Funny looking damaged dial on vintage Seamaster - worth bidding?

Hello all, I would like to ask you expert guys for an advice regarding this upcoming auction. What do you think about this vintage Seamaster with such a damaged funny looking dial...? Is it worth bidding? Have you seen such a damage of the dial, can it be due to humidity or sunlight or so? 🤔 I kinda like the funny pattern 😀 but I'm concerned about the state of the movement.

The seller doesn't know the caliber/reference number and claims his watchmaker doesn't have the tool necessary for opening the case... sounds like a poor excuse. Anyway he claims the watch is running well, plus there's a 14 days return possibility.

More photos here: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Omega-Seamas...389051?hash=item1ebb5c05bb:g:fzUAAOSwKOJYGzSH

I will appreciate any comments!

It has the measles. 😜 These type of spotted / aged dials (called Kyle Dials because we have a moderator named Kyle who loves them, or sometimes Kytina as in a hybrid of Kyle and patina) are somewhat common and an acquired taste.

And the auction appears to be gone.

Thank you for the comments, yes I got the point. I haven't worn a watch in about 15 years and I'd like to start wearing some affordable vintage automatic one (in love with Seamaster and Geneve pieces in steel). Obvivously my budget is limited but I'll be better off going for some well preserved piece from a reliable seller. 😀

Thanks, regards,
m.

Hello and welcome to the forums! Glad to hear you will give some thought as to what you'd like to buy.

There are several factors in deciding what watch you'd like to wear, and I'll pose them to you as questions:

1) Your budget - how much are you willing to spend on the watch? You will also need to factor in the service cost (if the watch is not serviced) and any parts that may need replacing. If the watch comes by itself with no strap, that is another cost to add on. You may also want to get a strap removal tool (which aren't too expensive) if you go down that path.

2) Size - is there a certain diameter you want your watch to be? Sometimes when you buy a good looking watch on eBay, it turns out to be smaller than what you thought it was! Make sure to check the widths and lug size, and measure your wrist to see if the watch will look good to wear.

3) Cosmetics - Yes you like steel; what about the dial and hand combinations? The case type? Sub-seconds or sweep? Arabic, Roman or no numerals?

4) Condition - always always always consider the condition of the watch. A well priced example that is in great/excellent condition will always be more worth it in the long run than a poor, beat up example that was inexpensive. Hold off on the temptation of impulse buying simply because it is cheap!

5) Usage - is the watch going to be an everyday wearer, or will it only come out on special occasions? It is advisable to keep vintage watches out of the rain or water (unless they have been pressure tested and confirmed to be water resistant, which usually involves changing and oiling of gaskets, seals, pushers, crowns, stems etc.)

I like the patina. I have a Tissot with a same "damaged" style dial. Some collectors like it some don't. It is most likely caused by a combination of sun, humidity, and cigarette smoke!

WARNING: Cigarette smoke can be hazardous to your wrist watch but might make your watch dial look interesting!

WARNING: If a watchmaker doesn't have the tools to open your watch a watchmaker replacement is in order!

Make a reasonable offer with consideration to all the issues.

Thank you all once again for the feedback! GuiltyBoomerang thank you very much for the list of factors to consider, that's really helpful!

I skipped that eBay auction. At the end it was sold for 250 € which actually is not cheap bearing in mind all the questions surrounding the watch, as Tony C. wrote.

I am really glad I found this forum, it's a great source of information! 👍

Btw I actually do own one Omega watch already, it's a heritage pocket watch 😀 And now it's time for me to find some nice vintage wrist watch 😉

Regards from Germany,
m.