Just purchased a Seamaster Cosmic from ebay, and while I'm incredibly happy with the quality of the watch overall, when the watch arrived the movement is lose. I've never encountered this before. When I wind the crown, the dial moves roughly 2 to 5 degrees. Picture of the movement is below. I'm trying to quickly determine if this is an easy fix, or if I need to look into returning it to the seller. @Archer does anything stick out to you as a major issue that would prevent this movement from properly mounting? As always - thank you all!

 

Should these have a brass ring that the movement locks onto with a slight twist?

 

Does the crown fit properly? If the gasket inside the crown is perished it could allow some slight rotation of the movement. Also if the two pieces of the split stem are worn this could also allow the movement to rotate slightly.

 

Looks like there are two case clips (top and bottom of the movement picture) - if one isn't rotated into place, under a lip, then the movement could rotate...

If you pop off the back you should be able to tell if this is the case.

 

Thanks so much! I'll check these out this evening. I was hesitant to have anyone look at it because I'm still within the return window, but I love the rest of the watch enough that I think I'll gamble a bit and have it looked at. I called my local watchmaker and these are all fairly minor things to fix, if they are indeed the issue. Thanks again!

 

Maybe it's because it should have a 752, not a 601 movement.

That's not a fairly minor thing to fix.

 

Hahahahahahahahahaha! I think the OP needs a lesson in what post-1962 Omega reference numbers mean! Here's the first 3 digits:

1 = man's watch
6 = self winding center seconds
6 = water resistant case w/ date

@jrhave2 - you bought a frankenwatch, and the quack / butcher who created it didn't even bother putting an automatic inside. No freakin' wonder it doesn't fit correctly!

 

Here's a scan of the page in AJTT (originally from the OmegaMania auction) that shows the codes, courtesy of www.omega-fanatics.com:

 

Holy hell. There are several things that are both funny and sad about this:

1. I know better. I did exactly what @ConElPueblo and dozens of others have warned against on this forum. I decided not to put any of my knowledge to use, and because the seller had tons of positive feedback and was in AUS, I threw in a bid. I've been on here for over a year, have made several successful purchases, and still have clearly learned nothing LOL. I hang my head in shame .
2. Mostly, this was out of frustration that I've been looking for a specific piece for 6+ months, and haven't found one yet worth buying. I had the itch to buy and so I did. Again, I've been warned about this behavior multiple times and did it anyway.
3. I was so caught up in the usual analysis (Redial? Movement Issues? Signs of damage? etc...) that I didn't even pay attention to the damn reference numbers, or do a simple search to ensure it was the correct movement. I completely deserve the flogging from @ulackfocus on this. Fortunately, this wasn't an expensive mistake.

All of that aside. Do I return the watch so the seller can just send it back out into the market when another poor soul doesn't do the research? I'm tempted to negotiate a partial refund just to prevent this from going back out onto ebay. Thoughts? Maybe I should take one for the team.

 

No

 

It's okay. This place is like confession - once you admit your sins, we (kinda) forgive you. Everyone makes mistakes regardless of experience.

That itch needs to be tempered with patience. If it's worth anything to you, I spent YEARS searching out the best examples of vintage Longines (as several members who now own them can attest). Having drive is great. Being impetuous is not.

Again, it's an error that anyone can make. It's almost like you need a checklist of what to inspect for every damn vintage watch!

*Consider yourself part of the Club. A flogging from me is a badge of honor for some.

Answering that is easy - do you think you'll need the parts and is the price low enough to use it as a parts watch? If that answer is yes, then keep it. If the answer is no (and it should be if over $150), then return it.

 

If it helps I've made worse purchases, in one case an Omega that didn't even have an Omega movement.

If you like the case maybe you can hold onto it and wait and see if a movement/dial/hands pop up on ebay. You can always sell the 601 to offset the purchase of the other movement.

 

If the seller will work with me a little, I think I'll do just that. It's a shame - each component on it's own is in great shape. I tested the movement yesterday and it was incredibly accurate over 24 hours. The case is sharp and you can still see the original brushing in the sunlight. If nothing else, this might turn into 3 separate projects for the future! Thanks again for all the help.

 

Absolutely, return it. If he's an honest seller he'll apologise profusely, take it back and sell it as parts. If not, well taking one for the team is very noble and all that but nobody is ever going to thank you, and if he was happy to sell you a franken watch then holding onto it won't stop him selling another, maybe several. King Canute couldn't stop the tide and you can't either. There is nothing wrong with looking after yourself.

 

My suggestion would be to return the watch. Nice and correct examples can be easily found. Trying to fix a franken would be throwing good money after bad.

 

You'll regret buying that watch at some point in the near future, so return it now while you can. It will just end up costing you hundreds and hundreds of dollars if you try to make it right, and even then it'll sit, forgotten, in a drawer or box.

 

I think you should return it.
While the description and the photographs clearly show what you purchased, some of the statements in the description are clearly incorrect (Underlined/Italics by me).

Just be polite and tell the seller you had the watch checked by a number of experienced Omega collectors who pointed out the issues and you would like to return the watch.

Rare Vintage Untouched OMEGA Seamaster Cosmic Manual Wind S/Steel Mens Wrist Watch (Not correct, the watch is not "untouched" and it should be an automatic).
Takes Full Wind ~ All Functions Work Correctly
In Excellent Original Untouched Condition (Not correct, the movement/dial has been changed out for a different one).
With Original Finish Visible
Correct 40mm x 35mm Signed Case (Not correct for a caliber 601, the case should house a caliber 752).
Clear Seahorse To Caseback
Serial No 250 xxx xx Dates To 1967
Clean Omega Calibre 601 17 Jewel Movement (Not correct for this case/reference).
Clear Original Omega Plexi Crystal
Has Minor Blemishes ~ See Pics ~
Superb Original Steel Blue Dial (Not original to this reference, it should be a day/date dial).
Original Omega Winding Crown
On New Unworn Black Leather Strap
Fits Up To 7.75 Inch Wrist

 

Link to the authoritative reference.

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-cosmic-st-166-0035

Note that the watch shown is a graphic placeholder awaiting a photograph of the reference.
Note that the use of an extra zero (166.0035 vs 166.035) is how Omega references the number in its database.