Advice on possible purchase - Omega 18k Seamaster Aqua Terra w/Mother-of-Pearl Diamond Dial

lando · Aug 4, 2013

My wife spotted these two Aqua Terras.

I myself am more of a vintage guy, so if there is knowledge around, i am keen on learning here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

http://www.chrono24.ch/omega/seamaster-aquaterra-automatic-18k-gold-boxpaper-54-diamonds--id2467594.htm?dosearch=false&gender=1402&manufacturerIds=187&maxAgeInDays=0&movementTypes=1&picnum=0&resultview=list&searchexplain=false&sortorder=0&tab=details&urlSubpath=/omega/index.htm&watchCategories=301&watchTypes=U&SETLANG=en_CH&SETCURR=USD

To me it looks as if it is the same model (@ebay it is described as 38mm diameter, i doubt that).

The one on chrono24 seems to be in better condition, or is it?

Are the hairlines described on the ebay-one something to worry about?

What about originality? (yes i know, more photos would be welcome, at least from the one on chrono24)

What do you think about the prices?

Thank you very much and best regards, Andy

Archer · Aug 5, 2013

I'll only comment on the cracked dal - MOP is very fragile and often damaged by watchmakers that don't know what they are doing - usually happens when removing hands when servicing the watch. Even a non-diamond MOP dial is going to be expensive, and the last one I bought for a quartz Omega was nearly $400. With diamonds that is one expensive dial to replace. Personally I would pass on the one with the damaged dial.

Cheers, Al

lando · Aug 6, 2013

Thank you Al, we will definitely pass on the one with the hairlines on the dial.

It is Cal. 2520 movement. The infos I found are showing, that it is based on an ETA caliber. Pretty cheap one inside such an expensive watch, i think. Are there other opinions?

Thanks and best regards, Andy

Archer · Aug 6, 2013

Based on the ETA 2000-1. Small and potentially finicky movement. I don't see them often, but have serviced a few and if they are going to have issues it will be with the automatic winding/power reserve.

Omega does have several "upgrades" that can be done to improve things on this specific caliber.

Cheers, Al