Hi all! Opinions about inherited Seamaster?

Hello everyone. I'm new to this site, and totally ignorant about watches. I recently came across a box of stuff I inherited after my mom and dad passed, and found 2 men's watches I had forgotten about. I was hoping you might be able to offer some information/opinions about this Seamaster DeVille.

In the 60s my dad managed a printing plant in Mexico City, and the employees gave him the watch. I believe the inscription on the back says (19)64. I realize I need to have the back taken off to get a serial number, but the darn thing seems to keep excellent time, so I'm not dying to spend money on it unnecessarily.

I do not know how much my dad wore this watch, so I have no idea how much work was done to it. He was not the kind of guy whom I would have expected to have paid a lot to maintain a watch, tho. No idea if the band is original. From what little I gather from what I've read here, that does not look like an original crown. Heck, for all I know, the whole thing could be a cheap knock-off!

Any thoughts on what it might be worth? Since it was my dad's, I don't plan on selling it. But if it is a cheap watch, I might not wish to put too much money in it should it stop working. My bet is that it wouldn't have been too terribly pricey. Any way to tell if it is 14k vs plate?

Finally, sorry I'm so lousy at taking photos. I couldn't figure out how to avoid the glare and shadows. Let me know if any additional photos would help.

BTW, the other watch is a nice (IMO) rectangular Lord Elgin, also in fine working order. Was a nice surprise to unexpectedly have 2 nice, sentimental vintage wristwatches!

Hello everyone. I'm new to this site, and totally ignorant about watches. I recently came across a box of stuff I inherited after my mom and dad passed, and found 2 men's watches I had forgotten about. I was hoping you might be able to offer some information/opinions about this Seamaster DeVille.

In the 60s my dad managed a printing plant in Mexico City, and the employees gave him the watch. I believe the inscription on the back says (19)64. I realize I need to have the back taken off to get a serial number, but the darn thing seems to keep excellent time, so I'm not dying to spend money on it unnecessarily.

I do not know how much my dad wore this watch, so I have no idea how much work was done to it. He was not the kind of guy whom I would have expected to have paid a lot to maintain a watch, tho. No idea if the band is original. From what little I gather from what I've read here, that does not look like an original crown. Heck, for all I know, the whole thing could be a cheap knock-off!

Any thoughts on what it might be worth? Since it was my dad's, I don't plan on selling it. But if it is a cheap watch, I might not wish to put too much money in it should it stop working. My bet is that it wouldn't have been too terribly pricey. Any way to tell if it is 14k vs plate?

Finally, sorry I'm so lousy at taking photos. I couldn't figure out how to avoid the glare and shadows. Let me know if any additional photos would help.

BTW, the other watch is a nice (IMO) rectangular Lord Elgin, also in fine working order. Was a nice surprise to unexpectedly have 2 nice, sentimental vintage wristwatches!

Spend the money to get it serviced and the crown replaced with a correct one; it's a nice watch. It's a nice watch and a better keepsake. I think it's stainless but can't tell for sure, from your photos.

Man, what an idiot! Looking at the pics I just saw that the links of the band say Spiedel - so obviously a cheapie.

What is the value of having it serviced if it seems to keep really good time?

Does the incorrect crown indicate my dad had it replaced? Or maybe the watch was used when it was given to him? The only watches I ever remember him wearing were Timexes or Seikos.

I've never seen one of these thick lugged Seamasters with 'De Ville' on the dial, but thenagain I'm far from being a Seamaster expert, someone more knowledgable will chip in.

I do like these thick lugged Seamasters though.

A correct crown an a service should set you back about €200.

The crown was likely replaced during a service
That's actually a good point. Neither have I. I just checked OVD and couldn't find one in the photos. I guess the only way to know for sure it to get the reference number.