First Post - views on ebay/other listings/recommendations

efauser

You can buy but you'll need to pm the seller.

parkjam1

Thank you, I will also look in the forums to see if there are ones that I like! Interesting watches

wilderbeast

Welcome to the forum!

I think you have to ask yourself what it is you want a vintage Omega for. The 1948 Seamaster SEs are indeed beautiful and it’s clear that this classic and clean style appeals to you. However, I think from the watches you’ve posted, the shiny, ready-to-wear aspect of them is also appealing.

So, if you’re after a shiny, stylish ready-to-wear vintage Omega you have a choice: buy an original piece in phenomenal condition (which might not stay that way if you wear it every day) or buy a restored/redialled vintage piece that you can wear every day and which looks very presentable.

if you are comfortable with a restored or redialled watch, there are good ones and bad ones - so you need to study your target reference in advance. Most people won’t know the difference, of course. The second watch in your listings is a declared restored watch. It looks great and will be a talking point on your wrist, but it is not worth a fraction of its asking price to a collector. That may not matter to you, but you did ask about value appreciating, which is perhaps not the healthiest viewpoint. It’s fair to say that you won’t be able to sell a redial here for anything like what you might pay for it from a dealer. Originality is highly prized by collectors.

Let's look at two examples. My first vintage Omega was an undeclared restored watch, but I think having looked at original examples of the reference, it is one of the better redial jobs:

It’s a hand winding Seamaster from 1956, but has had replacement hands, has seen a polishing wheel and had a complete overhaul on the dial. I wear it without fear. I enjoy it and I would never think of selling it.

Now compare with an original piece I picked up just before Christmas:

This is an all-original C-case Constellation from 1970. It needed a service and replacement parts (including a new Omega crystal, stem and crown), the bracelet is aftermarket but with patience and a good watchmaker I have something which is more valuable than my redial for about two thirds of the price. The difference is a little knowledge and patience.

There’s no right or wrong with buying a watch if you know what you want and why, but I would say buying as an investment is not the best approach. Buying because you like the look and because it is a bit less than buying a new modern Omega is absolutely fine, in my book. We're not all collectors.

I’m no expert on Seamasters, but a quick internet search revealed that your first one has been discussed on WUS, and your last one looks fairly good (photos aren’t great, though). Vintage Seamasters from the 1960s are plentiful and there are some good ones around. You have to decide whether you want shiny and ready to wear, or have a little patience and pounce on a good one coming up here.

Good luck in your hunt.

gatorcpa

Of the three watches posted by the OP, the only one I would consider would be the first one, the 18K Seamaster.

It is the most expensive one, but is the only one if the three that is solid 18K gold. It is also the only one that is all original. In the current market of >$1,800 per oz. for gold, the price is fair as well.

ConElPueblo

Funny, I was ready to dismiss that one as an outright fake, but some research (well, googling…) put me straight.

Funny how the it appears as both Tresor and Seamaster with different casebacks, something that apparently also fooled @mac_omega ages ago.

seekingseaquest

I always wondered what those 6-sided crowns came off of..

wilderbeast

I got the 1956 Seamaster from Austin Kaye in London and the main reason I won’t part with it is because it was an anniversary present from my wife. They are no longer trading, but if this is the kind of thing you’re after, somewhere like Fine Watch Club or Parkers Jewellers are similar dealers in the UK. If you do some research on threads here, you will find members have had a variety of experiences with them. I am sure there will be similar dealers wherever you are in the world.

Many will say they are overpriced, and my experience subsequently tells me they are, but you usually get a warranty and a serviced piece for less than a modern piece. That peace of mind and the “looks like new” vibe definitely has a market.

seekingseaquest

I always wondered what those 6-sided crowns came off of..

ConElPueblo

I only knew them from the Olympic Seamasters… This one is new to me 😀

ConElPueblo

Funny, I was ready to dismiss that one as an outright fake, but some research (well, googling…) put me straight.

Funny how the it appears as both Tresor and Seamaster with different casebacks, something that apparently also fooled @mac_omega ages ago.

JwRosenthal

The above posts are all very valuable info. Before you jump into the pool, you need to assess what it is you want, and that may change over time as you get deeper into the hobby- (unless this is a one and done situation which is fine but rarely happens. These things are like chips, you can never have just one.
To further the example so well made by @wilderbeast :

This was my first vintage Seamaster.

It was fully serviced, dial repainted, came on the bracelet- it was pay and play. For a redial it’s pretty well done and only collectors who know what to look for would notice. I was quite proud of this watch when I bought it, but as I got further into collecting vintage pieces, originality became more important to me.

This Seamaster I bought about a year ago and it needed work.

The dial and case were in good shape but it needed a service, the crystal was an aftermarket that didn’t fit properly, the lume on the hands was missing and half the dial lume was eroded off. I had it serviced, hands and partial dial lume restored to match what was original, NOS crystal and correct bracelet sourced. I love this watch and all the effort was worth it.
The first watch which actually looks better at first blush has gone to a good home where the current owner doesn’t care about the originality- he loves it.
Get what you like and feel comfortable buying but make sure you educate yourself to what you are buying and what the market rate is for comparable models. If you want a fully restored example, go for it- they can be very attractive if done well. Just make sure you don’t pay a premium for a “restored” dial- although it sounds like a good thing it’s actually not in terms of resale value if you ever decide to change things up.

gatorcpa

Here is another Ref. 2866 with a Seamaster dial:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/174353563762

Omega was not consistent with model names. What was a Tresor in one country was a Seamaster in another.

Has the same 6-sided crown also.
gatorcpa

gatorcpa

Different markets or case manufacturers.

Both look good to me.
gatorcpa