First post - Vintage Omega Seamaster

ChrisK25 · Jul 25, 2020

Hello all,

After browsing around and looking on the forum for a while I've decided i want to be part of the action by buying my first "real" watch. As an engineer, the craftmanship and ingenuity of mechanical watches have always had my interest. For now, I've got my eye on vintage Omega Seamasters for their sharp and clean look.

However, I am hesitant to dive into the deep end without consulting some more experienced watch owners/enthousiasts. Yesterday I came across this omega seamaster 166.002 from 1967 with a 565 caliber 25304498. It looks somewhat too pristine for its age to my layman's eyes. The asking price is 575 euro. Any advice/opinions are appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

janice&fred · Jul 25, 2020

Looks like a winner to me. Nice watch. Hard to say much price-wise as they are all over the place these days but your example shows it's age honestly and hasn't been needlessly fluffed up.

amcclell · Jul 25, 2020

I concur- a very nice watch. The dial looks original to me. The freckles in the dial and nicely aged lume give it character. The 500 series movements are very highly regarded.

MtV · Jul 25, 2020

Can’t see why this should be a redial, looks like an honest watch to me. The spots on the dial might be the clear coat letting go, but it’s pretty evenly spread so that’s fine. Cal. 565 is a really nice movement and correct for the ref, it looks nice and clean. If you like it: Go ahead. You could certainly do worse.
That being said, I’d say the price isn’t a bargain, but still ok.

ChrisK25 · Jul 25, 2020

Thanks for your reply. I think it looks good, as a first time buyer, i am just a bit reluctant to buy. Therefore, some more experienced watch owners giving their opinions might give me the little push i need!

amcclell · Jul 25, 2020

I am currently wearing the same style case with a manual wind 610 movement. These are lovely watches that go equally well casual or dress-d up.

Davidt · Jul 25, 2020

Dial is original with some spotting.

These mid 60’s dress Seamasters are plentiful and can be found with dials in near mint condition fairly easily. Personally I’d pass on this one and wait a few weeks until I could find one with a better dial.

janice&fred · Jul 25, 2020

amcclell
I am currently wearing the same style case with a manual wind 610 movement. These are lovely watches that go equally well casual or dress-d up.

Nice. Very Nice!

ChrisK25 · Jul 25, 2020

amcclell
I am currently wearing the same style case with a manual wind 610 movement. These are lovely watches that go equally well casual or dress-d up.

Looks great!

Spruce · Jul 25, 2020

Looks fine to me and the price is okay IMHO. Recently paid £575 for a BIN 165.003 in similar condition. Case possibly more polished than some like that’s for you to decide. Movement looks good but ask if it’s been serviced.

ChrisK25 · Jul 25, 2020

Thanks for all your replies! Seller says he's a watchmaker and serviced the watch himself. Although he is a private seller, he has some more omega's listed. How do i know if he's done a good job at servicing? Any questions i need to ask before buying?

Spruce · Jul 25, 2020

Well, even for €575, there’s no absolute guarantee but; the movement looks to be in nice condition, the inside of the rim of the case is clean and the sealing gasket looks new. I don’t think after a further look that it has been over polished.

If it was serviced independently, I’d ask for a copy of the receipt and any test print outs (not that I can read them) but since he says he’s done the service and knows what he’s doing, you’ll either have to trust him or not. Judging from the photos, I’d probably trust him.

Photos of 60 year old watches show all the dial and case marks that are not normally visible when you look at the watch on your wrist. It’s like seeing someone on TV in HD or in the flesh. HD, like watch photos, can be unforgiving.

Still, it’s your call. If you get it let us know what you think and post your own photos.

wilderbeast · Jul 25, 2020

For a serviced watch with honest signs of ageing, I think the price is fair. @Spruce makes a good point about polishing, but it’s acceptable to me. It would make a good daily wearer and, although better condition dials are out there, you most likely would have to pay a little more.

Your real problem will be stopping at owning just one vintage Omega...

amcclell · Jul 25, 2020

My watch that I posted above has the usual rounded edges from polishing over the years but this one looks very nice to me.

killer67 · Jul 25, 2020

For the price and condition I think it’s worth buying, and if the owner is a certified watchmaker then I don’t see any reason not to believe him about what’s been done to it

JwRosenthal · Jul 25, 2020

Welcome Chris. That’s a nice first piece, it’s honest and attractive. Sure you could find a better example with flawless dial and razor sharp case for the same money if you are patient and know how to strike the second you see it, but that takes expertise and confidence in buying vintage. If you stop to research, it will be gone in the 10 minutes it takes to google it.
If the seller can provide you an invoice for the work, that will go a long way if you choose to sell it down the line if you find a better example or your tastes in watches change (they can and they do).
If you get it, we need to see pics on the wrist.

ChrisK25 · Jul 26, 2020

Thanks for all your replies, i've come to an agreement with the seller for 550 euro including shipping. In the short conversation i've had with the supplier he seems genuine. Will certainly post pictures when it arrives! For the time being i will try to stick with just the one Omega... But all of you probably said the same thing with your first watch 😉

wilderbeast · Jul 26, 2020

ChrisK25
For the time being i will try to stick with just the one Omega... But all of you probably said the same thing with your first watch 😉

Yup - we did.

congrats on the purchase! Some nice photos back here when she’s in your hands are always appreciated. 👍

amcclell · Jul 26, 2020

wilderbeast
Yup - we did.

congrats on the purchase! Some nice photos back here when she’s in your hands are always appreciated. 👍

Ditto

Bill Sohne · Jul 26, 2020

HI @ChrisK25

First off welcome to the forum ! Secondly , I tip my hat to you and the entire forum... .. I have to say this is a "classic" example of a new member doing the EXACT right things in the correct order .......

1) You introduced yourself
2) You make you intentions clear about jumping in and buying a watch...
3) You presented an example your going after.. with GREAT reveling photos ....
4) You asked the community for their opinion.....

The response from the forum....
in my opinion .... helpful and insightful.... and looks to help you make an informed buy decision....

As a mod here , it nice to read a thread that really shows why the OF is a special place !!

Good Hunting to ALL!!!

Best
BIll

First post - Vintage Omega Seamaster

ChrisK25

janice&fred

amcclell

MtV

ChrisK25

amcclell

Davidt

janice&fred

ChrisK25

Spruce

ChrisK25

Spruce

wilderbeast

amcclell

killer67

JwRosenthal

ChrisK25

wilderbeast

amcclell

Bill Sohne

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