone local. Of course shipping it to a watchmaker is also pretty easy these days
As post states, I am in Charleston, SC, USA
 
12 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Y

Yard sale find

Yardsalewatches Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Syrte
Syrte
Posts
38
Views
4K
accidentes

Authenticity check - omega seamaster deville

accidentes Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
SOG53
SOG53
Posts
20
Views
1K
MPCwatches

Tropical Dial Omega Seamaster DeVille 165.020

MPCwatches Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
5
Views
844
Clelow

Omega Seamaster DeVille Linen Dial 14K w/ Box Papers

Clelow Private Watch Sales
Clelow
Clelow
Posts
2
Views
1K
dougwhiz

Omega Seamaster DeVille Automatic Quadrant Crosshair Dial

dougwhiz Private Watch Sales
dougwhiz
dougwhiz
Posts
0
Views
628
O

Regarding hour marker alignment on vintage Omega Seamaster Deville

ovidijusk91 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
hoipolloi
hoipolloi
Posts
16
Views
4K