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First purchase help on Omega Seamaster de Ville 166.020

Candle00
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Hi there,

I've been speaking to a reputable antiques dealer in the UK about this piece and just looking to get some general feedback on quality/value/condition as this is my first purchase.

Year: 1966
Movement: Automatic
Case: Stainless steel case with Seamaster Hippocampus logo on the back
Dial: Original silvered dial with baton hour markers and a date aperture to 3 o'clock
Calibre: 562 24 jewel mechanism
Case width: 34mm
Case ref: 166.020

The dealer confirms that the crown, crystal and band have been replaced from the original and that the watch has been recently serviced.

I was originally keen on this exact model with a black dial but they're so hard to come by and prices seem to be inflated because of the Don Draper association.

Any thoughts/comments/feedback would be much appreciated!
Thanks,


Omega SS 2 (1).jpg Omega SS 2 (2).jpg Omega SS 4 (1).jpg Omega SS 4 (2).jpg Omega SS 6.jpg
 
Vicke
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I would request a sharp, in focus, hi-res picture of the movement before considering that watch any further.
Edited:
 
Candle00
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It's upwards of £500. The dealer is well-respected and is even travelling to meet me in person. What do you think is a fair price considering everything?
 
Davidt
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From your pics, the dial looks original, but it's hard to judge the condition.

From a UK dealer, £500 isn't a terrible price, but I'd want to see if in person or get better pictures.
 
Noddyman
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Candle00 Candle00
It's upwards of £500. The dealer is well-respected and is even travelling to meet me in person. What do you think is a fair price considering everything?
I also think price is fair considering a dealer.
All dealers claim watches have been serviced, I would want evidence as that could put an extra £200 - £250 on the bill.
 
dan7800
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I will let the more experienced folks here trump me, but I always take it with a large grain of salt when folks say a watch was serviced. Unless I see significant evidence of the service, I'd consider it unserviced.
 
dan7800
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Noddyman Noddyman
I also think price is fair considering a dealer.
All dealers claim watches have been serviced, I would want evidence as that could put an extra £200 - £250 on the bill.

I once had someone claim they had completely serviced my watch. I took it to a much more trusted watchmaker 2 months later, and they found the watch hadn't been touched as far as servicing.

The lessons you learn....
 
1jansen
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The watch looks ok to me. Though photos off-focus, dial appears to be original. Matching movement of cal.562/ref.166020.
My best offer will be not exceeding GBP450.
Hope it helps.
Good luck !
 
Edward53
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For that money I'd want the crown to be original. But if you are in a hurry to buy, it's a fair dealer's price.
 
IDXM
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dan7800 dan7800
I will let the more experienced folks here trump me, but I always take it with a large grain of salt when folks say a watch was serviced. Unless I see significant evidence of the service, I'd consider it unserviced.
This! Always assume it needs a service unless proven otherwise.
 
Temprus
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do you think it was really serviced recently? I don't think so. There is a lot of dirt between the glass and bezel and on the case back. The stem end look oxidized.The seconds hand is too rusty. The crown is not original. Not a good example for this price.
 
dan7800
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Temprus Temprus
do you think it was really serviced recently? I don't think so. There is a lot of dirt between the glass and bezel and on the case back. The stem end look oxidized.The seconds hand is too rusty. The crown is not original. Not a good example for this price.

+1

Get a better example.
 
Candle00
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Thank you all for this. Very helpful. I've spoken with the seller and he's happy to provide a copy of when the watch was serviced including the date. He mentioned that all the staff wear the watches for a period of time so they can ensure that they're keeping time within a reasonable parameter but perhaps that could all be fluff. He's a well-known dealer so I don't think he'd try pull any tricks. Perhaps that's just wishful thinking....
 
dan7800
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Well-known or well respected?

Everyone can do as they want, but personally I don't trust most people when they "service" the watch.
 
Candle00
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Both. To his credit, he said the watch has been 'overhauled' as like you he doesn't like to use the word "service" so apologies for misquoting in my original post.
 
IDXM
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My advice is to be patient and see if something else pop ups elsewhere or on the forums here. Good luck!
 
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