Good afternoon, I am new to buying vintage watches and I am paranoid about getting it wrong and buying a dud. I have narrowed down my search for my first buy to either a vintage Breitling from the 40's through to 60's or an Omega from the same time period. I love chronographs so have always been a fan of Omega especially Seamasters and Speedmasters. I have spotted a couple of Seamasters that I like the look of. Your advice would be great as to authenticity and which may be a better buy. If possible, an idea of what I should be paying would be helpful. I am yet to see either in the flesh but have managed to obtain some really good photos. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5nut8ku696hv7vp/AADtHu8TdCoj-julamyuTkNEa?dl=0 Thank you in advance!
There is one for sale here on the Forum: https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...l-321-sts-service-omega-extract-£1-895.57291/ They are cool looking watches. It would be better if you could post the pictures directly here so we don't have to flip back and forth.
Welcome to the Forum Firstly……stick to Omega,… over Breitling, …until you have gained more experience Omega watches are far better documented…than Breitling, …which are one of the most 'faked' brands out there…countless generic chronographs are re bridged, & redialled, and passed off as original Breitling There is a wealth of experience & talent on this Forum to help you, …heed their advice
Thanks for all of the comments. So it seems they look legit. I agree they are photographed nicely! They are due to be auctioned later this month. My favourite is the one with the darker patina to the face. It's listed as circa 1960 with an estimate of between £1500 - £2000. The other is is a similar kind of estimate and it's suggest as being of 1965 vintage. Worth a punt?
Keep in mind that most estimates are on the lower side. Usually they are blown out of the water, especially if it is a desired watch.
Plus it has a 321 movement, which is not impossible, especially if your only watch, but can be harder to maintain compared to newer movements as the supply of parts naturally decreases. Something to think about.
Just so you know the Seamasters pictured above are on the smaller side. I have a 105.001 with a 321 and it's a great little watch. Late 60's and early 70's Seamaster watches are going to be much larger.
That second one really it's a looker! It is beautiful I see why you would want it.. Alpha hands, I think if you got just a service and the dial furniture polished it would just sparkle against that cream dial!! It is stunning..
Thanks for the advice! Are you saying that if I managed to get either within these price ranges, I will have done well? It must be hard to value on pictures alone but what would you expect me to have to pay? The estimated price range is in budget for me.
Agreed, there are some really great pieces to be had powered by 861 and they typically have the added benefit of far more readily available parts for long term maintenance and added water resistance which is something that started to come about in the late 60s and 70s. The 145.018 for example is a Seamaster 861 with a more 60s style dial than some of the later ones but has a robust case and tends to be very good value for money. The better water resistance also means there are far more 145.018 dials in good original condition to choose from, whereas many of the dials at the top of this thread are quite patinated and damaged.
