Help with Seamaster DeVille in 18k yellow gold before purchasing

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Good morning!

Have the opportunity to pick up an 18k Seamaster DeVille tomorrow. Was able to take some pics today and do a little research before purchasing. Was hoping to get everyone’s input concerning authenticity, condition, etc.

Cal. 500, GX6560, ref. 27140.

Caseback tests for 18k gold on the Kee gold tester

Because I work in the gold business, the price is dependent on the weight of the gold. Anyone have a rough estimate of gold weight? Caseback weighs ~8.3gs by itself. I’d wager around 18-20gs?

This will be a personal watch, I’ll be paying a premium over the gold weight so I’m just trying to see where I can start negotiation wise.

Any help appreciated!

Thanks as always, love browsing the forums


 
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I would not be buying this watch for it's Omega originality/collectability.

The dial has had some previous corrosion damage and an attempt to repair it has stripped the original finish, it was then poorly re-printed (re-dialed) with incorrect fonts and no markers.

The movement is worn as seen by the rotor rubbing on the caseback, what other issues there are would need to be investigated.

The 18 carat gold case was made for the US Omega agent (Norman Morris Corp) Lutringer & Kammerer Inc. 36-01 43rd Ave Long Island City NY.

As I see it, the price of gold ATM has probably determined the fate of this one.
 
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I would not be buying this watch for it's Omega originality/collectability.

The dial has had some previous corrosion damage and an attempt to repair it has stripped the original finish, it was then poorly re-printed (re-dialed) with incorrect fonts and no markers.

The movement is worn as seen by the rotor rubbing on the caseback, what other issues there are would need to be investigated.

The 18 carat gold case was made for the US Omega agent (Norman Morris Corp) Lutringer & Kammerer Inc. 36-01 43rd Ave Long Island City NY.

As I see it, the price of gold ATM has probably determined the fate of this one.
This.

And I’d expect the total gold weight to be below 18g.
 
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I’m a bit more optimistic on gold weight. The fat lugs are very heavily built. I know of one example which was a Swiss cased 2846 which came in at over 22g total gold. That one too had a 8g caseback. As noted above, this example is not worth a premium over the considerable gold value.
 
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The dials on the Seamaster DeLuxe models are a bit of an anomaly - at first glance I would tend to agree with JiminOz that the dial appears to be refinished as the font looks as though it was done by hand but if you compare it to other examples, I think it might be original.

 
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But no minute markers? And the dial is a mess IMO.
 
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But no minute markers?
Not necessarily a sign of a refinished dial:

I agree with @padders comments re: the weight and value of the watch.
 
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The dials on the Seamaster DeLuxe models are a bit of an anomaly - at first glance I would tend to agree with JiminOz that the dial appears to be refinished as the font looks as though it was done by hand but if you compare it to other examples, I think it might be original.

The "Seamaster De Luxe" script in OP's look identical to the above to me. No expert, but I would guess it is original.
 
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I’d have said slam dunk redial but as you say the post above showing similar models is suggestive of originality and Norman Morris quirkiness.
 
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I suspect the rotor and the automatic bridge was replaced. The caseback rubbing would have been by the rotor which bares no marks. The bridge is a different tone of plating compared to the rest of the movement which tells me it’s original but from a different watch.
 
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My initial feeling was also that it’s a 100% redial but perhaps not. Ultimately I don’t think it matters. As a watch it’s a dog and I wouldn’t buy it.
 
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My initial feeling was also that it’s a 100% redial but perhaps not. Ultimately I don’t think it matters. As a watch it’s a dog and I wouldn’t buy it.
I have to agree. Regardless of a redial or not, the dial has been punished and the case smashed by a loose rotor.

Look for another
 
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Funny how people are different. I think the dial’s kind of cool. Although,the bar isn’t set too high given mine (see attached). The engraving bothers me more. Like someone haunting me if I wear it.

 
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Funny how people are different. I think the dial’s kind of cool. Although,the bar isn’t set too high given mine (see attached). The engraving bothers me more. Like someone haunting me if I wear it.


I’m ok with your dial. It’s linen and has character. The one OP posted looks as if someone has been throwing rocks at it for years.
 
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The dials on the Seamaster DeLuxe models are a bit of an anomaly - at first glance I would tend to agree with JiminOz that the dial appears to be refinished as the font looks as though it was done by hand but if you compare it to other examples, I think it might be original.

Amazing, I would never have guessed.