I have recently inherited an Omega Speedmaster from my father. The serial number is 24001686 which I think makes it a 1966 model. As far as I know, he has had it from new. It has a 1035 strap. He used to wear it all the time which does show. I can’t find the box.
I’m looking for advice on selling this. What is the average value of a watch like this in its current condition? Does it add value having an Omega service and buying a copy of the extract from the archives?

 

Omega service big no no

extract is on the omega web site

price speedmaster101

nice watch BTW

 

Please no Omega service for this beauty!
You have the good dial, the good bezel, good strap, can't see the pushers and crown, but if they are correct, it can add a real value.
Detail your glass also, to check the Omega shape and confirm if it is an original one.
But it is definitely a very nice one...! Happy new buyer! (Maybe me!...)

 

Welcome and congrats on inheriting such a cool watch.

You should try to locate the box and papers again as well as pictures of your dad wearing this watch years back. The underlying value of this watch besides its quite attractive condition is in its provenance and one-family heirloom.

Since you already declared the serial number, a prospect buyer may do his own homework applying for Extract himself. I don't think there is anything you can do cosmetically to gain extra bucks than selling it as-is. And like the previous comments, please no Omega service.

 

Why is everybody so negative to Omega service?

 

Keep an eye on this thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/exa...as-serviced-restored-by-omega-service.108485/

 

Thanks. Is it worth paying for a certificate of authenticity from Omega?

 

It is a bit over egged here, but the default standard of Omega is to over service watches. This means new hands and crown and pushers which upsets a lot of vintage collectors.
In reality if you give clear instructions the main downsides are turn around time and lack of communication. It can also be quite expensive

 

Ok, no omega service for me then......

 

IMO no, EoA yes
Best luck

 

Nice honest piece, I'd be happy to wear that watch. Good advice above. An Extract could enhance the value, but maybe not worth the trouble if you're unfamiliar with the process. Other than that, leave it alone. No service, Omega or otherwise.

 

If it keeps time and you are intent on selling it, I wouldn't bother with a service. IMHO, keep it as you may regret selling it later... But £15k is very useful! Even if you buy a brand new one to match and pocket the rest. Think of it as recycling.

 

you cant find the box, so you are selling a priceless heirloom?

 

This is an interesting watch, being from a family ownership. And like everything, its only interesting at the right price.

The dial and bezel are not the most attractive, and so it will be hard to get a high price like the 15,000 sterling / nearly $20,000) suggested above.

The dial is hard to judge in the photos, and it might be better in real life, in which case my estimate below will be more. However as it stands I see thin, greenish plots and a dial with a mark on it. If the mark can be removed, the plots better in real life, and the dial looks attractive in real life, then the value will be more.

This is exactly the kind of watch that non-buyers will place an overly optimistic price on, potentially leaving the seller disappointed by any genuine and realistic offers that might come their way.

What this watch has going for it is that it looks correct, original and has the history. Once it is serviced and cleaned it will lose a little of that visual confirmation, though it will look nicer.

Selling a watch like this has become harder for an outsider/inheritor. The big auctions have got quite snobby about which watches to take. Ebay has become much less interesting as taxes on private sales is introduced in USA and across borders - let alone problems of payment for $5,000+.

Some of the second tier auctions might be quite good for this. Fellows, WOK, Bonhams, maybe Antiquorum.

Some direct advice to the owner:

You do not say which country you are in, so I am thinking you are in UK or USA.

Do not service it, as that will lower the value. Or at the very least you reduce the number of people interested in it.

Go and talk to the auction houses, (or send an email) and they will advise you. Once you have a price from them, you can then review the private offers you receive and balance the advantages of selling privately, (more money, quicker payment) against the security and excitement of an auction.

What you have here is not a diamond in the rough. It is (as you point out) a worn and tired example of a desirable Speedmaster in original condition. It has some quality issues with the bezel and dial and so at auction I would expect it to sell for between USD$ 7,000 and 12,000. Plus fees, but you will get the figures I quote, the Auctions will get 20 - 25% on top.

So much uncertainty in those photos, too much to give a more accurate assessment.

 

it is a beautiful piece, someone will be very happily if he got it a nice price . OP inbox full yet?

 

I don’t think @Spacefruit was unfair in any way. True that there are many Ed Whites in tired condition that are currently for sale, but that does not impact the overall condition of the present watch. It’s like saying “I got a C on my test but most kids got a D!” A C is still a C.

So with that said, am I suggesting that this is a poor example? Not at all! For some potential buyers, this will tickle their fancy. I think it’s unfair, however, to give the OP a pricing goal of $20K USD, as only a mint condition Ed White would fetch that price at the moment. In a private sale, I see this as more of a $12.5K watch (give or take 10%).

 

Just for me: Who suggested a price of US $20k?

Edit: Now, that's me... I wanted to know who mentioned the $20k, but obviously the post was deleted or edited. After having read the answers I forgot to mention that I really like this watch. And I wouldn't sell it if it was an heritage from my father, unless I needed to...

 

Thank you all for your comments. Here are more photos.

 

Thank you for your information. I have posted more photos which hopefully show more detail. It was my fathers watch. He wore it a lot when I was a child and stopped wearing I’d about 20 years ago as it was expensive to service with omega back then. It’s been in a drawer since with him wearing it on special occasions only.

 

I would really, really consider not to sell this watch.

You will never get that much honesty and history again.

If I could turn back the time regarding my mistakes, this would be a keeper, definitely.