Experience in Buying My First Vintage Watch (1317021)

Hello everyone,

This forum has helped me so much in my growth as a watch enthusiast. I am new in this forum but I would like to give back by contributing my experience in buying my first vintage watch.

Now back to the watch.


This beauty is an Omega Genève with referece number 1317021. The serial number dates this watch back to 1969. I bought this from CLTimeworks. I will share more photos of this watch down below and I will share the lessons that I have learned.


You may have noticed the tarnish or discolouration on the case. For those of you who do not what what tarnish is, it is when a thin layer of corrosion appears on the metal. Gold in its pure form does not tarnish but the metals added to it does. This watch is 14k gold by the way (you'll see this information when I show the opened caseback later).

In the description, the seller wrote that this watch has been unpolished. The tarnishing may support that this watch is unpolished but as I've read in others posts it isn't a sure thing. Although when coupled with the sharpness of the case and lugs, it seems to add more weight to the seller's claims.

From my limited knowledge, the dial does not seem to be refurbished. Kindly correct me if you have grounds to think otherwise.

*edited out some details

Now for the lessons that I learned.
1. Always ask to see the movement and opened caseback.

I bought this watch without seeing the reference number as well as the movement. It is a rookie mistake, but I bought it anyway because the seller had good reviews online and from his website and instagram I see that he services vintage watches. But by not getting a look at the movement and caseback, it made it hard for me to find info about the watch and not knowing bothered me a great deal. I should have taken my time to ask for the needed info before purchasing.
And after purchasing I asked for a view of the movement and caseback, but the seller said he would give them to me after servicing. I obliged but looking back it should have pressed him for photos then and there to avoid a lot of overthinking and worrying (XD). But he was true to his word and gave me the pictures I needed after servicing.




2. Get as much of info about the watch as you can.
Big thanks to Omega Forums for the abundant information. You can view the pinned posts in the vintage omega section to know more. Shoutout as well to OmegaEnthusiast's Youtube videos. But know that there is only so much you can find without the reference number (lesson 1). And it turns out this watch has an uncommon reference number which is 1317021. Usually the reference for this type of Genève style has 6 digits not 7 (ie. 131.021, 131.041 etc.).

3. Ask for a video of the watch or for more photos from different angles.
As you can see from the pictures, the watch looks fantastic. But the watch had some scratches and dings which the seller pointed out after servicing.
Note the ding in the right lug in this photo

And the swipe mark in this photo.


Knowing about these defects late made me ask for a refund since I became disappointed. But after thinking about it and realigning my expectations, I told the seller that I would push through. This indecisiveness and broken expectations could have been avoided if I had asked for a video or for more pictures at different angles.


Well, those are the main lessons I learned. And I hope it has helped or entertained you, the reader, in some way.


Take care,

GingkoLeaf

Go visit cltimeworks.com if you want to buy watches or have your watch serviced by him. He's a nice guy and replies promptly.

Tell him Charlie sent you 😁

I think you are over reacting here. I really dont think you have any grounds for complaint, or a refund. The tarnishing you talk about also takes many years to form, and i view this as good sign that the watch hasnt been prepared for sale ( ie polished with a cloth or a wheel)

just enjoy your new timepiece

Thank you for your post.

You do have a point. The watch is still great and I appreciate the seller for accommodating me.

But for me, these marks and dings were hidden in the photos when I purchased them. I was expecting crisp lines all around and my expectations took a hit when he showed these dings and scratches to me after servicing.

Well if you can prove the marks were made during servicing you will have more of an argument

Good sellers normally point out flaws in watches before sales are made

Yes, I believe the seller did not mean to deceive. He informed me that he thought the flaws were apparent in the photos. He said that he'll improve in this area.

Thanks for your input, Sherbie.

noted
will edit

I would not say so. This model has a 601 movement. And if I google this ref no., this website pops up
https://www.zeitauktion.com/en/omeg...ing-men-s-watch-1211-131-7021-vintage-1900829
And this is a screenshot from the site.

Take notice of the movement and reference number. It's similar to mine.

In defense of tarnish

I wouldn’t clean that case at all.

Thanks for your examples!

Tarnish will probably be a hit or miss depending on personal taste. But I agree with you 👍