Easy to fix? Missing crown: Omega Seamaster De Ville 1960s

Frexicana · Oct 9, 2022

Hello,

I am on the hunt for a watch as a special gift for my partner and am considering this Omega Seamaster De Ville on eBay (link:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20411493...qJ+kxRso9XCMvp/GhldGogecnv|tkp:Bk9SR7yIq8H3YA). It has a missing crown and was wondering if it is something worth fixing? Is it a big issue that its missing it's crown? How expensive would it be to fix? I attach photos as well. Thank you in advance!

Davidt · Oct 9, 2022

The crown itself is fairly simple for a watchmaker and the modern service crowns aren’t expensive.
However, a missing crown could lead to water ingress and this would need to be ruled out.

However, that specific watch is an utter dog. The dial has been poorly repainted and the hands are wrong. Stay away.

PlainVanilla · Oct 9, 2022

Frexicana
Hello,

I am on the hunt for a watch as a special gift for my partner and am considering this Omega Seamaster De Ville on eBay (link:https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204114935928?hash=item2f8632c078:g:iEEAAOSw4HpjQocI&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAsM3Fimf7b2IGWuGcay7KfyWEjaB1/pJ4OSvvwfUBcgHLcC/bx2M1hmdUhgGUI9GjpiRx3OVqlcfSWNhFrS0DSGdBc1J1c92IWM7E5nfTVArwAkRnLyw2FSgsIbcgD5J3cyWFV5OjeorKpNAHl9AQK+NGkwLbCi07g5klzpaf/iYj9n7Yz1nuF8Sm8hIWL665O5FfAjVsdnaCSrlW8lqJ+kxRso9XCMvp/GhldGogecnv|tkp:Bk9SR7yIq8H3YA). It has a missing crown and was wondering if it is something worth fixing? Is it a big issue that its missing it's crown? How expensive would it be to fix? I attach photos as well. Thank you in advance!

Hello! The Seamaster DeVille has a split stem crown, which means that the crown can be taken off and then snapped back just like that so no, a missing crown isn't that bad an issue in itself.

However, a missing crown lets moisture inside the case, which is more problematic.

And just a quick word on that watch: it's a fake dial and it has inaccurate hands.

Good luck on your search!

PlainVanilla · Oct 9, 2022

Davidt
The crown itself is fairly simple for a watchmaker and the modern service crowns aren’t expensive.
However, a missing crown could lead to water ingress and this would need to be ruled out.

However, that specific watch is an utter dog. The dial has been poorly repainted and the hands are wrong. Stay away.

Haha you fired first! 😁

Frexicana · Oct 9, 2022

Davidt
The crown itself is fairly simple for a watchmaker and the modern service crowns aren’t expensive.
However, a missing crown could lead to water ingress and this would need to be ruled out.

However, that specific watch is an utter dog. The dial has been poorly repainted and the hands are wrong. Stay away.

Thanks for the help!

PlainVanilla · Oct 9, 2022

I hadn't checked the prices asked for black dialed Seamaster DeVilles for a long time. These people are crazy.

Anyway, check this one:

Screenshot-20221009-115636-com-ebay-mobile-edit-719264079755873.jpg

Screenshot-20221009-115644-com-ebay-mobile-edit-719284650456911.jpg

https://www.ebay.fr/itm/18462406015...v9rny4bt-e&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

What my experience tells me:
- Most black crosshair dials on Seamaster DeVilles are fake.

What my eyes tell me:
- These pictures are awful.
- Still, with as shitty pictures of the previous watch, I could have noticed that the dial was fake for sure. Here, it's not so obvious.
- The crystal is wasted.
- The rest of the watch is pretty much OK. You can still see the facets on the lugs which is a good sign.
- A replacement crystal will cost you $200 in the absolute worst case scenario.
- All around, for about a third of the price of all other black dialled DeVilles I can find on eBay right now, you can have a very good looking one with a fresh crystal.
- However, if you are looking for a steel example, this one is a pass.

Might be interesting to ask the seller for a couple of good straight shots of the dial in plain sunlight.

Easy to fix? Missing crown: Omega Seamaster De Ville 1960s

Frexicana

Davidt

PlainVanilla

PlainVanilla

Frexicana

PlainVanilla

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