I would like to find a vintage Omega Seamaster Cosmic (the one with lines between 12 and 6 and 3 and 9) like this one on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Men...216958581?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item1c39180075Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network I have reviewed the threads that are at the top of the forum. Any advice on the price range for this model? Any advice on how to spot a redial for this model? Thoughts on buying from Eastern Block countries, India, Singapore? Thank you for the help! Topher
It is either a redial or they merely applied some glops of lume paste on the raised hour markers. I would steer clear. Maybe, never and never. India is renowned for its terrible, cheesy redials (often referred to cheekily as "Mumbai Specials"). Singapore is much the same. I have never purchased from eastern europe, but I have seen decent pieces pop up from time to time. There doesnt appear to be the same mass-redialing operation save the Ukraine, which is also known for slapping straps on pocket watches and selling them as vintage wristwatches.
Don't buy from India or Eastern Bloc provinces ever. Be careful with Singapore, but it's not a strict No Fly Zone. The lines are what we call 'crosshairs'. I want to know who painted the lume on the hour markers?
I only buy vintage watches from countries where people were rich enough to own more than one watch and have some spared in their drawers. Countries in the tropics are considered as bad places for vintage watches.
Thank you for the advice, I will continue to troll Ebay for an appropriate watch with Crosshairs. Is it reasonable to post links to potential watches and ask for advice? I don't want to take burn people out with n00b questions. Cheers, Topher
Welcome to OF. Be sure to check out the Sales forum for some great deal from trusted sellers. Questions are always good; it's bad when the questions are asked post purchase!
Any thoughts on this watch: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968s-Vinta...707222134?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item5af7f71676Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network It states that it is has a repainted dial done by a "master". Thoughts on the quality of the repaint?
OK, an another one while I am at it: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1958s-Vinta...335883565?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item3cd8d51f2dPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Thanks! Topher
Tritium, Thank you for the input. When looking at photographs of movements am I looking for parts that do not look corroded and are shiney? I don't think I have ever critically looked at the movement of a watch. Is it reasonable to expect that a watch that is 40+ years old will have no signs of age or is this something that can be avoided with regular servicing? Topher
Omega movements left the factory looking resplendent with the plates and bridges copper-plated, steel gears finished to a high standard with "snailing", and all visible screw heads polished to a mirror finish. If a watch has been properly cared for and serviced regularly, even a sixty-year old Omega movement can look as good today as when it was new. Look also to see that the screw head slots are clean and not "chewed" up by the misuse of ill-fitting screwdrivers. Here is my 28.10 SC movement from 1946 -
There are some factors to take in mind when buying a watch, and not only the dial: - Dial is always nicer with the original finish (not repainted), and a must for collectors. Black ones are more difficult to find, so that you will find most redials painted in black. - Movement should be uniform in color, and if possible as mint as the one showed by John, but this is not always possible, and sometimes they have some little scratches or imperfections on them, but the ones you showed, are not desirable at all. - Case shouldn´t be over polished, so that the edges and lines don´t differ too much from the original design of the case. - Price has to be accord to market price. If you follow all this points, you won´t only have a nice watch, but also a watch that can be resold for the same or similar price in the future, without loosing money.
This one isn't even a Seamaster, its a Geneve with what amounts to be a counterfeit Seamaster dial, this prick does this on a regular basis. Unscrupulous sellers do this to inflate the value of lesser watches taking advantage of uninformed eBay users.
Swift wheels of justice, nicely done. This is from a forum member, thoughts on the watch? http://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-f300-deluxe-dial-constellation-case.8759/ Thanks, again. Topher
Phil / hockey has some excellent condition watches and sells them at very fair prices. I'm not personally a fan of many battery powered watches but those hummers have a loyal following.
This looks particularly nice; I'm with Dennis in vintage battery watches haven't caught my fancy (yet...). Every piece I have seen Phil post has been Grade A!