Hey guys, Condition, yes. Originality though? Does it make a material difference in the value of a piece if key parts are not original to the watch, yet are period correct? Imagine a pristine, never serviced watch compared to one that has been around and had a few parts (hands, dial, bezel, crown, whatever) replaced, though replaced with proper/correct period parts (not different service parts). Assuming condition is similar, does Original one rate higher than original one? Thanks! J
We're not collectors and so I cannot comment on values but in regards to original parts, these watches have undoubtedly gone in for service in the past and it is standard Omega protocol for the seals to be changed with each service. This means the pushers, crowns and crystals have all been replaced and are not the "original" parts the watch came with in 1969 etc.
as long as the replaced parts matches the patina of the original parts then For me it wont affect the value of the watch. But i guess if its "all original" it stl holds a little more premium. But then again if its untouched like u said then its probably due for a service which means chances are some parts might need changing already
Wear and tear parts really are irrelevant, crystal, springbars, seals and if new are indistinguishable from old, pushers not only can be replaced but should. Preserving the dial and movement (by maintaining some level of water and dust resistance) and preserving the whole watch (by replacing springbars and worn out bracelet pins and parts) matter more than having the original yellow coloured gasket on a Constellation.
Thanks gents. So picking up a watch with incorrect hands and the fixing them with period correct ones from ebay for example is perfectly acceptable as long as the outcome is good?
If parts are period correct and consistent in appearance, I don't think there's any way for one to tell if something is not original.
Other than disclosing if/at point of (re)sale? Is that something that should, or needs to, be disclosed?
Perhaps I am being overscrupulous, but "original", when used to mean "as it left the factory" can rarely, if ever, be determined with certainty. I'm satisfied if the various parts that matter are "correct" for the watch and contemporaneously produced.