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Looking for a new watch

N
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Good evening all. I'm looking for my first decent watch and was outbid on one that I took a shine too.

It is the following:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/336115841483

I absolutely loved the look of the watch but did it go for too much? If so by how much.

I'm in the UK if it helps.

Thanks

Screenshot_20250817_193334_eBay.webp Screenshot_20250817_193348_eBay.webp Screenshot_20250817_193355_eBay.webp Screenshot_20250817_193403_eBay.webp Screenshot_20250817_193411_eBay.webp Screenshot_20250817_193417_eBay.webp Screenshot_20250817_193423_eBay.webp
 
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N
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For some reason the link won't go to the original one and takes you elsewhere. Ive added pics
 
Dan S
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Repainted dial kills the value. I don't see the price in the photos that you posted, but IMO, you got lucky that some sucker out-bid you. Collectors have a word for a watch like this ... garbage.
 
N
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Dan S Dan S
Repainted dial kills the value. I don't see the price in the photos that you posted, but IMO, you got lucky that some sucker out-bid you.
I thought i hadn't seen many that colour. Is it definitely repainted then as that's the colour I like. How much would it be worth repainted? Thanks
 
Dan S
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N Nobias1980
I thought i hadn't seen many that colour. Is it definitely repainted then as that's the colour I like. How much would it be worth repainted? Thanks
With experience, you can identify a repainted dial from the details, but in this case the seller even mentions that it is repainted. I can't tell you the value without more photos, for example I suspect that the case is also poorly refinished. The actual value is less than 500 USD.
 
Davidt
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These are the types of vintage watches you should avoid.

The redial kills the collector value. If it were offered to me at £200 I’d pass.

There are several UK dealers who have lovely fluffy descriptions and nice photos but basically sell redialed, tarted up watches that due to the nice pictures and colourful dials sell for good money when they have no reason to.

N Nobias1980
The price was 1350

That price is utterly ridiculous
 
Davidt
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You can buy an original and uncommon black dial with gilt writing for that price with some patience.
 
N
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Ok. Thankyou so much for your help. Can you recommend where i can get something similar in the UK. This is all new to me. Ive had a crap few years and looking at a little treat lol
 
Dan S
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Blue dials were not common for Omega in that era, and the references that came with blue dials are not terribly appealing to me. Black dials were also much less common than silver, but they did come in some attractive references, including the 166.010. Unfortunately, black dials also are prone to damage.
 
Davidt
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Firstly, avoid redials. When they’re new, everyone says “oh I’m ok with redials”. Then as they get more into it, they realise they’re not, so the standard advice to avoid redials is right for the vast majority of people who will have even a passing interest in vintage watches.

Redials also kill the value. Whoever bought the watch above, will be lucky to get £350 if they come to resell it.

Unfortunately when it comes to vintage watches there are often no quick fixes, especially if you want a black or blue dial as these were very uncommon and so are hard to find now.

I’d recommend keeping an eye on the sales forum here.
 
Davidt
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Avoid these horror shows as well.

They seem to be endemic in the UK at the minute.

IMG_8440.webp
 
Davidt
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To show they can be found with a bit of patience, here are some original ones.

IMG_4124.webp IMG_4174.webp IMG_1602.webp
 
Davidt
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Depends on various factors but in a private sale I’d say around £1250-1750 GBP.

The patina dial more like £800.

Those are private sales between collectors etc. Buying from a dealer will likely be 50-100% premium.
 
Davidt
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Also, beware vintage Seamasters with black dials. They weren’t so popular in the 60’s as they weren’t as legible as silver dials so much fewer were sold.

However, as they’re very popular now many dealers will redial knackered silver dial Seamasters with black dials and charge a premium. So, at least 4 out of 5 vintage Seamasters you see for sale
With a black dial are non original.
Edited:
 
N
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Thankyou for the information. Its very helpful.

I noticed the person that sold that watch has sold a lot of different vintage omegas but in the same colour and they all make 1100 plus. They must have got a job lot of dark blue lol.
 
Davidt
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They will likely have a constant stream of banged up watches coming in that they then send away to their watchmaker/dial restorer for the standard blue/black/green dial refinish. They’ll then get the case polished to remove all the scratches.

This probably costs less than £150 on top of the £200-250 they paid for the knackered watch, so total outlay is less than £400.

Notice they usually don’t service the watch as this would be £200-400 quid and it adds no aesthetic value so they presumably don’t think it’s worth it from a financial perspective
 
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