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[Need help] Are these fake or real ?

O
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Hi everyone,

I'm new for vintage watches and I'm planning to buy my first vintage Omega. I basically have three options that I really like, but I'm not able to know if they're real or fake. Educate me please.

1. The first one is a De Ville with Cal 552. It looks great overall, but that hour markers are peeling and seem a bit uneven. I'm not sure if this is normal considering it's vintage or a sign of it being fake.
2. The second one is a Seamaster De Ville with Cal 613. My favorite one, especially that embossed case back. But it's pretty small, with diameter of just 33.5mm.
3. The third one is a Seamaster 30 with Cal 286.

I also want to know please which of these movements 552, 613, 286 is better and more worth buying. Thanks in advance!

Here are the pictures:

1. De Ville with Cal 552:
image_editor_1719474501147_edit_440605571175997.jpg image_editor_1719474503643_edit_440621236392140.jpg image_editor_1719474506901.jpg image_editor_1719474511041.jpg


2. Seamaster De Ville with 613
image_editor_1719474732732.jpg image_editor_1719474743174.jpg image_editor_1719474752950.jpg


3. Seamaster 30 with Cal 286
image_editor_1719474873871.jpg image_editor_1719474868830.jpg image_editor_1719474866151.jpg
 
JimInOz
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All three are genuine Omega.
All three movements are from a time when Omega movements were highly regarded.

The 552 movement may have a worn rotor bushing due to the wear on the rotor.
Other than that they look OK to me from a brief review but more opinions will help give you more information.
 
onlyomega94
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All are genuine and I believe the dials have not been repainted. All three calibres are high quality and to me choosing between the three would not be a question of what calibre I would rather have.

Here is an evaluation of each watch
1. The De Ville is missing its bezel. You won't find that anywhere and it's definitely not worth the hassle trying. Pass.

2. I personally wouldn't buy a 33.5mm SMDV as these are harder to resell should the day come when you need to get your money out and there are plenty of good 34mm examples out there. Also, the dial has some spotting/patina which should be reflected in the price.

3. The SM30 appears to have quite heavily polished lugs and patination on the edges of the dial. There are much better options out there so this would also be a pass for me.

Just my two cents. Remember it's always a matter of whether you like a watch or not.
 
O
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Thanks for your advice, it's been really helpful. Could you please also take a look at these two watches for me?

4. SM501: The dial and case have quite a few blemishes, but they're acceptable to me. I'm just concerned about the dirty stuff on the movement, does it mean the movement is in poor condition? If I take it to a watchmaker for cleaning, can they get rid of that dirt ?
image_editor_1719482706481.jpg image_editor_1719482362982.jpg image_editor_1719482371783.jpg image_editor_1719483476518.jpg image_editor_1719483480226.jpg

5. gold plated SM286: It looks just perfect on the dial and case, but the movement is also dirty. What do you think about it.
image_editor_1719482805836.jpg image_editor_1719482816503.jpg image_editor_1719483466332.jpg

onlyomega94 onlyomega94
All are genuine and I believe the dials have not been repainted. All three calibres are high quality and to me choosing between the three would not be a question of what calibre I would rather have.

Here is an evaluation of each watch
1. The De Ville is missing its bezel. You won't find that anywhere and it's definitely not worth the hassle trying. Pass.

2. I personally wouldn't buy a 33.5mm SMDV as these are harder to resell should the day come when you need to get your money out and there are plenty of good 34mm examples out there. Also, the dial has some spotting/patina which should be reflected in the price.

3. The SM30 appears to have quite heavily polished lugs and patination on the edges of the dial. There are much better options out there so this would also be a pass for me.

Just my two cents. Remember it's always a matter of whether you like a watch or not.

it?
 
O
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Thank you, your advice help me a lot, do you mind to give some more advice to the 2 watches that I just posted in this thread please ?

JimInOz JimInOz
All three are genuine Omega.
All three movements are from a time when Omega movements were highly regarded.

The 552 movement may have a worn rotor bushing due to the wear on the rotor.
Other than that they look OK to me from a brief review but more opinions will help give you more information.
T
JimInOz JimInOz
All three are genuine Omega.
All three movements are from a time when Omega movements were highly regarded.

The 552 movement may have a worn rotor bushing due to the wear on the rotor.
Other than that they look OK to me from a brief review but more opinions will help give you more information.
 
Davidt
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The last two are both genuine but have repainted dials and should be avoided. No.4 has a completely crapped out case as well.

These watches aren’t quite different. It would be worth narrowing it down to a couple of models you like and focussing on those. Condition will play a major part in whether a vintage watch is a good buy or not.
 
onlyomega94
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Davidt Davidt
The last two are both genuine but have repainted dials and should be avoided. No.4 has a completely crapped out case as well.

These watches aren’t quite different. It would be worth narrowing it down to a couple of models you like and focussing on those. Condition will play a major part in whether a vintage watch is a good buy or not.
Completely agree with this. Both watches have repainted dials which would be a no-go for me (and most collectors). It's really good advice to start by finding a reference you like and then begin searching for a nice condition example of that reference.
 
Gabguzro
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It seems you liked the SMDV, so maybe focus on that one and try to find one you like in a bigger size?

Chasing a vintage piece requires patience, but you're doing the right thing by asking for opinions here 👍
 
DaveK
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O Oreland
Thank you, your advice help me a lot, do you mind to give some more advice to the 2 watches that I just posted in this thread please ?


T

You will find a lot of value in reading this thread, https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish.52603/ and https://omegaforums.net/threads/worst-redials.2304/ and many others here on the forum. Half the fun is educating yourself on what you’re looking for.

You’ve shown a stainless steel watch, gold plated, date or no date, thick lugs or dressier thin lugs… your selections may seem similar to you, but in time you’ll come to see that they are completely different moods and looks. Take your time to find what you really want. Enjoy the journey 👍
 
Dan S
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As noted, the first three look fine and the last two have repainted dials. You will have to make your own choice about which one to buy, based on price and personal taste.
 
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