Is a repainted 165.002 a good first watch?

johannes_climacu · Jun 9, 2025

First of all, I'm sorry that this post contains no photos. I don't want to out the seller, who seems like a very nice gentleman.

I am considering buying my first watch. It is a stainless Omega Seamaster 165.002, repainted with a black dial. The seller seems to be a respected watchmaker. He says it was originally a black crosshair and was repainted as such. It has no date dial. It has been serviced, and comes with a warranty. It has a very nice omega jubilee bracelet. Based on my research of the market the watch is a bit overpriced but nothing too crazy, and I'd rather get the watch I want than the one that's "the best deal."

I know that collectors don't like repainted watches, but I have been lusting after a black Seamaster crosshair for awhile and I don't think I'll find it in an original condition that I find acceptable. At least not in my price range. I don't really care that it's been repainted.

Is this a good version of Seamaster for a first purchase? Is there anything I should know about this movement, etc?

dsio · Jun 9, 2025

Repainted dials are just worth very little, 165.002 cases are fairly water resistant for their era, they don't need redialing very often and the originals are cheap, so that renders a refinished one worth very little, $300 or so imo. There are just so many of them out there that it isn't worth buying them. There are original black dials of these, some are well liked like the Speedmaster companion but they're not worth a premium either.

I would just be patient, keep an eye on the eBay recommended thread, and get a good one rather than buying a redial off some guy.

X350 XJR · Jun 9, 2025

johannes_climacu
I don't really care that it's been repainted.

You may not care now but you likely will in the future.

Davidt · Jun 10, 2025

It’s impossible to give an informed answer as the two most important elements are pictures of the watch and the price. Neither of which you have provided.

I’d say a redialed 166.002 has limited value. With patience you can find a black technical dial for around £800-1000 for a good one. A redial (which may we have other issues such as water ingress and corrosion to the movement) is dirty £250 at best. I wouldn’t buy one in the first place

johannes_climacu · Jun 10, 2025

Davidt
It’s impossible to give an informed answer as the two most important elements are pictures of the watch and the price. Neither of which you have provided.

I’d say a redialed 166.002 has limited value. With patience you can find a black technical dial for around £800-1000 for a good one. A redial (which may we have other issues such as water ingress and corrosion to the movement) is dirty £250 at best. I wouldn’t buy one in the first place

Doesn't the fact that it's already been serviced carry a decent amount of value? I inherited an old Heuer Chrono a few years ago that I sold after discovering a servicing would cost up to $2,000. I was assuming I'd be in a similar boat if I bought an old, unrestored omega and then had to get it serviced. Or are Omegas that much cheaper to service?

Davidt · Jun 10, 2025

You can get a simple 3 handed Omega serviced for £200-500.
What was the quality of the recent service? Is it documented? There’s a service and there’s a service. A watch that has suffered water damage will likely require significant replacement parts and a cheap, quick service won’t sort much of that out.
Ultimately, it will need servicing again in the future and you’re going to be spending more than the watch is worth.
If you want a black dial you’ll need to be patient as they’re fairly uncommon, then pay approximately 50-100% premium for one. If that doesn’t appeal, consider a silver dial as they’re much more readily available in decent condition.

omega1994 · Jun 10, 2025

Not the specific reference you asked for, but lovely watch going for reasonable price here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/price-reduced-further-omega-166-033-black-racing-dial-solid-grooved-hour-markers-bor-serviced-free-ship-in-eu.182002/

Thread '(Price Reduced further) Omega 166.033, Black Racing dial, solid grooved hour markers, BOR, serviced, free ship in EU' ·

Hi everyone, for sale today is an interesting Omega 166.033 Black Racing dial

1. General introduction
A very nice stainless steel Omega 166.033, 34.5mm, black racing dial...

SOLD

€ 850

hant26 · Mar 11, 2025

BrokenSkunk · Jun 10, 2025

If the dial has been repainted, the dial was knackered.
If the dial was knackerd, it's very probably water or sweat inside the case that caused the problem.
If there's enough water in the case to knacker the dial, that water will have attacked the steel parts of the movement, messed with the oils and generally done it's best to kill the movement too.

The watchmaker may have swapped out all the worn and rusty parts, or he may have just done the minimum needed to flip it for a profit. I would not bet any of my money on the former.

But if you don't care that it's been repainted...

Dan S · Jun 10, 2025

I suggest you take the time to inform yourself a bit more before making a decision. Once your eye begins to appreciate the difference between original and repainted dials, you may become more and more unhappy with a re-dialed watch, and it will be very difficult to sell. You haven't shown photos, but the vast majority of repainted dials are pretty bad, and those watches have often been tampered with in other ways as well (wrong hands, crown, etc.).

And FWIW, I have owned dozens of vintage chronographs, and generally paid in the $400-$750 range for servicing and minor repairs. I think there were a few cases where I spent as much as $1k when something special was needed (e.g. a new balance staff). As a newbie, if you ask for one quote, you might hear something exorbitant, but $2k to service a Heuer chronograph sounds absurd.

Incidentally, when someone says that a watch with a repainted dial has been serviced, I'm generally skeptical. Who would really put the money, time, and effort into doing a quality service on a watch with such little value, especially for re-sale purposes. Generally, a seller of such a watch would do the bare minimum to get it running and then pass it on. Many sellers offer a warranty, and count on the fact that most watches will perform reasonably well for 6-12 months.

johannes_climacu · Jun 10, 2025

Just wanted to thank you all for the replies so far. I know this is a beginner question and it's been asked before. But your responses have been very helpful.

Larry S · Jun 10, 2025

Instead of blundering forward. Hang here. Learn by reading posts, using search and monitor FS lists. Leverage the community with informed questions. Money is hard to come by. Better to spend it wisely. BTW … black dial Sea Masters are almost always repainted.

johannes_climacu · Jun 10, 2025

omega1994
Not the specific reference you asked for, but lovely watch going for reasonable price here:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/price-reduced-further-omega-166-033-black-racing-dial-solid-grooved-hour-markers-bor-serviced-free-ship-in-eu.182002/

Thread '(Price Reduced further) Omega 166.033, Black Racing dial, solid grooved hour markers, BOR, serviced, free ship in EU' ·
Hi everyone, for sale today is an interesting Omega 166.033 Black Racing dial

1. General introduction
A very nice stainless steel Omega 166.033, 34.5mm, black racing dial...

SOLD
€ 850

hant26 · Mar 11, 2025

This watch seems very cool. I originally really wanted the Seamaster font, but I like the textured dial on this one a lot. I did some research, and read that the "T SWISS T" indicates the presence of a radioactive material. Is that a concern for wearing?

I wasn't able to find much more info about the 166.033 (is that called a reference number?), so if there's anything I should know about it, please feel free to speak up.

Davidt · Jun 10, 2025

Most watches from -63 to the mid 90’s have tritium on the dial. As long as you don’t lick the dial you should be fine. In fact watches from the 60’s have gone through 4+ half lives now so they’re only around 6% of the radioactivity they were when new so low risk.
Pre 63 was radium which is much more radioactive.

FatCat2112 · Jun 10, 2025

If you like particular watch, and you can inspect the movement before buying, and you are happy with the restored dial, I do not see anything wrong with this watch as the first watch. To be honest, I have seen some redials, which look very good, and I would be fine with them, unless it is some very specific and extremely collectible watch - but in my case it is related with the fact, that I do not sell my watches and therefore I do not have to worry, how collectible it will be in few years.

Archer · Jun 10, 2025

B BrokenSkunk
The watchmaker may have swapped out all the worn and rusty parts, or he may have just done the minimum needed to flip it for a profit. I would not bet any of my money on the former.

Exactly.

Dan S · Jun 10, 2025

FatCat2112
I do not sell my watches and therefore I do not have to worry, how collectible it will be in few years.

Maybe this will remain true for you, but many people say this at one point and regret it later when they are sitting on dozens of watches and would like to upgrade. Ultimately, all watches are sold.

johannes_climacu · Jun 10, 2025

Ok, y'all have convinced me to share the actual watch. I'd just ask that you do not tear down the seller or anything like that. Sometimes I have seen threads where people pile on to the sellers and this gentleman seems like a nice man, so I don't want to participate in that or create an internet firestorm for him. https://www.ebay.com/itm/306289783256

It looks like a good re-dial to me, but I'd be curious for other opinions, or if there are reasons I should avoid this one and opt instead for something like the De Ville linked up thread, which would be a few hundred cheaper after the exchange rate is applied.

My main priorities are that it looks nice, will wear well as an everyday watch, and won't require anything crazy or non-typical for regular maintenance. I do not have budget for multiple watches, so whatever one I get I will have to be quite happy with.

p4ul · Jun 10, 2025

Dan S
Who would really put the money, time, and effort into doing a quality service on a watch with such little value

Somebody looking for a mug to sell it to at an inflated price usually.😁

Davidt · Jun 10, 2025

Even if you’re happy with a redial and potential movement issues, it comes down to price. If it’s $250 you could say why not. If it’s $800 it’s ridiculous

Dan S · Jun 10, 2025

p4ul
Somebody looking for a mug to sell it to at an inflated price usually.😁

Agreed. But a cheap half-assed service will yield a higher profit. 😉

Is a repainted 165.002 a good first watch?

johannes_climacu

dsio

X350 XJR

Davidt

johannes_climacu

Davidt

omega1994

BrokenSkunk

Dan S

johannes_climacu

Larry S

johannes_climacu

Davidt

FatCat2112

Archer

Dan S

johannes_climacu

p4ul

Davidt

Dan S

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