Hi, everyone! Newbie Omega watch user, who just purchased his first Omega watch

Yesterday, Thursday, I purchased this '72 Omega Seamaster De Ville on Ebay. After I purchased it, I'm beginning to have second thoughts on it, and feel this watch is not the real deal. As I was doing research (I also did research, too, before I purchase the watch and thought what to look for (Ref. #, caliber movement, forgery of fonts implemented on the case, movement and the dial), somethings look way off. The fonts, "Seamaster" and "De Ville," look way off; the letter 'V' look to wide and the letter 'M' seem too symmetrical compared to other Seamaster De Villes. The box calendar's border is thin and not as thick as the other ones. The minute hand might be a little short, but I'm uncertain. Also, the crown is not the Omega crown. Don't know what watch brand is that.

So, I'm wondering if this watch is authentic or not? Redial maybe?

I hope the, taken by me, are crisp and clear. They are zoom-ins. I try my best to find good lighting. Also, here is the link of the watch with more pictures (the inside of the watch): https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Omega-Seamaster-Deville-Gold-Filled-%CE%A9-563-Automatic-33mm-Swiss-Watch-Vtg/202122199694?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2648 Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network





I apologize for the lighting.

 

Bad pic. The dial has a problem: T SWISS MADE T and no tritium anywhere. Hmmmmmm.... And I dont know if it is me, but something is not right about the text. Maybe is just a bad pic. Something like this would help:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vin...ld-filled-new-old-stock-box-and-papers.61856/

 

I agree with you this just doesn’t look quite right. On original dials Omega always get T SWISS MADE T bang on equal either side with the minute markers. This one looks slightly off to me but could just be bad photos.

 

Someone cleaned the Tritium off of the dial and put on non Tritium hands. This dial had very small Tritium application.

Logo is applied, or at least looks like it to me.

 

Thank, guys, for your wisdom and expertise! Your replies became a learning aspect to me, and I will apply that for further learning. Thank you, @fjf, for the link! It was totally helpful for comparison. I apologize for the low-res pics, you guys. My phone lacks to focus... But, I hope these are little better, at least.



Yes, the tritium is not present on the hands and dial, at all. The "T SWISS MADE T" inscription is too far apart to one another. The "DE VILLE" seems to be out-of-proportioned. The letter "V" looked too wide.

 

First of all the Seamaster De Ville was only made from 1963 to 1967. By 1968 it was just the De Ville...the serial number on this movement is from 1974, so this is a franken watch at best. Also don't like the spacing on the T Swiss Made T, here is an example of original dial...


Then there is the De Ville font, doesn't have the serifs it should (and the Ville part is too spread out)...



And yes IMO the minute hand should reach the minute marks. So IMO this is a franken watch with a redial made from Omega parts.

Anyway, just my two cents!

 

American cased Seamaster De Villes were available in 1968.

This watch looks genuine to me with the exception of a bad redial and possibly the wrong Omega hands (and the crown of course).

Details from the OVDB.

US COLLECTION
1968
SEAMASTER DE VILLE
KM 6292

FEATURES

• International collection1968
• Case materialGold-filled
• Vintage Watch Watchcase typeUnishell (case opening on dial side)
• DialNot available
• BraceletLeather

MOVEMENTS

• MovementsAutomatic (mechanical)
• Caliber Number563
• OtherCreated in 1965 17 jewels Central sweep-second hand

TECHNICAL DATA

• Water resistance30 meters

 

Since I, too, have been on the hunt for a SMDV (early 60’s, though - so typical!), here’s what my research uncovered: according to the Omega site, SMDVs were marketed well into the 1970s. I’m no expert, to be sure, yet this seems pretty compelling evidence. Perhaps they were only continued past ‘67 in the US/Canada? As always, I very much value the long-serving experts’ thoughts on this.

Michael

https://omegaforums.net/threads/seamaster-de-ville-production-debate.67884/#post-852482

 

Yes 1968 is last year I miss spoke...but a movement from 1974 says franken all day long!

 

I think we're leading a dead horse to water here.

The 34 mill serial puts the watch at about 1974. There is much discussion over the cut-off dates of North american SMDV production, and in fact @X350 XJR sold a 34 mill SMDV dated at 1972 as pointed out in the link by @mydeafcat.

I'm inclined to believe the movement and the watch started life together before they suffered the abuse evident in the listing photos.

 

I stand corrected!

From 1968...