First time vintage buyer

bigputts · Oct 29, 2020

Hi all, just joined the forum as after having a look through there seems to be an amazing knowledge living here. I’ve been looking to buy a vintage Omega that I can use as a dress watch for special occasions, have a pretty standard Seiko to cover when I dress up smart for work etc but I’d like to get something special for when I’m really making an effort and these Omegas just have so much more character than modern dress watches in my budget which feel a bit soulless to me. My top end budget is probably £1,000 but ideally I’d like to spend more like £500-£600. I’m after something gold plated/filled, 35mm+ with indices and dauphine style hands (I may well be being too specific here) is it realistic to get something half decent for my budget? I’ve been looking around ebay and seen a couple with the reference 166.0202 that I like the style of (links below) but I’m very wary of buying anything with my level of knowledge and it seems like a potential minefield on there. I know I won’t get a top end collectors piece with my budget and I can probably live with and incorrect crown or a polished case, it’s not something I’d ever be looking to sell, but I want to be sure that it’s a legit Omega obviously. Any thoughts on the two in the links? Not quite the style of hands I’m after but other than that I like the look of them. I presume one or both are repainted dials as I’m sure they should look the same if they are the same model?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superb-V...utomatic-166-0202-From-early-70s/254758089350

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Superb-V...matic-166-0202-Cal1012-From-1976/124401801237

Thanks for the help
James

Rudi99 · Oct 29, 2020

Hi James, welcome to the forum.

Please post pictures, not links! That helps the people who might help you.

Best

Rudi

lindo · Oct 29, 2020

They are not the same model, but both appear to have the calibre 1012 movement, which collectors tend to shy away from. Read more here http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//Movement4.pdf, then read the earlier movement essays in the same blog.

You are right about the minefield. Many sellers on eBay and retailers of vintage watches have absurdly high prices, combined with strange inability to notice redials, over polished cases (often claimed to be 'mint' or NOS), and other little peccadilloes.

Nonetheless, after reading as much as you can here to work out what to look for, you can still find nice things in your price range. For example, I paid less than £1,000 for this gold capped Constellation from a Japanese seller on eBay. It had its original Omega band with almost no wear, but would have been even cheaper with a leather band.

Good luck - and show us when you make your first purchase.

bigputts · Oct 29, 2020

Rudi99
Hi James, welcome to the forum.

Please post pictures, not links! That helps the people who might help you.

Best

Rudi

Thanks Rudi 😀

Apologies for posting links pictures of watch 1 below

bigputts · Oct 29, 2020

Watch 2

bigputts · Oct 29, 2020

lindo
They are not the same model, but both appear to have the calibre 1012 movement, which collectors tend to shy away from. Read more here http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//Movement4.pdf, then read the earlier movement essays in the same blog.

You are right about the minefield. Many sellers on eBay and retailers of vintage watches have absurdly high prices, combined with strange inability to notice redials, over polished cases (often claimed to be 'mint' or NOS), and other little peccadilloes.

Nonetheless, after reading as much as you can here to work out what to look for, you can still find nice things in your price range. For example, I paid less than £1,000 for this gold capped Constellation from a Japanese seller on eBay. It had its original Omega band with almost no wear, but would have been even cheaper with a leather band.

Good luck - and show us when you make your first purchase.

Thanks Lindo, perhaps I'll try and steer away from this movement then. Your Constellation there is abslutely stunning, hope I can find something like that.

X350 XJR · Oct 29, 2020

B bigputts
Thanks Rudi 😀

Apologies for posting links pictures of watch 1 below

Heavily polished case, mediocre watch tarted up for resale.

X350 XJR · Oct 29, 2020

B bigputts
Watch 2

Very worn case, not worth a second look.

Nepomuceño · Oct 29, 2020

B bigputts
My top end budget is probably £1,000 but ideally I’d like to spend more like £500-£600

Take a look at the private sales thread 👍 you can definitely pick up something nice there rather than eBay.

Dan S · Oct 29, 2020

No offense, but based on a quick peek, I really can't work up enough enthusiasm to look closely at those watches. I suggest that you spend some time reading threads and looking at photos on OF and you will soon develop an eye for examples that are more desirable.

bigputts · Oct 29, 2020

Thanks for the advice everyone, sounds as though I’ve got a lot more homework to do before I can spend of my hard earned cash. I’ll get right to it

Winston_Smith · Oct 29, 2020

I've been there, too, and am still not too far. Patience and constant learning are the key 😀

First time vintage buyer

bigputts

Rudi99

lindo

bigputts

bigputts

bigputts

X350 XJR

X350 XJR

Nepomuceño

Dan S

bigputts

Winston_Smith

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