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My Early Seamaster 120 Divers. What to look for and what to avoid.

TNTwatch
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Aussie Aussie
Hi all. Thanks for the valuable info on this thread, I was considering this watch for sale just down the road from me. But now see it as a fake. Am I correct in assuming as much ? (Seller is claiming a fully restored watch). No pic of movement.
Screenshot_2019-09-17-23-37-43-33_801f28eb9241a3b9f99f86d45218c87a.png Screenshot_2019-09-17-23-33-17-85_801f28eb9241a3b9f99f86d45218c87a.png Screenshot_2019-09-17-23-38-00-70_801f28eb9241a3b9f99f86d45218c87a.png Screenshot_2019-09-17-23-33-03-09_801f28eb9241a3b9f99f86d45218c87a.png
Shabbaz Shabbaz
Run like hell! ::facepalm1::
hmmmcamu hmmmcamu
NO .... NO ... NO ....... parts are not real
Watchout312 Watchout312
Run quick. The dial is fake (notice the grey lettering) the bezel is fake (too new and untouched). It resembles the many fakes surfacing on Etsy and other auction sites.

Find something in good condition where the patina on the dial matches both the hour markers and hands. Look for the notches on the side of the case by the crown and re read all of the valuable info in this thread.

Good luck, it’s a lot of work finding a good one, but the payoff is worth it.
Beside the the lume pip difference in the first picture, nothing looks fake on this watch. You guys needs to study this model family more carefully.
 
X350 XJR
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I'll start and end with the most obvious, bezels for these have been NLA from Omega for at least 10-15 years, so the dozens of these supposedly "mint" examples popping up over the last five or so years scream fake.
 
Watchout312
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TNTwatch TNTwatch
Beside the the lume pip difference in the first picture, nothing looks fake on this watch. You guys needs to study this model family more carefully.

I researched this watch quite a bit before purchasing mine and while I respect your opinion, I disagree completely. The Dial, the grey writing and the lume are clearly fake.
 
Shabbaz
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TNTwatch TNTwatch
Beside the the lume pip difference in the first picture, nothing looks fake on this watch. You guys needs to study this model family more carefully.
So you're saying the bezel is not fake? I did study this model quite extensively because it's one of my favourite models. This is also the reason I had a lot of them. And if that bezel is not fake I will eat my shoe...
 
TNTwatch
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Watchout312 Watchout312
I researched this watch quite a bit before purchasing mine and while I respect your opinion, I disagree completely. The Dial, the grey writing and the lume are clearly fake.
The grey writing and the lume are different in colour, but that alone does not indicate a fake dial. Show your proofs of it being fake along with side-by-side a real one.
 
TNTwatch
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
So you're saying the bezel is not fake? I did study this model quite extensively because it's one of my favourite models. This is also the reason I had a lot of them. And if that bezel is not fake I will eat my shoe...
I didn't say the bezel is not fake, just said the lume looks different (implying the bezel may or may not be fake). Since you've studied it a lot, let's point out what else from the bezel saying it fake.
 
Shabbaz
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TNTwatch TNTwatch
I didn't say the bezel is not fake, just said the lume looks different (implying the bezel may or may not be fake). Since you've studied it a lot, let's point out what else from the bezel saying it fake.
Triangle around pip too short
Black outerrim bezel
Font '3' from '30'.
 
Shabbaz
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You agree with the fact the pip was changed right? So if the bezel is original it was damaged over time. But the rest is like nos with a black outerrim. Bullshit watch IMO. No way the rest of the bezel would be like new.

Edit: you agree with the fact the pip does not belong to a 120? So two options: 1) pip was changed on a original bezel; 2) fake bezel. So if the bezel is original it was damaged over time. But the rest is like nos with a black outerrim. Bullshit watch IMO. No way the rest of the bezel would be like new.
Edited:
 
TNTwatch
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
You agree with the fact the pip was changed right? So if the bezel is original it was damaged over time. But the rest is like nos with a black outerrim. Bullshit watch IMO. No way the rest of the bezel would be like new.

Edit: you agree with the fact the pip does not belong to a 120? So two options: 1) pip was changed on a original bezel; 2) fake bezel. So if the bezel is original it was damaged over time. But the rest is like nos with a black outerrim. Bullshit watch IMO. No way the rest of the bezel would be like new.
I admit the lume pip's difference leads to other clues of this watch being suspicious and fake.
 
Watchout312
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TNTwatch TNTwatch
I admit the lume pip's difference leads to other clues of this watch being suspicious and fake.

I think it’s important also to address the grey writing, while I cannot 100% confirm that the grey writing dials are fake, I can make a very educated assumption that an overwhelming amount of vintages pieces have white writing. This includes ones in great shape and ones in not so great shape.

All grey lettering dials appear on the watches that are labeled “like new” and “NOS”. The grey also appears on some very sketchy Etsy and eBay sellers who are labeling their fakes as like new.

So I would advise members looking for an authentic Seamaster 120 to read this thread and “Say Na To The Grey”.
 
COYI
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Looks pretty white to me
C5D01A9C-FCF6-49AA-AA1D-39B756D76C19.jpeg
Avery nice example.
Where did you find the hands, they're a good match for the dial?
Did the bracelet come with the watch - if so it was a real steal?
 
S.H.
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Watchout312 Watchout312
I think it’s important also to address the grey writing, while I cannot 100% confirm that the grey writing dials are fake, I can make a very educated assumption that an overwhelming amount of vintages pieces have white writing. This includes ones in great shape and ones in not so great shape.

All grey lettering dials appear on the watches that are labeled “like new” and “NOS”. The grey also appears on some very sketchy Etsy and eBay sellers who are labeling their fakes as like new.

So I would advise members looking for an authentic Seamaster 120 to read this thread and “Say Na To The Grey”.

This is my opinion too. Too many "grey dials" on suspicious watches. My own for reference, printing is white:

830344-b1bbd5d90cca60ed4f90dcb4fde48ce6.jpg
 
JwRosenthal
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COYI COYI
Avery nice example.
Where did you find the hands, they're a good match for the dial?
Did the bracelet come with the watch - if so it was a real steal?
Thanks. Hands were courtesy of a fellow member. Bracelet is a JB Champion- wish it were the Omega flatlink but those have all been snatched up by the grubby fingers of Speedy guys 😒
 
COYI
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It's great that a forum member was able you help you out with the hands as they look much better than the modern replacements from Omega.

I'm looking for 547 endlinks for a 1098 bracelet if anyone has a spare link or two.
 
jeppehh
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COYI COYI
I'm looking for 547 endlinks for a 1098 bracelet if anyone has a spare link or two.
The 540 are also correct for the 1098 and can be purchased from Omega still if you’re interested.

If not, I’ll see you on eBay fighting for the 547s. 😉
 
COYI
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jeppehh jeppehh
The 540 are also correct for the 1098 and can be purchased from Omega still if you’re interested.

If not, I’ll see you on eBay fighting for the 547s. 😉

Do the 540 endlinks fit the seamster 120 166.027?
 
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