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Is this right decision for husbands 60th, 1961 Seamaster?

V
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Hi everyone, new to the forum, read the great Omega buying guides & advice on here (regarding re- brushing & re-dials) but it all still feels very unknown & very scary territory for me!
My dear husband turns 60 in April and I wanted something special from the family to him so I started on my Vintage Omega search. He isn’t ‘into’ watches but doesn’t like the modern huge face watches & thought maybe putting it onto a genuine Nato fabric strap (for comfort as he doesn’t like metal straps!) & then getting the Nato chrome bars engraved if possible could all add up to a very deserved & special gift for him.
So I’ve just found this 1961 Seamaster for sale (have been searching for a long whilst also looking at the Cosmic).
Initial thoughts would be so appreciated from another eye with experience, I’ve been saving for a while hoping to find the right one, being a 1961 (his birth year) & willing to pay a premium for it (it’s £1400), but I really don’t want to make a huge mistake with this kind of money. So could any members kindly give an opinion & some honest experienced advice for me? Vicky

UK Sellers description: Omega Seamaster Stainless Steel Mens Vintage 1961 watch in stunning condition
Case Width: 34mm
Dial: Original white / ivory dial
Metal: Stainless steel
Year of Manufacture: 1961
Movement: Automatic - Calibre 562
Serial Number: 18835696
 
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V
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Another image, appreciate watches are ‘staged’ to sell but I just want to make absolutely sure I’m not making a huge mistake
 
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Syrte
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Hello @VickyG, welcome to the forum, you are entirely right to check here before you buy.
I don’t know enough about Omega watches to give you an informed opinion— but you should indeed be aware buying a vintage watch can be a minefield and your caution is entirely appropriate.
It seems to me the pictures you posted are a bit too blurry to make a reliable assessment- if the dial has been repainted the value of the watch drops to a fraction of this price.
Are the pictures equally blurry when seen on a computer?

Also people will need to see a picture of the back of the watcu. Any deep scratches would also impact value.
The fact this dealer has apparently not posted any is kinf of suspicious.
You can see the case has been polished with a machine— which is why it is so shiny and the angles and edges have softened. This to collectors also impacts value.

I’m sure other more knowledgeable members I’m sure will be glad to help.


best regards
Edited:
 
STANDY
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£1400 is a bit overpriced.....
 
V
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Passover Passover
No "sold", did you buy it?
Having some scary second thoughts but why it’s showing sold, & why I needed some advice
 
V
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Borosilikat Borosilikat
It says sold, have you bought it ?
Hope it didn't get away from you😲

No it’s still mine but just needing another set of eyes on it as I just don’t know enough despite reading as much as I can! I know it’s upper price end but it’s the 1961 & good vintage condition I’m after
 
Borosilikat
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Do you have any data on the movement, I mean timegraph data such as beat error, amplitude, accuracy ?
Aesthetically the watch seems to be in very good condition although I am not an expert on this era of Seamasters.

The movement looks clean at first glance.
 
SkunkPrince
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It is what it claims to be but it is super expensive. Up to you whether the premium price is worth it. 25 years of happiness, it might well be.
 
Syrte
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I don’t think expensive matters if the watch is entirely original and correct, because to find the correct birth year in a month in time for the birthday may be difficult.
The question to me is; is the dial original.

But the good news is, it appears Vicky and the seller are both in the UK - and that the seller is a professional seller, which means that Vicky is still protected despite Brexit by those AWFUL European laws which allow consumers to cancel a mail transaction within 7 or 14 days without having to state any reason, when they’re dealing with a professional.
And it seems this guy would also care about his ratings.
Edited:
 
V
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Thank you all for your replies so far, I really do appreciate it. I agree it most certainly is top end of the pricing for a vintage as I’ve been looking for a long time. (he’s put up with me for over 40 years so he’s worth it for hopefully another 25 years!)

No I don’t have any technical data, it will be serviced by an omega watch specialist before I get it & come with a timing warranty.

As for the dial, the seller says it’s the original white/ivory dial, but I don’t know how I could check that - do the hands or markings give any clues?
 
Syrte
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The only thing which will permit checking the dial is a very crisp, high resolution picture of the dial where we can see the fine lines of the logo, the indexes, and of the « Omega » and « Seamaster » script.
Like the pictures below, from a watch I used to own.

You can see the fine shapes of the letters, including the «serifs » on the OMAGA dial signature.
 
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SkunkPrince
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V VickyG
As for the dial, the seller says it’s the original white/ivory dial, but I don’t know how I could check that - do the hands or markings give any clues?
It looks fine, don't worry about it.
 
Dan S
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Looks ok at first glance. Very nice gift. Given your time constraints and the fact that you want a watch made in a particular year, it might not be easy to find another watch in decent condition. So you may have to pay a premium.

You are probably paying approximately double what a typical collector would pay for this, but I wouldn't worry too much about price in this scenario. It's a gift, and you're not concerned about re-sale in the future.
Edited:
 
TimeODanaos
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The Cave Man beat me to the punch. This dealer does have a bit of form, and whenever I read their write-ups on Chrono24 I tend to feel nauseous afterwards. I think that the OP is exactly the sort of customer they relish, and "see coming" as I think the expression has it.
@VickyG welcome, and I'm so glad you reached out. I totally applaud your wonderful gift idea, and I appreciate you may feel some time pressure. But please don't let these guys charge you double for a watch that has lost a fight with a polishing machine. (Syrte is too modest with all this "I don't know enough" - she is a respected and experienced collector whose first reaction was the right one.) My own two pennorth is just to mention that finding a "birth year" Omega by serial number is an inexact science, so please don't batter yourself too much with the thought that a "1961" might slip through the net. Remember also, these things were made in great numbers, and many have stood the test of time. So you still have time and space to survey the possibilities a bit further, I would say.
 
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