- Posts
- 2,520
- Likes
- 17,820
airansun
·Like many, I long harbored a prejudice against all the gold plated 321 Seamasters. I’d look them over and frequently rapidly dismiss them without a more careful examination.
Well, I’ve now picked up some of these watches and I’m actually quite pleased. One of them, see below, has become a daily wearer. It’s not perfect but I love wearing it. A 145.005-67
Here are the advantages of gold plated over gold or stainless steel:
1 - they are cheaper than stainless, often by $1k or more. Of course, gold can be twice as much as plated, or more. And there’s much less competition for the plated ones.
2 - they are more striking on the wrist than stainless steel, which can frequently be hard to read (silver colored hardware on silvery or white dials). I might not want to wear a solid gold one too often, but I have no such scruples with gold plated.
3 - the nice ones haven’t been over polished like the solid gold ones because good watchmakers knew not to risk polishing the plate away. Both stainless steel and particularly solid gold watches got polished, sometimes relentlessly. Much harder to find nice cases on those.
4 - Omega’s early 60’s gold plating appears to be a higher quality than many, based on my anecdotal experience. So, a high quality gold plated 321 can last years, or more if it’s in rotation with other watches.
Of course, great care needs to be taken when examining photos. But slight plate loss on the tips of the lugs (often the first place it starts) doesn’t automatically rule it out anymore for me.
Just my experience.
With bracelet, this was a little over $3k a few months ago. Considering what just 321 movements cost, this seemed like a deal.
For the people looking for a 321 Omega that have been priced out of the 321 Speedmaster market, this is a way to wear a beautiful 321.
Just sayin’. 😉
Well, I’ve now picked up some of these watches and I’m actually quite pleased. One of them, see below, has become a daily wearer. It’s not perfect but I love wearing it. A 145.005-67
Here are the advantages of gold plated over gold or stainless steel:
1 - they are cheaper than stainless, often by $1k or more. Of course, gold can be twice as much as plated, or more. And there’s much less competition for the plated ones.
2 - they are more striking on the wrist than stainless steel, which can frequently be hard to read (silver colored hardware on silvery or white dials). I might not want to wear a solid gold one too often, but I have no such scruples with gold plated.
3 - the nice ones haven’t been over polished like the solid gold ones because good watchmakers knew not to risk polishing the plate away. Both stainless steel and particularly solid gold watches got polished, sometimes relentlessly. Much harder to find nice cases on those.
4 - Omega’s early 60’s gold plating appears to be a higher quality than many, based on my anecdotal experience. So, a high quality gold plated 321 can last years, or more if it’s in rotation with other watches.
Of course, great care needs to be taken when examining photos. But slight plate loss on the tips of the lugs (often the first place it starts) doesn’t automatically rule it out anymore for me.
Just my experience.
With bracelet, this was a little over $3k a few months ago. Considering what just 321 movements cost, this seemed like a deal.
For the people looking for a 321 Omega that have been priced out of the 321 Speedmaster market, this is a way to wear a beautiful 321.
Just sayin’. 😉
