Could you advise me on the integrety of following watch on ebay please. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fantastic...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item19d21f2070Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network The serial numbers on the case are quoted as "patent 315.164, 2846 2848, 6 and a C" but I can't find any reference to these on the Omege Vintage Watch Database. Thanks
The reference number is listed in the sale ad: 2846 Seamaster Gents' leather strap Reference KO 2846 International collection 1956 Movement Type: Automatic (mechanical) Caliber number: 500 / 501 Cal. 500 Created in 1955, 17 jewels Cal. 501 Created in 1955, 19 jewels Both with central sweep-second hand Case Gold-cap on stainless steel Case back Press-in Dial Luminous (radium), with hand-rivetted gold hour markers and gold "Dauphine" hands. Crystal Armoured hesalite Bracelet Leather
The serial number is 16673937 which means it was made in 1958, late in the run for the caliber 501. The watch looks pretty good to me too. I wouldn't go over £270 for it (roughly $420 in US dollars) because it would certainly need a service before use.
There are a couple of other expmples of this watch on EBay at the moment. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/200777441382?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-O...749396268?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item4d0233452cPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network The dial on these have developed what is described as a "beautiful age patina" Is this normal? The original example doesn't appers to sufferr from this "patination". Can it be prevented? Thanks again in advance.
If you keep your watch serviced when it's supposed to and make sure the seals are good so that no moisture gets in, you might have a better chance of preventing patina/aging.
I should have included this one of mine. It has a guilloche patterned dial. These tend to hold up well, providing they are properly sealed, as Kyle says.
This one is really nice: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-195...730724466?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item4604f2b072Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
I love the patina on the gold capped Seamaster - So rich and probably more to do with sun damage than moisture. Maybe Ronnie Shroff's Lemon Aid could clean it, but I would leave it just like that. Some collectors love patina, Kyle is an aficionado, and thus really good watches can be had at a much lower investment than mint examples Cheers Desmond
not sure about this one - a 1950's piece and the dial still looking this good? a buy now for $649? if it looks to good to be true, then .......
Thanks to everyone for all the help. I'm trying to buy my fist Omega from the UK, preferably from the late 50s with one of the highly recommended 5xx calibers. It all appears to be a minefield, but I'm treading carefully and learning! Thanks again.