Community Stories

First purchase help on Omega Seamaster de Ville 166.020

BenBagbag
Posts
2,835
Likes
9,176
@Candle00 Fun username fun picture.Welcome!

Candle00 Candle00
I've spoken with the seller and he's happy to provide a copy of when the watch was serviced including the date.

I would find out who serviced it. Hopefully it is someone independent because if it is someone in house who knows how little can be done. I certainly wouldn't just accept a piece of paper with a date on it.
 
Davidt
Posts
12,142
Likes
21,072
Candle00 Candle00
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.

Overhauled, serviced - what's the difference?
Even if overhauled includes polishing/dial refinishing etc, it should still include a service.

Sounds like bollocks to me. Either it's serviced and he has proof or it isn't.
Edited:
 
lillatroll
Posts
2,744
Likes
4,340
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.
Totally agree.
Rule number one: buy the seller.
Rule number two: A watch without paperwork; get it serviced.
 
Shabbaz
Posts
4,965
Likes
18,429
£ 500 is not a ridiculous price for a SMDV considering the fact it could have been serviced. It's a unishell case which means you can only reach the movement by removing the crown and plexi. You have to have some skills and tools to do this. Full service of the movement means the movement was completely disassembled, ultrasonically cleaned and then reassembled. Then it should be subjected to a time test to assure accuracy before delivery. The movement looks clean so it's possible the seller tells the truth. You have to take a look if the watch starts running after movement and if it has a good power reserve. If yes.. why not buy it if you like it.. you have warranty right? anyway, good luck!
 
Edward53
Posts
3,133
Likes
5,560
Shabbaz Shabbaz
£ 500 is not a ridiculous price for a SMDV considering the fact it could have been serviced. It's a unishell case which means you can only reach the movement by removing the crown and plexi. You have to have some skills and tools to do this. Full service of the movement means the movement was completely disassembled, ultrasonically cleaned and then reassembled. Then it should be subjected to a time test to assure accuracy before delivery. The movement looks clean so it's possible the seller tells the truth. You have to take a look if the watch starts running after movement and if it has a good power reserve. If yes.. why not buy it if you like it.. you have warranty right? anyway, good luck!

"Could have been serviced" is meaningless, so is whether it starts running or its power reserve. Unless the seller is a close personal friend of yours, no proof of service = assume no service, end of.
 
Edward53
Posts
3,133
Likes
5,560
dan7800 dan7800
I could get a date with Scarlett Johanson tonight.

Well I don't know how you're going to manage that as I'm meeting her in 45 minutes. Just changing my underwear now, on the off chance...
 
Archer
Posts
28,192
Likes
72,188
BenBagbag BenBagbag
I would find out who serviced it. Hopefully it is someone independent because if it is someone in house who knows how little can be done. I certainly wouldn't just accept a piece of paper with a date on it.

Serviced by the dealer is a tricky one I agree. Although I'm sure there are some who do a full and proper service, given the value of this watch and the relatively high cost of some of the parts that often need replacing in these movements, I would take a dealer service with a grain of salt. Having serviced hundreds of this movement family, and knowing that vintage parts tend to be more expensive than modern parts, it's not difficult or unusual to replace enough parts to end up with the service being more than the watch is actually worth.

Generally speaking, as the dealer you would know what the watch is likely going to sell for, and as the service is being done you know that every part you replace is going to cut into your profits. So I believe the temptation would be to let some things go that otherwise would be replaced. I've serviced some "dealer serviced" watches that clearly didn't have worn parts inside replaced as they should have been, so I ended up having to replace them.

Proceed with caution would be my advice.

Cheers, Al
 
Candle00
Posts
347
Likes
1,075
Hi all,

I've decided to withdraw my interest and will be patient. I'm going to hold out for this model with a black dial 😉 Thanks for all your advice. Terrific community!
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

R

Help with Omega Seamaster De Ville crown and case material please

rollonin Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
masteroftime
masteroftime
Posts
10
Views
2K
cristos71

Seamaster De Ville - 166.020 - Black Gloss and Gilt

cristos71 Private Watch Sales
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
5
Views
8K
C

Omega Seamaster De Ville - original or Franken ?

Carthus Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
13
Views
4K
Sermoor

Help on Omega Seamaster ref. 165.002

Sermoor Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Spruce
Spruce
Posts
5
Views
3K
I

Help with vintage Omega Seamaster De Ville 165.020

iamghost Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
I
iamghost
Posts
0
Views
3K
cristos71

Omega Seamaster De Ville 166.020 - Black Gloss and Gilt

cristos71 Private Watch Sales
cristos71
cristos71
Posts
8
Views
7K