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Sierravista
·My father recently passed and these have been in a drawer for years. Probably needs to be serviced. Can anyone shed some light on what i have here? Thanks guys,
Inherited watches
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SkunkPrince
·Best way to get that information is to take them to the watchmaker and have the casebacks removed and take a picture of the caseback inside and of the movement.
I can tell you roughly the Seamaster is early 60s, maybe barely in the late 50s, and has some value. The Geneve is much later and is of lesser desireability and therefore is of somewhat lesser value. But that's just an estimate based on experience, not hard fact.
I can tell you roughly the Seamaster is early 60s, maybe barely in the late 50s, and has some value. The Geneve is much later and is of lesser desireability and therefore is of somewhat lesser value. But that's just an estimate based on experience, not hard fact.
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Syrte
·Sorry for your loss.
The first one is high quality and durable because it has a steel case. You should have it serviced but once you do it will be easy to wear on a daily basis as is it self-winding. You should not wear it regularly unless you’ve had it serviced even if appears to be working, as the old oils may have thickened inside the case and may damage the movement.
Also be careful as those should not be worn in humid environments, water and humidity are lethal enemies for old mechanical movements.
The second one is less durable because it is gold plated.
It’s a less fashionable type of design nowadays, but for sure would work as a dress watch.
The first one is high quality and durable because it has a steel case. You should have it serviced but once you do it will be easy to wear on a daily basis as is it self-winding. You should not wear it regularly unless you’ve had it serviced even if appears to be working, as the old oils may have thickened inside the case and may damage the movement.
Also be careful as those should not be worn in humid environments, water and humidity are lethal enemies for old mechanical movements.
The second one is less durable because it is gold plated.
It’s a less fashionable type of design nowadays, but for sure would work as a dress watch.
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Syrte
·PS also make sure you do not try to open them yourself. It takes a professional watchmaker to do that— even a jeweler could do irreparable harm and create deep scratches on the caseback— which would be a shame, especially on that beautiful Seamonster caseback.
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JwRosenthal
·Welcome @Sierravista - sorry to hear about the loss of your father- always a hard thing to deal with.
These are nice heirloom pieces abd worth having serviced and cleaned up by a competent watchmaker. The first one has had its dial refinished at some point long ago- which was pretty standard if a watch has been subjected to moisture intrusion and the dial finish got damaged. It does hurt the collectible value of the watch, but it shouldn’t stop you from having it brought back up to snuff and enjoy wearing it. The gold plated one, as @Syrte said is out of fashion at the moment and the finish can be delicate due to the nature of gold plated but these 70’s watches are making a come-back as fashion statements, so once it’s all cleaned up, rock it with a pair of jeans and glitter that gold!
Let us know where you are in the world and we can try to recommend a watchmaker close to you.
These are nice heirloom pieces abd worth having serviced and cleaned up by a competent watchmaker. The first one has had its dial refinished at some point long ago- which was pretty standard if a watch has been subjected to moisture intrusion and the dial finish got damaged. It does hurt the collectible value of the watch, but it shouldn’t stop you from having it brought back up to snuff and enjoy wearing it. The gold plated one, as @Syrte said is out of fashion at the moment and the finish can be delicate due to the nature of gold plated but these 70’s watches are making a come-back as fashion statements, so once it’s all cleaned up, rock it with a pair of jeans and glitter that gold!
Let us know where you are in the world and we can try to recommend a watchmaker close to you.
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smorrisonmd
·This may or may not influence your decision on how to proceed, but neither of these watches are likely worth much more than the cost of a service. Unless you intend on wearing them regularly, I would put them back in the drawer.
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Walrus
·Maybe not like high value pieces but priceless mementos of your loved who who is now on the other side. I’d get at least one, probably the seamaster serviced and wear it as a tribute and reminder. It has meaning to you greater than it’s monetary value
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smorrisonmd
·If they have great sentimental value, then I agree. But the OP has not indicated that they do, at least not yet. If not, and if he does not intend on wearing them, then they are probably not worth servicing.
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Dan S
·OP, can you expand a bit? What are you looking to learn and why?
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Sierravista
·Thanks for the input guys. You guys have a great community here.
Im in san diego, and would appreciate recommendations where I can get these serviced. Also, what is a fair price to have them serviced?
And no Im not looking to flip them, these have been passed down from my grandfather, to my father, and now to me and my brother.
Im in san diego, and would appreciate recommendations where I can get these serviced. Also, what is a fair price to have them serviced?
And no Im not looking to flip them, these have been passed down from my grandfather, to my father, and now to me and my brother.
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Syrte
·You should try a search as I’m sure there must have been watchmaker referrals in your area already.
Other people may chime in with more.
Other people may chime in with more.
