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Advise for Seamaster Chronograph 1970‘s

cbr_650r92
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Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some advice. I love Omega and already own two pieces that I adore: a 1970s Seamaster Quartz (ref. 196.0073) and an Omega f300Hz.

I'm now considering a more significant purchase: a vintage Omega Seamaster Chronograph. They seem to be listed between €1,800 and €3,000.

The owner of this watch in the photos said he could do 1.400 euros I think it’s a great price right

Would you recommend this move?
Keep in mind not rich so a expensive maintain would be the worst for me 😂
Also My main concern is that I have a fairly small wrist and I'm worried it might look too bulky.

Thanks for your help guys 💪🏽👍🏽🍀

IMG_4773.webp IMG_4772.webp
 
ErichKeane
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They are about $1000 to service (JUST had mine into Omega, see my other threads), and something you'll need to do every handful of years. They are fantastic watches though, I have a SS one.

$1400 EU is a pretty reasonable price for that, though you'll need a service pretty quickly I presume. Full gold colored ones are less valuable (or at least were when I looked) than stainless ones, but I paid more for mine.

As far as size, they aren't that big? Only way to tell is to try one I'd imagine. I'm a 6.5" wrist, and here's mine:

1778178317460.webp
 
cbr_650r92
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
They are about $1000 to service (JUST had mine into Omega, see my other threads), and something you'll need to do every handful of years. They are fantastic watches though, I have a SS one.

$1400 EU is a pretty reasonable price for that, though you'll need a service pretty quickly I presume. Full gold colored ones are less valuable (or at least were when I looked) than stainless ones, but I paid more for mine.

As far as size, they aren't that big? Only way to tell is to try one I'd imagine. I'm a 6.5" wrist, and here's mine:

1778178317460.webp
Really beautiful watch! 💪🏽
$1,000 for a service is a bit much for me, but you mentioned you had it done directly at Omega? I assume an independent watchmaker would charge significantly less.
The watch I posted actually had a service last year. I thought maintenance was usually necessary every 5–6 years? It seems like the intervals for this specific watch are much shorter?

Could you send me link for your threads ? Couldn’t find it or I’m just a noob 😅
Thanks for your answer
 
ErichKeane
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cbr_650r92 cbr_650r92
Really beautiful watch! 💪🏽
$1,000 for a service is a bit much for me, but you mentioned you had it done directly at Omega? I assume an independent watchmaker would charge significantly less.
The watch I posted actually had a service last year. I thought maintenance was usually necessary every 5–6 years? It seems like the intervals for this specific watch are much shorter?

Could you send me link for your threads ? Couldn’t find it or I’m just a noob 😅
Thanks for your answer
Not "Significantly less" by anyone with an Omega parts account. I went with Omega because it needed some additional stuff that I knew they would replace for no charge, but they were roughly the same. 800-$1000 to service a chronograph, at least in the US.

The watch I posted actually had a service last year.
Says who? Sellers ALWAYS had their watches 'serviced last year'. If it was serviced last year, why wasn't the chipped crystal replaced? Rule of thumb is to never believe that. And yeah, every 5-8 years for a service, but you basically want to get one as soon as you buy.
 
cbr_650r92
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Not "Significantly less" by anyone with an Omega parts account. I went with Omega because it needed some additional stuff that I knew they would replace for no charge, but they were roughly the same. 800-$1000 to service a chronograph, at least in the US.


Says who? Sellers ALWAYS had their watches 'serviced last year'. If it was serviced last year, why wasn't the chipped crystal replaced? Rule of thumb is to never believe that. And yeah, every 5-8 years for a service, but you basically want to get one as soon as you buy.

ErichKeane ErichKeane
Not "Significantly less" by anyone with an Omega parts account. I went with Omega because it needed some additional stuff that I knew they would replace for no charge, but they were roughly the same. 800-$1000 to service a chronograph, at least in the US.


Says who? Sellers ALWAYS had their watches 'serviced last year'. If it was serviced last year, why wasn't the chipped crystal replaced? Rule of thumb is to never believe that. And yeah, every 5-8 years for a service, but you basically want to get one as soon as you buy.
He has some receipts and said he still have some warranty but idk I’m new to this watch game so maybe I’m too naive 😂

„It includes the service warranty and the old parts that were swapped for original NOS Omega pieces.“

https://www.chrono24.de/omega/seamaster--id40777161.htm?SETLANG=de_DE&SETCURR=EUR

That’s the link for the watch.
I really didn’t pay attention to that part but he saying some parts were replaced.
I don’t know it that’s a good sign tho‘

And I found a really good one. He made service for 100 euros for my Quarz watch and he said for automatic ones he charging round about 300-500. he also has a omega service certificate but we didn’t talkt that much about the service for a automatic omega.

Like I said before big big thanks for your replies. I’m honored to learn from a omega guru like you 💪🏽👍🏽🫡
 
ErichKeane
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cbr_650r92 cbr_650r92
He has some receipts and said he still have some warranty but idk I’m new to this watch game so maybe I’m too naive 😂

„It includes the service warranty and the old parts that were swapped for original NOS Omega pieces.“

https://www.chrono24.de/omega/seamaster--id40777161.htm?SETLANG=de_DE&SETCURR=EUR

That’s the link for the watch.
I really didn’t pay attention to that part but he saying some parts were replaced.
I don’t know it that’s a good sign tho‘

And I found a really good one. He made service for 100 euros for my Quarz watch and he said for automatic ones he charging round about 300-500. he also has a omega service certificate but we didn’t talkt that much about the service for a automatic omega.

Like I said before big big thanks for your replies. I’m honored to learn from a omega guru like you 💪🏽👍🏽🫡
For 'collectable' value, certain parts matter. Mine is far from original as you can see here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-service-experience-on-my-vintage-176-007.187799/ , but the purpose of mine is a 'wear all over the place' kinda watch.

Note that chronographs are always much more expensive. Most watchmakers are 3-500 for an automatic, chronographs tend to be ~2-3x due to the massive increase in parts.

IF it were me, at 1400 EUD, I'd toss it on a timegrapher app with a wind in it, and if it was +/-15 s/d, AND Amplitude of ~240-250+, I'd buy it, wear it for 4-5 years, and get it serviced, assuming you like it. Not my favorite version of the reference (its a hunk of gold color, and with gold hands, legibility can be a concern), but lovely and seems to be a good deal.
 
cbr_650r92
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
For 'collectable' value, certain parts matter. Mine is far from original as you can see here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-service-experience-on-my-vintage-176-007.187799/ , but the purpose of mine is a 'wear all over the place' kinda watch.

Note that chronographs are always much more expensive. Most watchmakers are 3-500 for an automatic, chronographs tend to be ~2-3x due to the massive increase in parts.

IF it were me, at 1400 EUD, I'd toss it on a timegrapher app with a wind in it, and if it was +/-15 s/d, AND Amplitude of ~240-250+, I'd buy it, wear it for 4-5 years, and get it serviced, assuming you like it. Not my favorite version of the reference (its a hunk of gold color, and with gold hands, legibility can be a concern), but lovely and seems to be a good deal.
Thanks for the tips, I’ll definitely do that
I completely agree with your point of view. I want to wear this watch daily
The most important thing for me is that it runs well and is reliable. While the collectability and originality matter to me at the point of purchase, once it's mine, I just want to enjoy wearing it.


Could you also tell me what material your strap is made of? It looks great and complements the watch perfectly.
 
ErichKeane
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cbr_650r92 cbr_650r92
Thanks for the tips, I’ll definitely do that
I completely agree with your point of view. I want to wear this watch daily
The most important thing for me is that it runs well and is reliable. While the collectability and originality matter to me at the point of purchase, once it's mine, I just want to enjoy wearing it.


Could you also tell me what material your strap is made of? It looks great and complements the watch perfectly.
Mine is Suede from StrapTailor. He takes a while, but the strap is really nice.
 
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