Help choosing

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watchingout

·Jan 26, 2025

Hi everyone,

I posted a thread the other day asking about two watches - as ive continued looking I’ve realised they were bad quality- so I’ve upped my budget and come across two watches I’m stuck between.

The first is a Omega Seamaster - Ref 166.037 - Steel Vintage Wristwatch - circa 1969.
Currently bidding but I’d be willing to pay around £750.

The second is Vintage Omega Seamaster Mens Automatic Watch 14700 61 SC cal.552.
I’ve been sent a buy it now offer of £735, but I’m struggling to find info as the model isn’t showing on chrono24.

Any advice/help would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

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Porteroso

·Jan 26, 2025

Is the second a gold plated case?

I'd go with the first, myself, though black dials are so cool.

 

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watchingout

·Jan 26, 2025

Thanks for the opinion- I am swaying to the first myself, as it’s bidding I’ll have to try my luck.
If not I won’t be disappointed with the second.

It is indeed the gold plated case, I also love the black dial, I currently have a Tudor royal with the black face so it would be nice to have something a bit different.

Thanks

 

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S.H.

·Jan 26, 2025

Both watches make me uncomfortable: wrong crowns, priced high and I'm not convinced of the originality of the dials. They look like 2nd choice dealers watches to me.

You may land a better watch from a member here by posting a WTB... just hang around until 200 posts. This way you will learn a lot about vintage and not be easily burned by buying iffy watches.

 

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osterman

·Jan 26, 2025

I am not sure about the crown and originality of the dial for both.
If I had to chose, the first one.

 

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cristos71

·Jan 26, 2025

1st I'd say is definitely a redial
2nd I'd say also a redial as black 14700/14701's are AFAIK always gloss and gilt

Edited: Jan 26, 2025

 

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watchingout

·Jan 26, 2025

Thanks very much for the valuable info,

Slightly disheartened as I’d tried to pick two that I thought were good! But I’m glad I asked the question.

I’ll continue my hunt but I’m starting to think there is a high number of redial or non original watches around. I had checked chrono but found the prices to be rather high for fairly average condition watches.

Thanks again!

 

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SOG53

·Jan 26, 2025

Being 0 for 2 is not bad at this stage, and it hasnt cost you anything! Be patient, watch the Recommended Ebay listings for vetted listings, and look in Private Watch Sales for watches listed by OF member collectors.

 

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Spruce

·Jan 26, 2025·Sunburst dial fan

Currently in 'Watches for Sale'

 

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Davidt

·Jan 26, 2025

First is certainly a redial.

Second, I can’t tell on my phone with those pictures.

 

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o.m.e.g.a

·Jan 27, 2025

Guys ... I beg you - if you think it's a redial PLEASE say WHY you think so!

 

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Davidt

·Jan 27, 2025

o.m.e.g.a

Guys ... I beg you - if you think it's a redial PLEASE say WHY you think so!

You’ll almost always get the same answers;
The print quality isn’t high enough
It lacks serifs
The font is wrong
The minute hashes aren’t spaced correctly
The font is too thick.

There’s no shortcut to learning to spot redials. You have to put in hours of work and research comparing original to refinished dials to get your eye in. Took me over a year to get anywhere near to spotting them

 

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JimInOz

·Jan 27, 2025·Melbourne Australia

W watchingout

Hi everyone,

Hi,

Any chance at all that you can be bothered to use the crop function on your phone to post decent images?

I then may be bothered to answer.

 

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cristos71

·Jan 27, 2025

o.m.e.g.a

Guys ... I beg you - if you think it's a redial PLEASE say WHY you think so!

You have to realise as David says it's always the same reasons, so explaining that time and time again gets very repetitive (and boring to do) for the guys that regularly answer these queries.

There is so much info to be found on this forum that it should be quite easy these days for noobs to do some of their own legwork and research about what is/isn't legit.

Knowledge is key and and the acquirement of it is vital if one wants to play in the vintage universe.

 

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Scarecrow Boat

·Jan 27, 2025·Burt Macklin, FBI

JimInOz

Any chance at all that you can be bothered to use the crop function

So far, @Dan S has my all time favorite reply to someone else using quite distant pics 😂