Buying this Seamaster for $350. Any advice?

The plating loss on the lugs is unappealing to me. I would pass.

Gold plated cases generally don't age well because the plating is so thin. It usually wears off and exposes the base metal underneath and the only way to fix that is to have the case replated. I agree with Dan and I would pass. If you want a gold cased Seamaster at a relatively affordable price, it would be better to find a gold capped model. Gold cap is a thick layer of gold bonded to the top and sides of a stainless steel case. They are far more durable than gold plated cases. Better still, in my opinion, would be to just go with an all stainless steel case - plenty of reasonably priced vintage Seamasters out there in stainless steel in good condition. Kaplan is giving you good advice to check out what's available in the private watch sales subforum right here on OF.

We all love old Omega. If the plating issues don’t worry you, it’s a nice watch with a good movement and will make a nice daily wearer.

If you change your mind, at the price you’ve quoted you should be able to get more or less the same price on a resale.

If you're not set on a gold-tone watch and it's within your budget, you could spend 2.5x the price and get 10x the watch: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-ref-166-032-168-023-serviced.142014/

I gotta say, and take this with a grain of salt as I’m just a dude but I have never had an issue with a purchase made on this forum and there have been quite a few. I do have the occasional issue on eBay and other sites but often they are high volume sellers who don’t do DD on what they are selling. Obviously people (myself included) have good fortune on eBay and related sites they have been around for a long time. Well I guess that doesn’t help much as I’m saying both are good options really I’ll just shut up now. Good luck.

This thread is often a recommended read for people wading into vintage watches for the first time: https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish.52603/

As for the watch I recommended, I’ve been considering buying it myself for several days, so that should tell you where I land on it. I’ve not yet owned an Omega day date complication, I really like the textured dial, the case is sharp, and it comes on a nice bracelet that I could also wear on other watches I own. (Damn it, part of the reason I recommended it was in slight hope the temptation of buying it myself might be removed, but typing the above sentence has me wanting to follow up with the seller and claim it.)

There are a lot of people on this forum far more qualified to give advice than I, but I would suggest taking your time. There is so much to learn in vintage watches and so many small details between references to study and contemplate, and I think that process is a significantly enjoyable part of the hobby for most of us. I’ve only been enjoying vintage watches for 5 years, and many of the references that first caught my eye no longer interest me. So that would be my advice - take your time, read, research and study, and if all else fails, maybe buy that 168.023 I linked to before I do 👍

To answer a couple of your other questions - you don't have to worry about fakes being offered for sale on this forum, as the sales are closely moderated. If you have questions about a watch for sale, you can always create a thread asking questions. You’ll typically get more amicable responses if you share what your own research has uncovered in your post. You should always do your own research on sellers, and I find most of the members offering items for sale have excellent feedback here.

Hi,

Welcome here.

Just check out the seller/buyer review section here in OF :
https://omegaforums.net/search/18497271/
I for one have been buying several watches from Toishome and I will do it again with full and complete peace of mind.

All is transparent here, and no fake watches would be allowed to go easily here, which is priceless to me.

I think you should as recommended have a broader look and take your time to know which watches you like and would rather go for. This will be even more gratifying and the watch will stay longer in your possession. Some really nice ones are often appearing here.