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Is this Seamaster De Ville 135.020 original?

VintageLucas
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Hi guys,

I've been looking for a vintage omega for a long time now and I've found one that really sparked my interest. The seller states that the watch is 100% original and the reference is 135.020.
However I am a bit concerned about the missing "waterproof" on the case back, so I was hoping for some help here.

Can you please tell me if this watch is original (I an pretty bad at spotting redials if this is one)?

IMG_20200124_140019.jpg IMG_20200124_140032.jpg IMG_20200124_140043.jpg IMG_20200124_140059.jpg IMG_20200124_140111.jpg IMG_20200124_140125.jpg


Cheers,
Lucas
 
VintageLucas
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
Yes. Crown is a replacement.
So is it just a replacement crown and the rest is original? How much would this watch be worth approximately?
 
Shabbaz
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Do you know the service history?

Between EUR 350 and EUR 650. On a good day with the right pictures and description EUR 700. It's a bit less desirable because gold plated and not steel.

Edit: better pictures are required to judge the condition of the case and dial.
 
JwRosenthal
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Looks fine to me. Case is gold plate, if seller is trying to play it as real gold- either educate him or walk away. In the US market they are around where @Shabbaz thinks- $4-500 as-is with unknown service history. Strap and buckle are aftermarket and add no value. Crystal most likely could be polished out and look new again. Add a few hundred for a service with an reputable watchmaker and you have a nice piece. These are very common so don't jump on it unless the price is right and you're comfortable with the terms of sale.
 
Shabbaz
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It's always difficult to answer the question: what is it worth? For a collector who spends hours of searching the web it's worth EUR 350/400. That is what I would pay max. But I look at hundreds of auctions a year. For a one time buyer, who has a normal and healthy social life, the 'worth' question is different.
 
JwRosenthal
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
For a one time buyer, who has a normal and healthy social life, the 'worth' question is different.
This is a topic deserving a thread of its own.
 
DaveK
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
It's always difficult to answer the question: what is it worth? For a collector who spends hours of searching the web it's worth EUR 350/400. That is what I would pay max. But I look at hundreds of auctions a year. For a one time buyer, who has a normal and healthy social life, the 'worth' question is different.
That is a hysterical and insightful answer
 
Spruce
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I agree with the above current values. 601 movement is reliable and the movement looks nice. In the UK I’d expect to pay about £100 for a service plus parts (if any) and postage. The replacement crown, whilst not original, is a decent size and easier for your daily winding. It’s a 1964 watch, so quite nicely preserved for 56 years. In my experience it’s often the case that watches look better in real life than in photos.

Does he accept returns; in which case you can return if it doesn’t match up to your hopes and expectations.

My view is that these old watches are at a premium in the sense that if you find one you like, at the right price, you have to bear in mind that you might look at another fifty which don’t excite you, and you may regret having passed on one you were attracted to.
 
JwRosenthal
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Spruce Spruce
My view is that these old watches are at a premium in the sense that if you find one you like, at the right price, you have to bear in mind that you might look at another fifty which don’t excite you, and you may regret having passed on one you were attracted to.
No truer words. How many times we have said- if only I had gone that extra $50
 
mydeafcat
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Hi Lucas - and welcome. I can’t add anything more than what’s been already shared, however as you lurk here you’ll soon experience the insight of members sharing both valuable expertise and a seemingly bottomless collection of gems for sale. Here’s one of those members. I’m unsure of your budget but if you wish to rest easy and display your watch while leading a healthy, normal social life, Norman’s offerings are terrific and very reliable. You’re in luck as this went up yesterday:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/14k...aster-amazing-dial-you-have-to-see-it.108155/
 
JwRosenthal
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mydeafcat mydeafcat
Hi Lucas - and welcome. I can’t add anything more than what’s been already shared, however as you lurk here you’ll soon experience the insight of members sharing both valuable expertise and a seemingly bottomless collection of gems for sale. Here’s one of those members. I’m unsure of your budget but if you wish to rest easy and display your watch while leading a healthy, normal social life, Norman’s offerings are terrific and very reliable. You’re in luck as this went up yesterday:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/14k...aster-amazing-dial-you-have-to-see-it.108155/
Yeah, that ain’t no plated case.
 
KingCrouchy
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Yeah, that ain’t no plated case.
Btw. To my understanding Seamaster De Ville where either in Steel or 14k and 18k or Gold capped, I never heard of any gold plated Ref.136020, 135020, 165020 and 166020. I'm wrong with this assumption?
 
JwRosenthal
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KingCrouchy KingCrouchy
Btw. To my understanding Seamaster De Ville where either in Steel or 14k and 18k or Gold capped, I never heard of any gold plated Ref.136020, 135020, 165020 and 166020. I'm wrong with this assumption?
The OP watch may be Gold capped rather than plated (I honestly don't know which references they capped or plated but they did have both processes at different times)- but Norman's is solid 14k which is what I was referring to- that thing is a stunner.
 
KingCrouchy
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
The OP watch may be Gold capped rather than plated (I honestly don't know which references they capped or plated but they did have both processes at different times)- but Norman's is solid 14k which is what I was referring to- that thing is a stunner.
Okay, that's what I wanted to understand, thanks.👍 Norman is a great guy and his 14k piece is absolutely stunning.🥰
 
VintageLucas
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First of all thanks to all of you for the incredible effort you're putting in your answers just to help me. The amount of knowledge in this forum is incredible.
I still think it's a gorgeous watch despite the replacement crown. I'll enquire about the service history and give an update on that later.
Has anyone ever seen that case without the "WATERPROOF" tag on it or is that aftermarket too?
Here are some more pictures by the seller:
IMG_20200124_184743.jpg IMG_20200124_184815.jpg IMG_20200124_184756.jpg
 
Spruce
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Glad you found the OF.
Let us know what you decide and what you buy.
 
mrbreen
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VintageLucas VintageLucas
Has anyone ever seen that case without the "WATERPROOF" tag on it or is that aftermarket too?

I have some just like it. The case 100% legit.
 
Shabbaz
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Without waterproof. Yes. Saw it. Now i go out for dinner. I do have a life.... on friday...😁
 
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