Wanted to share my recent purchase with everyone, in which I think I managed to get a decent deal. I attached the auction photos below, but will add my own once I receive it.

The bad as I can tell: It has been re-lumed at some point, which was not a deal breaker for me. I do wish they hadn't but oh well... The numbers on the bezel are worn off, but can still be faintly seen, and the 80's style stretchy band. Will most likely go leather strap.

The good: Case looks sharp and only lightly polished. Movement is appears to be an original 552 , and case back is stamped 165.024. Very clean, so I'm thinking it was serviced recently. Looks like they may have replaced a few parts in there. Will have to take a closer look when I get it. Crown looks right and the 6 and 9 have open serifs. Crystal appears original as I can see the omega stamp in the center.

Definitely not perfect, but should make a nice wearer! For sub 4k, I think it was a good buy.

 

The dial looks ok for me.
For less than 4k i think it is a good deal.
Do you plan to restore it?

 

Why do you think it was re-lumed?

 

I believe it said so in the listing, looks like it'll be difficult to tell on the wrist.

 

Even though it said in the description, I'm not so sure about that claim.
Seller obviously is not a great photographer...

 

I agree, it may not have been re-lumed. The lume is applied directly to the dial on this reference and all the plots on this watch look very symmetric and clean. Not all Tritium ages the same way so this may in fact be how the dial looks.

Would be interesting to see it under black light once you get the watch to see the rate at which the bezel/dial/hands fade in relation to each other.

 

Thanks! I plan on taking it to my watchmaker for a full service, then wear it in the current visual condition. I would like to get the bezel re-done, or try and find one with un-worn numbers to replace it with.

It was in the listing as speedamatuer said. Might not be so convinced, will have to get some better pictures when it arrives and let you all know.

+1 they seem to like light reflections... Might have helped me get a better deal.

I'm hoping this is the case. The seller did state the below quote about the lume. Not really sure how to take that lol...

"Dial markers and hands were professionally re-lumed by Omega at some point, and so they do glow slightly, and have the same pale green shade that they had when new. The original bezel insert shows the patina of years, but all numbers are still legible. See photos of this fantastic vintage Seamaster!"

 

4k with or without fees/duties/shipping/taxes?

 

Well, it sure looks like the pin holes are there.
I don't know if the seller knows for a fact this has been re-lumed or is just assuming given the Greenish shade of the Tritium (vs. the more common Yellowish patina) but you do find these dials with lume that has that type of Greenish shade. Not the first one I've seen...

Plus, the pictures are horrible. Too overexposed, and the White background actually looks a tad Bluish which means the camera was not white-balanced before taking the pictures. (Yellow + Blue = Green).
It is highly likely that these plots will actually look a lot more Yellowish in person than in the listing pictures.

 

It's a US seller, so only domestic shipping. I paid just shy of $3700 with shipping.

Thanks for the insight ndgal! Would each marker have a pin hole, or just 12 and 6?

 

Just 12 & 6

 

A great deal, COA and post great pix when you can, and don't fret over the bezel, it was used as intended as was mine.

 

Thanks TexOmega! Will do, and certainly love the look of yours. What strap is that? Very interesting.

Side note, as a fellow Texan, love the screen name!

 

Olongapo bracelet( personalized)and it came with the watch. The emblem at 6 states it was worn by a US Diver 1st class, and the Omega extract places delivery 1967, so used in SE Asia by a Naval or Marine soldier in my estimation.

Google Olongapo bracelet.

View attachment 649002

New pix today



And, Thank You...south of the Red, north of the Brazos.

 

Well, one big part was replaced for sure. Ever seen a chronometer texted upper bridge on a cal 552? Makes me wonder what else was changed ... did you get the serial number from the seller?

 

Unfortunately I did not get the serial number. It is "hidden" in the movement picture behind the rotor, as well as the "2" in the 552, which was concerning. They advertised it as having "original 552 movement", so my guess is someone had it serviced where parts were most likely replaced.

I noticed the text on the upper bridge you're referring to. Would that be from another Omega movement, or could it just be a NOS part had been used?

 

The upper bridge is most likely from a cal 551

 

Did some googling, so I'm reading the main difference in the two movements is the 551 was sent off to be certified, while the 552 was not. Assuming the upper bridge is interchangeable. Certainly not original... Doesn't make sense why they would replace that, seems like a part that would be better refurbished vs replaced.

If it had been sent to Omega, do you think they may have done this? Hoping I am not running into a "Franken Watch" situation. I tried to do as much research as possible to pick up an original... If the upper bridge is the only piece, I'm not going to sweat it.

 

Very unlikely the bridge was replaced with a wrong part by Omega. At a local watchmaker back in the day or more recently... more likely.
Anyway, if you post the serial when you get the watch, more could be established in regards to what level of "Franken" we are looking at.

 

Will do, appreciate the insight!