Hello,
After almost a year of trying to decide which watch should I buy in my budget and after I thought about so many kinds of watches I've decided that the most special watch is a vintage piece and Omega is one of my favorite brands.
As a poor student that never had a watch my knowledge is limited and especially in vintage watches and therefore I wanted to consult with the experts here.
I'm looking for a steel white dial 36-38mm Seamaster, If possible to find a chrono in my budget (up to 1000$) I would be glad to know.
Can you recommend about models that I should look for? I have some photos to illustrate what im looking for in general but similar models in my budget range will be welcomed.
I will also be glad for recommendations to a quality colareb strap that will match the watch.
Thanks alot!
Photos:
https://imgur.com/j2RXYDv
https://imgur.com/a/mdVj2Ty
https://imgur.com/a/7J0cyJ4
https://imgur.com/a/m1DrwsS
https://imgur.com/a/VAIAhnC

 

Please don't post links. Post the images directly here. I have reproduced them below as it is your first time.

 

As for your question. There are very nice vintage (non-Omega) chronographs in your price range. There are also very nice Seamasters in your price range, I don't think you will be able to get a Seamaster Chronograph for under $1000.

Spend a while around here looking at vintage watches and the various sticky threads. Read this: https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish.52603/ and try to decide what kind of model you would like to buy, before buying, make sure to double check back here and you should have a great first watch.

Best of luck

 

Not going to find a chrono in that range. I would check the private watch sales section. There are a couple of Seamasters being sold that almost fit the bill. 36-38mm aren't that common in older Seamasters
https://omegaforums.net/forums/private-watch-sales/

 

Thanks alot guys.
What would be a reasonable price for a chrono like the one on the first and fourth picture? if it's not far away from ny budget I might stretch it a bit.

 

I think you are looking at around 3x your budget. I am not fully abreast of the prices of 321 seamasters, but looking at recent sales on this forum both here (https://omegaforums.net/threads/sold-omega-321-caliber-seamaster-chronograph-serviced-2900.56882/) and here (https://omegaforums.net/threads/reduced-omega-seamaster-321-chronograph-ref-145-005-67.84807/).

Perhaps for a little less you can pick up a nice 176.007, which is from a later period.

 

The closest you will get to what you are looking for is, I‘d say, an Omega Dynamic Chrono. Not a vintage watch but very similar in style & looks.

Also, you should bear in mind that most Vintage watched you buy in the bay will need at least a minor service or even larger repairs, which is less likely here.

E.g. my cosmic has cost me twice in service and repairs than I originally paid for it.

With a little searching you can find this one under 1,5k USD.

 

Give the whole thing a start with a regular (no chronograph) Seamaster (your last picture):

Its 35mm, you can get -for example- a nice 166.010 for half of your budget.

Be careful - its a minefield out there (the one you posted looks suspicious)

As advised before: Double check here before you buy anything

 

Wouldn’t a Geneve then be the better choice here ?

Huge choice under 1,000 USD

 

Agreed on the chrono’s, Anyone on this site would break their fingers getting their wallet out for a 321 chrono for $1k.
The Seamaster’s however, for under $1k you are in prime territory. For your price you can get quality Seamaster’s that are serviced and ready to roll.
Here is an example of a 38mm Seamaster (one of the biggest), from a member in this forum.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/293014871455

 

If you want to be smart, start with a three-hander in that budget range. Chronographs are great, and I have quite a few. But not only do they cost more to buy, they cost more to service, and in my experience they are more prone to need small repairs, like a totalizer hand starts to creep or jump, or hands don't reset correctly, etc.

There is something great about a classic high-quality manual-winding three-hand no-date watch for a first vintage piece. Keep it simple, buy a good one, and you'll have it in your collection for a long time.

 

Can I just ask where you are searching because over here in Europe it seems difficult to find one of these for less than 2000 euro. Beautiful watch and comes in a most interesting watch box.

 

Here’s a nice candidate on OF. You will have to dig a little deeper into your pockets, but this would be great starting point.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/ome...8-023-cal-751-sparkle-dial-chronometer.93203/

 

I think the thing is to be patient. Very occasionally a beat up Speedy mark II surfaces under 1000 but you have to be quick and be prepared to spend more money on servicing. You seem pretty stuck on Omegas...but I'd also consider it's close cousin the Lemania 2310 (321) movement Chronograph...Lovely watches, great timepieces, and a just slightly off many watch hunters radar. You might just snag one at 1000 USD....

 

Wow guys, I really want to say that you have an amazing community which I hope to be part of and gain some of your knowledge.
Thanks alot for your help, I honestly appreciate it and certainly will be patient with the purchase.
Couple of questions, someone said here that the picture of the 14710 seamaster is suspicious, why is that? I assume that the dial is repainted but it looks like they did a great job there and personally I don't care if the watch has been through some restores as long as the movement and the parts are 100% real.
You can see that watch on this video:

Second question is how much should be the cost of service to a regular three handed piece and how much should cost a service to chrono? even price range approximation will be ok.

 

I would expect a usual service to run between £150-250 for a three hander, depending on what needs doing/what movement is being serviced. I would expect a chronograph service to be between £250-450 depending on what chronograph and what needs doing.

If you don't care about a dial being repainted that is your prerogative. However almost everyone here will advise you to stay away, the dial, more than anything else represents the character of a watch, and it being repainted is eroding that character (In my opinion). You also say that as long as the movements and parts are 100% real; many here would disagree that the dial is 'real'.