A close shave or a missed opportunity?

Hi everyone.

Whilst on a weekend away I always like to have a look in the local pawnbrokers to see if they have anything interesting…..and on this occasion the shop I happened to come across had a Seamaster Soccer 145.020. It looked in very nice condition(sorry no pics taken, you’ll have to trust me). Interested in finding out the price I was quoted €4000.

Not used to dropping €4000 on a watch I decided it was a bit over what I’d be willing to pay but not unreasonable(?) for this particular watch in nice condition. Without taking it further I left the shop.

A bit later in the day my intrigue got the better of me and I thought he might take an offer. I went back and asked to have another look. Nice and sharp case, very nice original dial in great condition, original correct bracelet and links. Without saying anything the guy offered me the watch for €3500(starting to sound better). I was also told it had been in for a service at Omega two years ago. When asked if he could produce the documentation the reply was “unfortunately not” but he offered a 12 month warranty.

I started up the 861 movement and with a few turns of the crown the second hand sparked to life.
I tried the chronograph with the top pusher and the chronograph hand started working. I pressed the pusher again and the chronograph hand immediately jumped back to zero. The lower reset pusher did nothing and felt totally dead(no wonder if the chronograph had reset).

On pointing out that the chronograph wasn’t working the seller started telling me that this version had different functions and wasn’t like a normal chronograph. He then knocked a further €500 Euro of the price to €3000.

By this point the lack of service papers, a non functioning chronograph, the inability to take off the back and the “lie” I was getting told by the seller really put me off and I just walked away.

Now at the airport I’m thinking maybe the guy just didn’t know what he was talking about and with a service the chronograph issue could easily have been fixed.

Apologies again for no photos but aesthetically it was in very nice condition.

Did I miss the opportunity for a nice watch at a reasonable price or was I right to walk away?

Seems like a risk/reward situation with no right answer. I would have assumed the risk at 2500, but of course OMMV.

Hi @zedlebowski

That was exactly my thinking in the €2500 range.
Thanks for your response.

Hi Donn

Yeh, I did check that the minute counter moved forward. I was also thinking it acts very similar to a chronostop. I tried it several times with the same result.
From a quick search today I came across what I consider was a similar problem that was put down to a faulty “stem bolt for hammer”(?) part. I only found out about this after the shop had closed.

Hi and thanks for the reply,
I do really like the late 60’s/early 70’s chronographs, so yeh, it would be very nice, but didn’t really consider an opportunity would present itself.

I would assume the bottom button stopped the chrono. Top - start and reset? Bottom stop.

Can't recall. I only had 861 models

Hi Don

It is a 861 movement in these watches. The top button is the start/stop function and the bottom is the reset.

Interesting question…
Where was it? Maybe an other forum member lives nearby and can go take a look if you cannot go back anyway? 😀

Hi
As it happens I might be going back in a months time, so the opportunity could still be there.

Yep, I can appreciate it’s not to everyone’s liking.

Appreciate the comment, of the dial, case and bracelet everything looked good to me, but yeh, I should have grabbed some pictures of it.