Dear all

I'm inexperienced when it comes to vintage Omegas, and would be grateful for more informed opinions on this watch, and the sellers:

http://www.vintage-watches-collection.com/watch/omega-watch/omega-seamaster-gold-capped-bumper-1953/

Do the 1950s/60s Seamaster models seem correctly priced and good quality, with original parts?

 

Agreed - WAY too expensive.

 

I wouldn't be quite so dismissive about this seller. The web-site is superb, and well worth browsing for a great deal of excellent watch history and background information about the vintage watch market in the UK, especially if you are new to the scene. As far as price goes, yes they are on the high side but again not so steep as you would suggest. There is no way that you could find a Seamaster like this in the UK for 25% of the asking price as you imply - not a chance. And certainly not from a dealer. You might just find one at £500 to £600, but probably not as nice. In the USA things are different, obviously . . .

John

 

I admit UK price is higher in general for vintage. Not for the modern one though.

 

Thank you for these great comments. Interestingly, I was concerned that the price on this website was too low! I was quoted £1800 for a similar model at George Somlo in Burlington arcade, and £1500 at Austin Kaye on the Strand. I wanted to see whether the watches on the site look quality/original components, without redials.

Thanks for the suggestion of looking in the 'for sale' section- but current sea masters there seem to have too much "patina"- I'd like something in very good condition, ideally.

 

Top Quality is MUCH more expensive than good/fair quality.

Some of the Somlo stock is excellent - but not all, and he does have to pay the rent on what I believe is the most expensive shop in the Arcade.

Anyone can walk into a shop and buy a brand new watch for say £3000. It takes taste, judgement, patience and negotiation to find a fine vintage watch. A little knowledge doesn't hurt.

It sounds like you have those, I wish you all the luck in finding what you seek.

 

A friend of mine has bought several pieces from the dealer in the original post. Their prices are a bit steep, generally and he now treats claims of recent services with a huge pinch of salt. To put their prices into perspective, he bought a Zenith from them for about 3 times what I paid for a similar watch on eBay. They have recently told him that they have stopped updating their web site.

 

In the 'For Sale' section here I saw only one Omega which I would consider "collectible". I wouldn't rate any of the three watches I personally own as collectible, either, they each have problems. True collectibles are either museum quality, or so rare as to justify a lower standard of condition. Which isn't to say you can't own and enjoy something which wears its scars with pride - I've had a few guitars like that, over the years.

 

Just noticed your avatar John.

A little bit more elegant than the traditional Aussie dunny ;-)

 

Agreed. What makes something valuable is a curious and variable thing, however. For example, if you were purchasing J F Kennedy's watch or Elvis' watch, you would certainly not want it to be pristine - it would have to bear the patina and scars of ownership. A bit like Hendix's guitar, really. So in this case the famous association is actually more important than the object. I collect old Hasselblad cameras and lenses, and to be worth anything at all they have to be mint, mint, mint. But old Leicas (M series) are often actually worth more (or at least as much) when they are heavily brassed (worn).

 

My view on collecting is that once I have decided to add a watch to my collection, I will "bank" a reasonable example and carry on looking for a better example. The only problem with this is that I find selling anything distasteful - that's just me and God bless all you sellers, without whom........ - so I end up with both good and mediocre examples of the same watch. A prime example are my Zenith 133.8 Chronometres. I bought a nice (broken) stainless steel example (since mended) then a week later I bought an 18 ct. version with a not so good dial, but I'm still looking for the gold one with a perfect dial.

If I wasn't so obsessive about it, when I find the perfect one, I should sell the imperfect gold one but I just know that I won't.

 

This is how I ended up with four... soon to be five... Spacemen.



Will have to divest myself of half of this squadron.

 

But you are as bad as me.

 

Oh good. Not just me then.

'69's. On straps.