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

Sa Calobra
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Nice discussion indeed. I was hunting for a SM120 for a while about a year ago, and indeed had taken @Shabbaz's 2k guideline in mind as well. I found ok examples with bracelet in the 2300-2700 range, but all still had some flaws. Ended up paying about 3k for a serviced head only, but with in my view, a state of the lume that was a lot nicer than what was on the market - happy to pay that premium, even though I know it was not a good deal.
I think the Catawiki buyer did fine, because the state of the lume on that example was also a lot better than most out there. But i agree it wasn't a bargain.
 
WhatsApp Image 2022-10-13 at 11.08.47.jpeg
JwRosenthal
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Sa Calobra Sa Calobra
Nice discussion indeed. I was hunting for a SM120 for a while about a year ago, and indeed had taken @Shabbaz's 2k guideline in mind as well. I found ok examples with bracelet in the 2300-2700 range, but all still had some flaws. Ended up paying about 3k for a serviced head only, but with in my view, a state of the lume that was a lot nicer than what was on the market - happy to pay that premium, even though I know it was not a good deal.
I think the Catawiki buyer did fine, because the state of the lume on that example was also a lot better than most out there. But i agree it wasn't a bargain.
These real world purchase values from people who have bought them recently is what we need to know to asses real market value. We can theorize all day, but what people are actually paying for these is what the market value really is.
 
Davidt
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Are you quoting € or $? Then again, I suppose they’re the same now!

Certainly an interesting discussion as good examples of the SM120 do seem to be hard to find. Happily both mine have lovely lume as well. Both are away (or shortly going away) for a long over due service.

C410F407-E7F6-4DF5-90F2-655C7A2DB6F4.jpeg 324957CA-C6D6-4363-947F-8393F313A660.jpeg
 
Sa Calobra
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Agree. And ofcourse there will always be 2 markets -
Davidt Davidt
Are you quoting € or $? Then again, I suppose they’re the same now!

Certainly an interesting discussion as good examples of the SM120 do seem to be hard to find. Happily both mine have lovely lume as well. Both are away (or shortly going away) for a long over due service.

C410F407-E7F6-4DF5-90F2-655C7A2DB6F4.jpeg 324957CA-C6D6-4363-947F-8393F313A660.jpeg

EUR indeed - same to USD nowadays 🙁
Both are great catches that you have there!
 
Shabbaz
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I must say that my 2k range is maybe a bit optimistic nowadays... 🙁
 
JwRosenthal
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Shabbaz Shabbaz
I must say that my 2k range is maybe a bit optimistic nowadays... 🙁
Dated- would be the word. So pre-pandemic.
 
Aludic
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Mine also cost me a bit over 2,5k EUR, including bracelet and service. Well worth it as I enjoy it greatly!

95D6176F-A39B-4809-9334-9E127CA4D29A.jpeg
 
Davidt
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.
Aludic Aludic
Mine also cost me a bit over 2,5k EUR, including bracelet and service. Well worth it as I enjoy it greatly!

95D6176F-A39B-4809-9334-9E127CA4D29A.jpeg

Dod you buy this recently? 2.5k in todays market with that dial/bezel, bracelet and serviced is very good value
 
Davidt
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The last few pictures posted have reinforced how much I like this reference.

I can’t really put my finger on why as generally I’m not a fan of the C Case type watches. It might be the fact that I prefer watches without crown guards but the 165.014 SM300 doesn’t do it for me for some reason.
The first gen SM120’s on the other hand just seem to work, and being slightly smaller the crown appears oversized which really sets it all off.
 
JwRosenthal
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Davidt Davidt
The last few pictures posted have reinforced how much I like this reference.

I can’t really put my finger on why as generally I’m not a fan of the C Case type watches. It might be the fact that I prefer watches without crown guards but the 165.014 SM300 doesn’t do it for me for some reason.
The first gen SM120’s on the other hand just seem to work, and being slightly smaller the crown appears oversized which really sets it all off.
I’ve always felt that the SM120 is really the little brother of the original ‘57 SM300 design language- it’s far more “Omega” than the 024 300 which was made to a Mil-spec and not really a design that is truly Omega IMO. Of course I will be stoned and flogged for that statement, but put the three together and you will see what I mean.
 
COYI
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I enquired about a 166.027 recently and I was a bit shocked when the seller offered to sell it to me for €8k. It is a particularly rare configuration but the hands weren't even correct. I see the price has now increased to €10.5k presumably due to the high inflation rate in Europe 🙁
 
JwRosenthal
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COYI COYI
I enquired about a 166.027 recently and I was a bit shocked when the seller offered to sell it to me for €8k. It is a particularly rare configuration but the hands weren't even correct. I see the price has now increased to €10.5k presumably due to the high inflation rate in Europe 🙁
That’s just insulting.
 
Davidt
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COYI COYI
I enquired about a 166.027 recently and I was a bit shocked when the seller offered to sell it to me for €8k. It is a particularly rare configuration but the hands weren't even correct. I see the price has now increased to €10.5k presumably due to the high inflation rate in Europe 🙁

That’s utterly ridiculous
 
JwRosenthal
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Davidt Davidt
That’s utterly ridiculous
Flash forward to 2025 and someone reading this thread will say- ha, an SM120 for €10k, what a steal! That’s cheaper than a gallon of gas….those were the days.
 
JwRosenthal
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Davidt Davidt
There’s one from Closer with bracelet, nice dial and bezel and even correct crown at $3.5k which hasn’t sold. This suggests (to me at least) these haven’t actually broken the 3k barrier

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26590715...aMjpz0rSAy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

E2182EC7-3C30-4185-812E-7EB15A1A6747.png
Black date wheel, correct bracelet, bright lume, bezel is in great shape with Pearl…someone is going to break down and have to have it after months of sifting through shit.
 
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Davidt
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Black date wheel, correct bracelet, bright lume, bezel is in great shape with Pearl…someone is going to break down and have to have it after months of sifting through shit.

I was tempted myself but I can’t justify 3 of the buggers and UK import duty will add a third to the price
 
JwRosenthal
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Davidt Davidt
I was tempted myself but I can’t justify 3 of the buggers and UK import duty will add a third to the price
There used to be a guy who consigned at the local record shop. His records were always in excellent shape and usually titles that were really tough to get (obscure pressings or first edition runs). His prices were always about 20-30% more than what most people thought was market rate- so they sat for a little longer- but always ended up selling. He had several albums that I would say “dammit- I’m not paying that markup!”, then a month would go by and couldn’t find it anywhere else and I would just hand over my money and buy the damn thing.
 
Davidt
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Ha true. Thankfully I can resist as my search has been fruitful. Had the Closer one have popped up first it may have been a more difficult decision.
 
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