Help on an Omega Genève

RubenDhae · Jul 4, 2020

Hello everybody

I'm looking for my first vintage watch ever (how exciting!!) and came across this piece. It's offered by a local watch dealer so I will check it in person in a few weeks. The watch has, according to the seller, been checked by a watchmaker recently.

Anything negative on this watch (apart from the crown, which seems to be a replacement)? The price is 450 eur including 1 year guarantee. I believe that I would able ti get it for 400 eur, if I try my best.

Thanks for all your advise, opinion and remarks.
Ruben

X350 XJR · Jul 4, 2020

The case is very worn, the gold plating is NOT in great condition, only worth about half of the asking price if that and only because it has a nice dial.

Sherbie · Jul 4, 2020

As above ^

Save your money for something better

Spruce · Jul 5, 2020

Compare prices on eBay. Enter 'Men’s Omega Geneve', then click on 'sold/completed' boxes for a current price guide.

Omega fans are now starting to appreciate these models and although you could probably get an automatic for the price you’ve quoted, you’re going to end up paying a premium for a nice watch.

As @X350 XJR says, the dial is nice, also the hands are good and the movement looks okay (and cal 601 is a reliable movement) and you’re offered a 12 month guarantee (if it’s a reliable seller).

So, IMHO, you’d be doing incredibly well to get anything for half the price.

This Is an identical 601 watch to yours, although the case is in slightly better condition (the markings on it are light/shadow/reflection) and I was lucky to get it for £200 in 2018.

This is a 552 movement and I paid £325 for in 2019.

Good luck.

loniscup · Jul 5, 2020

Be patient, you will find a better one in that price point

Davidt · Jul 5, 2020

It's a watch that's not hugely desirable, especially in gold plate and even more so in very average condition.

I'd keep looking even at half the price

killer67 · Jul 5, 2020

Plenty of these out there keep searching for a better one

OllieOnTheRocks · Jul 5, 2020

I would consider not getting gold plate and going for either steel or solid gold - only go gold plaque route if you really want gold but don’t want to pay the premium. I sold all my gold plaque watches a few years ago as they are more vulnerable to damage and subsequently could go down in value. That said I would consider a perfect gold plate watch again, which this one is not. Also is this the actual design you want? I can’t imagine this 1970s aesthetic is very desirable for if you wanted to shift it afterwards, unless you love the look and it’s just what are are after consider looking for an earlier Geneve.

Maskelyne · Jul 5, 2020

I agree, look for a better one.

Spruce · Jul 5, 2020

OllieOnTheRocks
.......... Also is this the actual design you want? I can’t imagine this 1970s aesthetic is very desirable for if you wanted to shift it afterwards, unless you love the look and it’s just what are are after consider looking for an earlier Geneve.

I agree with much of your post but, in recent years, men’s wrists have increased in size and current fashions have created a demand for 38-44cm watches to the extent that a vintage watch with a 34-34.5cm diameter can appear undersized, much as a 32-33cm vintage would appear now.

Of course it depends on your wrist size but, in my view, the larger lugs on this design make the same 34.5 diameter watch look larger, and therefore more contemporary, on the average man’s wrist.

OllieOnTheRocks · Jul 5, 2020

Spruce
I agree with much of your post but, in recent years, men’s wrists have increased in size and current fashions have created a demand for 38-44cm watches to the extent that a vintage watch with a 34-34.5cm diameter can appear undersized, much as a 32-33cm vintage would appear now.

Of course it depends on your wrist size but, in my view, the larger lugs on this design make the same 34.5 diameter watch look larger, and therefore more contemporary, on the average man’s wrist.

I don’t think people buy vintage watches to look contemporary but perhaps I’m wrong. I think size can only be appreciated by the individual. I have 33mm watches and 38mm watches I like all sizes anything within this range, with a preference for the smaller ones for fancy occasions and the larger ones for casual occasions. That said I have Geneves from the 1950s that are 36mm as well as a 30T2 from 1940s which is 38mm so there is scope for finding bigger sizes if this is important to the buyer. I have 6 3/4 wrists if this helps the OP at all:

33mm

34mm

36mm

38mm

Spruce · Jul 5, 2020

OllieOnTheRocks
I don’t think people buy vintage watches to look contemporary but perhaps I’m wrong. I think size can only be appreciated by the individual. I have 33mm watches and 38mm watches I like all sizes anything within this range, with a preference for the smaller ones for fancy occasions and the larger ones for casual occasions. That said I have Geneves from the 1950s that are 36mm as well as a 30T2 from 1940s which is 38mm so there is scope for finding bigger sizes if this is important to the buyer. I have 6 3/4 wrists if this helps the OP at all:

33mm

34mm

36mm

38mm

Thanks, nice pics. I too have a small wrist but I find that the 33-34 watches look too small on my wrist for my taste😀

Help on an Omega Genève

RubenDhae

X350 XJR

Sherbie

Spruce

loniscup

Davidt

killer67

OllieOnTheRocks

Maskelyne

Spruce

OllieOnTheRocks

Spruce

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