How to value (or sell) an Omega Seamaster

Sebastianwoods · Dec 20, 2024

Greetings, I got helpful advice here a while back on restoring my family Omega Seamaster. I went to Chronotek who did a wonderful job. It works perfectly and they replaced some parts but left the (cleaned up) exterior in vintage condition.
I am exploring whether to sell the watch. I wonder if someone can suggest how on earth you get a fair valuation, given the huge range of prices listed for apparently similar watches. Also, whether there is a tried and tested place to post a 'For sale' -- a place frequented by genuine watch collectors and nothing shady, etc.
The watch (per Chronotek) has a "silver stick samped dial, 14K yellow gold case, 14K yellow gold bezel. Crystal is also 'Genuine Omega Crystal.' The strap is not original or Omega -- just a nice black leather strap that I bought.
These are pictures of the ticking watch.
Thank you.

prokudin · Dec 20, 2024

You will need to reach 200 posts to sell on this forum. The prices vary indeed and they depend on the desirability and rarity of a particular model. You would need to share some details on the movement and perhaps better photos for evaluation. I would say $1000 - $1500 range, but I am not in the market. Prepare to be offered much less if you sell to a dealer. If it belongs to your family and has history, keep it in your family.

Davidt · Dec 20, 2024

It’s impossible to say from the pics provided as the quality is so low.
Perhaps not what you want to hear but as a general rule, servicing watches prior to sale is not economically the best option.

As gold is so high at the minute the prices is likely around the spot price for the gold. A bit below of the dial is trashed and a bit above of the dial is good.

Dan S · Dec 20, 2024

It's hard to see much in those photos, but it looks like the dial is badly damaged, in which case the watch will not be of interest to a collector. Under the circumstances, the value is mainly due to the gold content as @Davidt mentioned. Local to me, 14k gold is selling for about $41/gm. The time to sell was before you invested in it.

UNLucky · Dec 20, 2024

So, as a new guy, my thoughts based on some of the ebay posts i've seen and some of the other quality watches on there... Post what you think it's worth. Either it'll sell or it wont. The experts will try to get the value of the watch as it is, the persons who dont know any better will buy with thier heart. So, you may be able to get way more than you thought, or have to take less than you estimated. What these fine gentleman have said is indeed true and I applaud you for trying to get an idea, but ultimately, what's it worth to you? The dollar amount you invested in having it restored and what you think you can get for it are up to you. Good luck! (Personally, I'd keep it and ensure it stays in the family, its a gorgeous watch imho.)

Sebastianwoods · Dec 20, 2024

I'm not in a hurry to sell. I was more curious. The watch had stopped working and that seemed wrong as I've seen it ticking away most of my life. $700 odd was a good price to make this work again imo. Interesting that there is no real value beyond the gold. Thank you for the insight.

Sebastianwoods · Dec 20, 2024

A couple better pictures hopefully.

Dan S · Dec 20, 2024

S Sebastianwoods
$700 odd was a good price to make this work again imo. Interesting that there is no real value beyond the gold.

You need to look at it from the perspective of a stranger to whom it has no sentimental value. The collectible desirability of a watch is entirely in the condition, and mostly of the dial. Other than that, this watch has one "pro" and one "con." The Tiffany signature is a plus, the fact that it is a US-cased watch without an Omega reference # is a minus.

Mute · Dec 20, 2024

Your best bet on valuation is to see if this specific watch is available for sale on ebay or chrono24 and get a feel for where the pricing seem to be.

UncleBuck · Dec 20, 2024

S Sebastianwoods
The watch had stopped working and that seemed wrong as I've seen it ticking away most of my life.

I feel your heart.... I have spent too much fixing a watch because I couldn't bear to watch it die.
It's worth more to you than anyone else, so you will know best what to do.

I am worried about your handling the movement ungloved. Our skin contains a chemical that can harm the metal, so gloves or "cots" are recommended over touching with bare skin. I'm hoping the photo was from before the service.

I admire your effort, some investment returns are in the soul, not the wallet.

Hence, your first "like".

Davidt · Dec 20, 2024

S Sebastianwoods
I'm not in a hurry to sell. I was more curious. The watch had stopped working and that seemed wrong as I've seen it ticking away most of my life. $700 odd was a good price to make this work again imo. Interesting that there is no real value beyond the gold. Thank you for the insight.

There’s two points on the value.

1. If the dial is in good condition, it would be valued higher than simply gold value. A significant portion, say 40-70% of the value of a vintage watch is in the dial (for non precious metal watches).

2. Because gold has risen so sharply over the last few years, the intrinsic value of the gold has reached such levels that is now meets or even exceeds the value of the watch (particularly with watches that don’t have dials in good condition). This isn’t really a reflection of the low of value of the watch, more it’s a result of the high value of gold.

How to value (or sell) an Omega Seamaster

Sebastianwoods

prokudin

Davidt

Dan S

UNLucky

Sebastianwoods

Sebastianwoods

Dan S

Mute

UncleBuck

Davidt

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