About the Omega Genève collection

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GuillerA

·Jun 4, 2022

Hey everyone ! I was wondering about the "Omega Genève" collection, trying to figure out if it belongs to a particular collection (like the classical Seamaster, Speedmaster and Deville) or if it's just a range of watches that doesn't belong to any particular collection. I don't suppose they belong to any particular collection, given the variety of dials, cases, needles, etc. found in the "Genève".

I found this one that I find quite beautiful but I'm struggling to find out if the dial and the needles are original (the arabic numerals seem quite exceptional in this model). What do guys think ?

Thanks a lot !!

 

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Dan S

·Jun 4, 2022

Let's see some photos. Some Geneve references overlap with the Seamaster collection, but others do not.

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 4, 2022

Here some photos

 

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Dan S

·Jun 4, 2022

Here is the OVD page on your reference. Yours is a gold-plated/filled version obviously.
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-geneve-omega-st-166-0041

 

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Dan S

·Jun 4, 2022

It's not part of one of the collections you mentioned, more or less an entry-level Omega from that period. The movement shows significant wear on the rotor from rubbing on the case-back, so it is likely to need some replacements parts when it is serviced.

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 4, 2022

Ok, thank you very much ! I thought the movement was on good shape, thanks a lot for drawing attention to it !

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 6, 2022

@Dan S sorry for bothering you again but, considering what you said about the mechanism, would you say that 400 euros is a reasonable price for this watch ? Thank you very much !!

 

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MtV

·Jun 6, 2022

GuillerA

@Dan S sorry for bothering you again but, considering what you said about the mechanism, would you say that 400 euros is a reasonable price for this watch ? Thank you very much !!

It’s probably ok-ish. Do factor in that a service is probably due, which’ll likely set you back another couple hundred Euros.

It also depends on the condition. Hard to judge the case from those pictures. It’s a gold-plated/-capped watch, so if it’s polished a bit too heavily, the thin layer of gold can suffer and show the base metal that’s underneath. This is neither attractive nor repairable (realistically). It usually occurs at the top of the lugs and it looks like this might be the case here:

See the discoloration on the tip of the lug? Ask for more pictures of all 4 lugs to be sure.

Otherwise, this configuration is completely legit, albeit slightly uncommon and probably not to everybody’s taste. Here’s another, similar example I used to own:

 

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kaplan

·Jun 6, 2022

Breguet numerals are rare and I don't agree with your perception of "Omega Collections" - they are all very chaotic, this is a good purchase if you ever decide to collect different variations with the same case, you can easily collect 100 of them, very few models have such a variance

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 7, 2022

kaplan

Breguet numerals are rare and I don't agree with your perception of "Omega Collections" - they are all very chaotic, this is a good purchase if you ever decide to collect different variations with the same case, you can easily collect 100 of them, very few models have such a variance

Thank you for your answer ! So you would say it's a good price because the model is rare ? Isn't it too risky considering the state of the mechanism ? The seller tells me it works perfectly (10s + / day) but you never know without a maintenance history.

 

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Davidt

·Jun 7, 2022

Rare doesn’t always equal valuable and this isn’t a particularly desirable reference.

To pay €400 I’d need to really like this particular ref and dial and be buying it on merit and because I liked it. If you simply want a nice vintage Omega you can get more watch for your money IMO

 

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MtV

·Jun 7, 2022

GuillerA

Thank you for your answer ! So you would say it's a good price because the model is rare ? Isn't it too risky considering the state of the mechanism ? The seller tells me it works perfectly (10s + / day) but you never know without a maintenance history.

You won't find a maintenance history on any 400€-Omega. In fact, from the couple of watches I've bought in my time, I've never come across an extensive history on any example. A recent service bill was the maximum. These movements are usually pretty sturdy and parts are still kinda accessible, so if something goes wrong it can usually be fixed.

I do agree with @Davidt though. Don't buy it because it's cheap, buy something you really like. And do not pull the trigger on this example before having further pictures that show the condition of the gold-plating.

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 7, 2022

Thank you very much for enlightening me !

I actually really like this model, I find the breguet numerals quite elegant and the golden dial looks attractive and rare. I asked for pics of the lugs and they are well, there's no significant sign of discoloration or degradation of the plate.

For the same price I could have this other model from the same collection. It has the particularity of combining a Seamaster caseback with a Geneve dial, I don't know if that makes it rarer and more valuable... I guess it doesn't.

 

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kaplan

·Jun 7, 2022

The second watch could be a better investment and handwinds are more fun, but I also quite like the Breguet one and if I was collecting that model, I would just pay the 400 euros

It all depends on your intentions, if you intend on collecting more examples the first one is a good start

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 7, 2022

Thank you for your answer !

I don't intend on collecting any model in particular for the moment. I'm a neophyte that is trying to navigate in the usually hazardous waters of vintage watches collecting. I'm basically looking for a nice watch at a good price and the golden one really appeals to me. The second one is more classical - is it that why you say it's a better investment ? Would it be easier to sell that the first one, which is more "special" and, therefore, may have less people interested ?

Thanks a lot for helping me !!

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 7, 2022

Just another detail : the crown in the second one is not the original one, that may lower its value, right ?

 

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Davidt

·Jun 7, 2022

Neither of these are likely to be a great investment. Concentrate on buying what you like at a good price.

The second example is certainly not rare, in fact it’s rather common. However, it is a more classic style. Personally I’d rather wear that one and if you had to sell I think that would sell easier due to its wider appeal.

Bear in mind there’s no shortage of vintage Omegas. If you’re new to this, perhaps focus on reading and narrowing down your taste with a view to buying in a few months when you have a clearer view of what’s out there and what you like?

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 7, 2022

Thank you very much ! It is true that the "Fear of missing out" can strike the newcomer and it's important to keep in mind what you just said : there’s no shortage of vintage Omegas. It's easy to buy, very difficult to sell. Even if the decision that pushes to buy is not to invest, it seems important to take that into consideration.

 

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kaplan

·Jun 7, 2022

565 movement itself is like $200 in value, auction the Breguet one on eBay and it should fetch the asking price (the fees are extreme, but still …)

 

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GuillerA

·Jun 7, 2022

kaplan

565 movement itself is like $200 in value, auction the Breguet one on eBay and it should fetch the asking price (the fees are extreme, but still …)

What asking price ? 400e ?