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Advice on '62 Seamaster De Ville

M. Bozorg
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Hi
i've been looking for a vintage Seamaster for my brother, and decided to pass on an earlier one I found thanks to a lot of really helpful advice here from members like @Dan S, @Spruce @philips and even @SkunkPrince who does not share my affection for these specific models but was kind enough to help out nonetheless 😀

I've included photos of the one I'm now considering. It passes my basic validations by looking up the serial number and confirming the 552 movement is correct for the time ('58 onwards) and reference 14905 SC-62. I also found this strong example from an old sale on the forums here and it seems to line up as far as I can tell.

I'm hoping that you can help me in general and share if any potential red flags pop (e.g. frankened/redial, any incorrect parts, movement issues, poor condition, etc.).

Also a more minor but specific question: I'm wondering if there are any concerns with the fact that the seller says the case was ultrasonically cleaned. I've heard of bracelets being cleaned this way, but I'm not sure if treating the case this way could cause any damage (including physical damage but also damage to its collectibility, the same way a heavy polish would impair a watch's collectibility).

And in case anybody is sharing my aversion to the blue-ish strap - i would probably plan to replace that!

Thank you

-M. Bozorg
j watch 1.jpeg j watch 4.jpeg j watch 6.jpeg j watch2.jpeg j watch 7.jpeg j watch 3.jpeg j watch 8.jpeg
 
Nupero
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Dial looks good to me and ultrasonic cleaning is not an issue.
 
mrbreen
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The dial is 100% legit and looks great. Hands look good and pleasantly aged lume. Everything else checks out to my eye as well. I will say that this watch looks a bit gussied up for sale (filtered pictures, and light polish on the case). But yeah, not too shabby!
 
Dan S
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Looks pretty good overall. As noted, it looks like a dealer watch with a light case polish. It's very hard to tell in those photos, but it's possible that the hands may be newer or re-lumed. It would be nice to see some unprocessed photos of the dial and hands straight-on in natural lighting to get a better sense of how the lume looks on the hands and dial.
 
mrbreen
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Dan S Dan S
but it's possible that the hands may be newer or re-lumed. It would be nice to see some unprocessed photos of the dial and hands straight-on in natural lighting to get a better sense of how the lume looks on the hands and dial.
Agreed. Hands might be re-lumed.
 
Noddyman
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My first thought where same as above; photos are trying to hide imperfections. The dial is missing some lume plots if that’s of concern.
 
SkunkPrince
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Noddyman Noddyman
My first thought where same as above; photos are trying to hide imperfections. The dial is missing some lume plots if that’s of concern.
I don’t think so. They just didn’t lume 3, 6, 9, and 12.
 
Noddyman
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
I don’t think so. They just didn’t lume 3, 6, 9, and 12.
I wasn’t referring to 3,6,9 & 12, more markers 7 & 8. It’s hard to say without better pics.
 
SkunkPrince
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Noddyman Noddyman
I wasn’t referring to 3,6,9 & 12, more markers 7 & 8. It’s hard to say without better pics.
I can see them. Click the picture and it will get bigger.
 
LesXL
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Nice and elegant watch... quite versatile in my opinion. I concur with what has been written above. A nice frontal picture without glares will be great to gain more confident that the watch looks legit. Ideally natural light.

Not sure if pictures angles are purposely done to hide something rather to maybe highlight the sunburst dial, and focusing on the hands and Omega logo.
 
Spruce
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Hi M Bozorg,
As you’ve appreciated, we can get a bit picky on OF so just remember, it’s a wearer not an investment. It’s a lovely looking piece and I’m sure you’ll enjoy wearing it.
 
mrbreen
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Spruce Spruce
Hi M Bozorg,
As you’ve appreciated, we can get a bit picky on OF so just remember, it’s a wearer not an investment. It’s a lovely looking piece and I’m sure you’ll enjoy wearing it.
This pretty much sums it all up
 
philips
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It looks nice. As pointed out by Dan S, the case has been polished. The original Omega factory finish on the case cannot be duplicated by buffing the watch. Personally, I prefer original unpolished cases with scratches, as the original finish is only there once, as they say. It's a shame dealers feel the need to polish a watch, it would be better to educate their customers that the original case finish is preferred.
 
Servius
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Well, it does make me want one, so I guess that I like it.

As said before, other pics might help assess more precisely the condition. And is it me, or we haven’t talked about price yet?
 
M. Bozorg
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Wow, thanks for all the very helpful comments. I asked the seller about the hands and requested unprocessed pictures, including the dial/hands straight on.

I heard back that the hands have been re-lumed. The seller also declined to send additional photos, which I find a bit disconcerting, especially given what members have pointed out about how the photos might have been presented in a way so as to hide defects.

The “pickiness” that @Spruce mentioned is much appreciated! In fact, I’m counting on that precision! I know that my brother is also picky and wants a watch that’s highly authentic / preserved / respectable from a watch-lover’s standpoint, so even though it’s not an investment per se, things like the re-lumed hands (and potentially even the polish, albeit a light one) would impair his enjoyment of the watch.

I hope to be able to call on your guidance again with a better example. It seems like we’re getting closer each time! Thanks again,

M. Bozorg
 
mrbreen
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I would certainly consider this watch authentic and respectable, but I understand your pickiness. That’s the criterion many of us here hold these too as well.

I’m curious as to what your price range is? At the right price (and it is a non-negligible premium), there are certainly reputable dealers that will have what you’re looking for. Many of us here prefer to hunt down good deals, but perhaps that’s not a factor for you?
 
SkunkPrince
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You will, of course, make your own decision but I for one see the dial lume as factory-applied. I wouldn't reject the watch because of it.
 
M. Bozorg
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mrbreen mrbreen
I would certainly consider this watch authentic and respectable, but I understand your pickiness. That’s the criterion many of us here hold these too as well.

I’m curious as to what your price range is? At the right price (and it is a non-negligible premium), there are certainly reputable dealers that will have what you’re looking for. Many of us here prefer to hunt down good deals, but perhaps that’s not a factor for you?

thanks @mrbreen This learning process has made me cut out the speculation and element of surprise and ask my brother directly… so he’ll get want he wants. Maybe I’ll find another gift. 😀 Anyhow you’re spot on - he is willing to pay that premium / whatever is reasonable for a particularly good example. But we’re still trying to get a handle on what that range is - I’m trying to reconcile the advice from my last post that 1500-2000 usd for a gold one was too high, and the price of the strong example i linked in the OP was 950$ from back in 2014… so I’m guessing it will be somewhere between the two data points. But if you have guidance on what to expect, or leads to some specific reputable dealers in US / Canada we would be very grateful! Thanks again to you and all
M. Bozorg
 
Dan S
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The confusion about pricing may be due to the differential between what collectors might consider to be fair market value (e.g. an auction price or a price between collectors in a private sale) vs. an asking price from a professional dealer. There could easily be a factor of 2 difference. Many forum members will typically not want to pay more than the former, and so they are willing to spend months hunting through thousands of listings. As @mrbreen mentioned, it might be worth it for you to pay twice as much, since it will probably facilitate the process. Since it is a gift, there is really no concern about re-sale value.
 
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