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Help on US market bumper Omega

A
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Hello all, this is my first time to post here and I am currently considering to purchase a vintage Omega with a cal 344 and 14k gold-filled case by Star Watches Co.

I would like to ask where I can read up on US market Omegas and would appreciate if you could give your thoughts on the validity of this piece.

Here are some of my research:
1) Most of the cal 344s available online were housed in Seamasters. The OVD search results were not limited to Seamasters so this gave me a bit of relief.
2) I read cal 344 was produced around 1953, but the serial number indicates that this piece's movement was produced around 1952.
3) I have not been able to encounter this dial design elsewhere. I've linked thr closest one I could compare with; period lines up around 1950 as well.

Is it also normal for the caseback to not be gold-filled nor have a "14k gold" engravement even if the case is?

Here is the link to the album of the seller:
https://m.imgur.com/a/6H2HPpr

and here is the link for the closest dial/caliber combination I could compare to online, albeit a Seamaster:
https://www.stetzcowatches.com/product/1952-omega-seamaster-2494-7-2657-waffle-dial-steel-36mm/

Thank you very much.
 
Maskelyne
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Besides the "pitting" on the caseback, the watch seems to be in good condition. I am not so familiar with these cases but the dial seems to be in excellent condition. What´s the size of the case? And how much is asked for the watch?

It is normal with a steel caseback when the case is gold filled. Here is picture of a Seamaster (gold capped) with a steel back...

Omega-Seamaster-Automatic-ref,-2627-10SC-bumperbaksida.jpg
 
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Maskelyne Maskelyne
Besides the "pitting" on the caseback, the watch seems to be in good condition. I am not so familiar with these cases but the dial seems to be in excellent condition. What´s the size of the case? And how much is asked for the watch?

It is normal with a steel caseback when the case is gold filled. Here is picture of a Seamaster (gold capped) with a steel back...

Omega-Seamaster-Automatic-ref,-2627-10SC-bumperbaksida.jpg
Thanks for your asistance. Right, I forgot to ask about the "damage/pitting" on the caseback.

I did not ask for the specifications, how important would that be given that this was a locally made case? I was thinking I could not benchmark it against other available references.

The seller and I were able to agree on $750.
 
padders
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I don't think that is gold filled, it looks plated to me and its a bit hard to tell but it looks like the plate has gone in a few places, particularly one lug (top opposite crown) where brassing is very evident. If my suspicions are correct then this isn't actually in very good condition, though the dial is undeniably nice. Why does the seller think it is 14K gold filled? If it doesn't say so on the case then he is likely just guessing: gold filled wouldn't wear through like that. and the inside of the case would be bare steel rather than gold colour.

The damage on the back is Nato rash.

I have circled the areas I think are plate damage AKA brassing:

69F5UAT.jpg
Edited:
 
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padders padders
I don't think that is gold filled, it looks plated to me and its a bit hard to tell but it looks like the plate has gone in a few places, particularly one lug (top opposite crown) where brassing is very evident. If my suspicions are correct then this isn't actually in very good condition, though the dial is undeniably nice. Why does the seller think it is 14K gold filled? If it doesn't say so on the case then he is likely just guessing: gold filled wouldn't wear through like that. and the inside of the case would be bare steel rather than gold colour.

The damage on the back is Nato rash.

I have circled the areas I think are plate damage AKA brassing:

View attachment 1041975
There appears to be an accompanying video:

Were you pertaining to the brassing on the 0:16 mark? Do you think the chip exposes it being gold plated?
 
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A asul08
There appears to be an accompanying video:

Were you pertaining to the brassing on the 0:16 mark? Do you think the chip exposes it being gold plated?
Sorry, my bad, I didn't see you had an attached picture for the brassing.
 
Maskelyne
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padders padders
I don't think that is gold filled, it looks plated to me and its a bit hard to tell but it looks like the plate has gone in a few places, particularly one lug (top opposite crown) where brassing is very evident. If my suspicions are correct then this isn't actually in very good condition, though the dial is undeniably nice. Why does the seller think it is 14K gold filled? If it doesn't say so on the case then he is likely just guessing: gold filled wouldn't wear through like that. and the inside of the case would be bare steel rather than gold colour.

The damage on the back is Nato rash.

I have circled the areas I think are plate damage AKA brassing:

69F5UAT.jpg

I agree with you, some damages and it´s plated. I post an enhanced picture of the caseback. I stand corrected, the case is not in good conditon.

Worn-lugs.jpg Back.jpg
Edited:
 
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Thank you, padders and Maskelyne. I simply passed it off as lighting; now I know I have to scrutinize these carefully. Greatly appreciate your advices.
 
Maskelyne
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A asul08
Thank you, padders and Maskelyne. I simply passed it off as lighting; now I know I have to scrutinize these carefully. Greatly appreciate your advices.

I wouldn´t hesitate to wear it and buy it at a fair price. The damages are not so severe in my opinion. I love these waffle dials. It looks like a 34 mm case but I am not sure.
 
janice&fred
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Maskelyne Maskelyne
I wouldn´t hesitate to wear it and buy it at a fair price
Neither would I. Padders has a sharp eye so perhaps that might be a good negotiating tact, but that dial is to die for! If I got that watch for the right price I would have the movement serviced and while the watch was apart get that case replated. I don't know about the OP's locale but in Manhattan there are loads of expert jewelry re-platers and they are quite reasonable. However right now the price of gold is very high.
 
ConElPueblo
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Gold filled and solid gold watches will be gold coloured all over, capped will have steel caseback and steel visible on the rear of the lugs and plated watches will have gold covering all of the case and leave the caseback steel.
 
DaveK
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@asul08 in future posts, please include photos of the watch in question instead of just links

good luck with you hunt 👍
 
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janice&fred janice&fred
Neither would I. Padders has a sharp eye so perhaps that might be a good negotiating tact, but that dial is to die for! If I got that watch for the right price I would have the movement serviced and while the watch was apart get that case replated. I don't know about the OP's locale but in Manhattan there are loads of expert jewelry re-platers and they are quite reasonable. However right now the price of gold is very high.
I'm from the Philippines, is replating a vintage watch recommended? How does it affect the resale value?
 
janice&fred
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A asul08
I'm from the Philippines, is replating a vintage watch recommended? How does it affect the resale value?

Well lookie here! I lived and worked in Cebu City for 15 years and just returned to the USA around a year ago.

Asa ka?
 
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ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
Gold filled and solid gold watches will be gold coloured all over, capped will have steel caseback and steel visible on the rear of the lugs and plated watches will have gold covering all of the case and leave the caseback steel.
Should there also be an accompanying engravement/stamp saying if it is gold-filled or solid gold?
 
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DaveK DaveK
@asul08 in future posts, please include photos of the watch in question instead of just links

good luck with you hunt 👍
Thank you, I will the next time around.
 
A
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janice&fred janice&fred
Well lookie here! I lived and worked in Cebu City for 15 years and just returned to the USA around a year ago.

Asa ka?
Oh, that's cool! I live in Manila. This would be my 2nd watch purchase so I really appreciate everyone's help.
 
janice&fred
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There are quite a few very good shops in Manila. I have mainly dealt with Danny So but he might be a bit expensive and not necessary for a simple Omega service. Try asking pongster on this forum who he suggests. I have also dealt with Mang Andy and Mang Loy in Manila as well but pongster lives in Manila and will be up on who is currently popular there.
 
A
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janice&fred janice&fred
There are quite a few very good shops in Manila. I have mainly dealt with Danny So but he might be a bit expensive and not necessary for a simple Omega service. Try asking pongster on this forum who he suggests. I have also dealt with Mang Andy and Mang Loy in Manila as well but pongster lives in Manila and will be up on who is currently popular there.
I was actually in touch with Mang Loy for him to check my 1st watch but the pandemic happened.

If ever, I think I will only proceed with a service check and not go through with the replating.
 
janice&fred
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A asul08
I was actually in touch with Mang Loy for him to check my 1st watch but the pandemic happened.

If ever, I think I will only proceed with a service check and not go through with the replating.

Yes the pandemic has really turned those islands into a disrupted panic zone. Cebu island is very hard hit and the lock down requirements keep changing constantly. The whole notion of one pass per household and inter-city travel restrictions in Cebu is causing terrible hardships.

Yes I always feel the less restoration work on a vintage watch the better, so your plan of simply attending to the movement is smart. That watch has an excellent dial design and will be a great piece for your collection.
 
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