"Blue dial" '77 De Ville.

Posts

1,875

Likes

2,863

Annapolis

·Apr 20, 2020

In my no-rush, continuing search for '77s, I came across this gem. 😀

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-OM...DIAL-DRESS-MENS-WATCH-RARE-ITEMS/283853575092

I gather that in some markets "polished" is considered a major positive. To each his own. But I'm curious about the dial here: did someone repaint it to make it blue??? I'm having a difficult time locating a reliable record of the same thing elsewhere.

To be clear, I don't think I'd ever consider purchasing this, but am interested to learn more about it.

 

This website may earn commission from Ebay sales.

Posts

24,600

Likes

54,634

Dan S

·Apr 20, 2020

The seller indicates that the dial is "restored", which is a euphemism for repainted.

 

Posts

1,875

Likes

2,863

Annapolis

·Apr 20, 2020

Yeah, they manage to be honest and cagey at the same time.

...I suppose what I'm asking is, is it possible the dial was originally blue and "restored" to a super-shiny version of its original blue-ness, or (as I strongly suspect) is there 0 chance of that; rather, it used to be another color (probably one of the commonly found gold or creme colors) and got smurfed for no good reason whatsoever?

 

Posts

24,600

Likes

54,634

Dan S

·Apr 20, 2020

Just look through all of the watches listed by that seller, and I think the answer will be obvious.

 

Posts

1,875

Likes

2,863

Annapolis

·Apr 20, 2020

True.

 

Posts

4,834

Likes

12,223

wagudc

·Apr 20, 2020

Annapolis

Yeah, they manage to be honest and cagey at the same time.

...I suppose what I'm asking is, is it possible the dial was originally blue and "restored" to a super-shiny version of its original blue-ness, or (as I strongly suspect) is there 0 chance of that; rather, it used to be another color (probably one of the commonly found gold or creme colors) and got smurfed for no good reason whatsoever?

It was smurfed because it will stand out to someone who is not knowledgeable about how it originally looked, and they will want to buy it. Same reason the case has a high-gloss liquid metal finish. Also, the "Omega" buckle is not genuine.

 

Posts

4,834

Likes

12,223

wagudc

·Apr 20, 2020

A general word of advice: if a 50+ year old watch sparkles and glows it is probably not original.

 

Posts

1,875

Likes

2,863

Annapolis

·Apr 20, 2020

I totally get that: been lurking here enough the past few months to learn to appreciate the value of a bit of true vintage aging and to dislike overpolished turds (a phrase I've come to enjoy). I guess I was just taken aback to learn that someone would actually so overzealously (almost sacrilegiously!) "restore" a watch to a color that bears no relation to its origins or even anything Omega ever manufactured. I'll be watching to see what it sells for, out of a kind of morbid curiosity. I suppose people get what they deserve, if they don't bother to do any research. But the thought of someone plunking down $$$ or even $$$$ to purchase what amounts to a kind of forgery (albeit one painted onto an authentic canvas) makes me a little queasy. Caveat emptor, I guess.

 

Posts

1,875

Likes

2,863

Annapolis

·Apr 20, 2020

And I guess the flipside here is that things are worth what people are willing to pay for them, no more, no less.

 

Posts

13,295

Likes

23,097

Davidt

·Apr 20, 2020

There are some lovely original blue Omega dials from the 70's (the one in the OP clearly isn't one).

Here's one I used to own.

 

Posts

24,600

Likes

54,634

Dan S

·Apr 20, 2020

Annapolis

I suppose people get what they deserve, if they don't bother to do any research. But the thought of someone plunking down $$$ or even $$$$ to purchase what amounts to a kind of forgery (albeit one painted onto an authentic canvas) makes me a little queasy. Caveat emptor, I guess.

It's not a desirable watch to me, but not everyone is a collector. The listing seems pretty honest, and it's not my business what buyers do with their money. To be safe, just don't make assumptions when you read a listing ... take them literally.