Is this a good Seamaster?

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ben7391

·Jun 19, 2020

I found a 166.0209 example that I quite like. I have read up on the 1020 movement, and saw some mixed reception (that Omega cut corners, not as collectible as the 60s' movements, fragile... etc). I would like to wear this watch, so collector's value isn't as important to me. What I would like to know is whether this particular watch is worth $700, barring collector's value. Durability, accuracy of the movement, ease of use, and serviceability are my main priorities.

Thanks for your help!

 

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ConElPueblo

·Jun 19, 2020

You cannot evaluate an item like objectively. The only market it occupies is that of the collector's as it would fail on all other parameters.


No, it isn't worth $700.

 

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X350 XJR

·Jun 19, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

It's so horribly over polished and worn I can't imagine even wanting to own it even at less than half the price.

 

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ben7391

·Jun 19, 2020

Would I be correct to assume a theoretical, unpolished version of this watch possibly being offered for sale for $350? Just trying to wrap my head around the vintage valuations here.

 

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TexOmega

·Jun 19, 2020

The answer to your questions are a hard NO.

 

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ben7391

·Jun 19, 2020

Well, it seems a hard and fast rule that anything on chrono24 is never worth the price. I am just wondering that when someone says a watch is worth half its price, they realistically expect an owner of that watch to list it at half the price. After all, "worth" must be based on something. I ask myself, are these valuations realistic based on the current market?

Unless of course they mean the best possible price for the watch is half of its current price, but then the best possible price for anything is always zero.

 

K

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killer67

·Jun 19, 2020

ben7391

Well, it seems a hard and fast rule that anything on chrono24 is never worth the price. I am just wondering that when someone says a watch is worth half its price, they realistically expect an owner of that watch to list it at half the price. After all, "worth" must be based on something. I ask myself, are these valuations realistic based on the current market?

Unless of course they mean the best possible price for the watch is half of its current price, but then the best possible price for anything is always zero.

Chrono24 is not the place to find market value vintage watches; they are overpriced and generally target buyers that are not terribly knowledgeable on condition and nuance. Occasionally you will find a good one but you have to have a keen eye and move quickly

 

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ben7391

·Jun 19, 2020

I think ConElPueblo stated quite rightly that these watches can't be objectively valued. I could never reconcile or take literally all (or any) of the valuation feedback since resale value is of little importance to me. I guess philosophically vintage collecting is to find what other people deem valuable? At least no one said the watch was fake, so that was helpful.

One thing I noticed was that buyers on chrono24 seem to flock to private sellers even if a dealer has an equivalently priced watch. I thought that was interesting.

 

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X350 XJR

·Jun 19, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

This is what the case on one of these should look like.

Note the severe wear on OPs watch. Blue arrows show where the gold plating has been worn/polished away down to the brass base.

 

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ben7391

·Jun 19, 2020

They almost seem like two different watches. Polishing can take that much of the edge away? One seems to have round edges and one seems flat. To alter that much character of watch is unthinkable.

 

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Davidt

·Jun 20, 2020

Regarding what's its worth or what I would or wouldn't pay.

X350 XJR

It's so horribly over polished and worn I can't imagine even wanting to own it even at less than half the price.

Half of $700 is around £280 GBP and I can say categorically that if I saw the OP watch for sale for £280 there's is no way any thoughts of buying it would enter my head.

That isn't to say if it was listed on eBay it would t sell in a month or two. It may do. But at the asking price it would sit for a long time.

 

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STANDY

·Jun 20, 2020·schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector

On the value department.

A person inherited a watch or pseudo dealer picks up a model he doesn’t know about.
They check a google search that leads them to a dealers price of $700
They have the same watch so it’s got to be worth $700

Both watches are really valued at $4-500 buy many here.

Back to watch above, it’s really got zero price (Here) because most wouldn’t buy it due to condition of case and it’s not a sort after model for collectors.