So....I'm about to pull the trigger on this Mark II speedmaster from 1970, but I just wanted to check that it all looked ok before I do. The photos are as it is now, but it's going to be serviced and have the case refinished before I receive it. What do you think?
good looking dial! don't you want to wait until you see it in person before the case is refinished? You can decide to refinish after, but you will not be able to undo the refinish job...
I agree actually, I've just had mine re finished but it was far worse than your case and the removed metal can't be put back remember Looks good though whatever you do
I can't see the watch as it's an online purchase/ They say it will be services and the case refurbished back to factory standards. So it will look like it's just come from omega. Not sure whether to believe them or not.
can you ask for an "as is" price and if the difference is roughly the same as a full service at a trusted watchmaker you can decide once its on hand nice watch BTW
I would not agree to buy a watch from a seller I did not know only to have them alter the actual watch before sending it to me. As Palatine says, ask them to sell you as is. You can't really tell how much of the case has been polished thus far.
large red flags should be waving front and center: better to have this work done by a known and trusted watchmaker.
They said it would still be full price even if they didn't service or refurbish it. I've asked about the refurbishment process to see exactly how they do it. I'm waiting for them to get back to me.
Too many red flags for me. Why wouldn't they have serviced it and refinished the case then present it for sale. Especially if they are going to charge the same amount. Doesn't add up. There will be others and probably in better condition too. Keep hunting.
Where is the watch coming from? That might make a difference. Whilst 1500 is fair for a racing dial mark II, you really need to see the movement before you buy as well. I'm not sure the bracelet is a match for the 154 ends either. Revising and refurbing the watch to the original "brushed" finish would come to at least another 500 pounds...Then the market value of a Mark II racing dial would probably be closer to 2100-2300. And of course as others have often said, refurbishing can often take away too much metal and ruin the lines of the watch if it isn't done properly. I'd say hold off , up the price you're willing to pay to 1750 (for a standard dial) 1900 (racing) and you should be able to get a really good original example that has been recently revised and good to go....Best of luck.
To judge the case condition of a Mark II (or IV/4.5 for that matter), always ask for a picture showing the lugs head on. Only then you can tell how much material is left on the case from possible earlier refinish jobs. You will quite often find that otherwise good looking Mark models will show lugs that have been ground down to the point where there is practically zero thickness left in the lug corners, preventing any future refinishing.
So your seller is effectively saying that he will refinish the case to OEM standard and service the movement at zero cost?? I'm suspecting that a perfectly decent watch is just about to be destroyed.