New to Vintage Omega: Thoughts

Hey OF,

I’ve recently gotten into vintage Omega watches, and have spotted a model in my local vintage watch store. He is asking ~$3500 USD for it: being a 1963 Omega Seamaster in 18K rose gold that has recently been serviced and is running +/- 10 seconds/day.

Couple of questions:
- Is it worth the asking price ? If not why
- How good are rose gold vintage Omegas in terms of durability, and would this be suitable to wear on a daily basis
- Is this a redial or Frankenwatch ? I’m somewhat certain it’s a redial given it’s pristine condition, regardless how good of a redial is it ?
- What sort of accuracy is acceptable with recently serviced vintage movements such as the 552?

Any other tips and advice on what to look out for would be greatly appreciated. Apologies for the lack of knowledge, slowly beginning the journey into vintage Omega!

Hi and welcome here!

For me the dial looks original, so not a redial even it looks so good

No indication for a frankenwatch but only an extract from the archive could give a definate answer

Serial number dates the watch to around 1963 which is coherent.


Case looks quite soft due to polishing

Movement looks clean and in good shape, 10 seconds per day is OK IMO

I'm not familiar with this reference but 3500 $ seems too much

Hope that helps

You have to ask yourself what this model in similar condition in SS would cost, then add on the scrap value of the gold. Subtracting an estimated 20g for the movement and dial, I can't see there being more than 40g of gold. I am sure others will chip in if I'm out. That gives about $1670 worth of gold. For me (I'm in the UK so our prices may be a bit different) that watch is overpriced by a thousand dollars.

These are not common and that is a very good example.

Not long ago, there was an exceptionally good yellow gold/black dial Seamaster, similar vintage, for sale here in Canada. The asking price was around $2200 USD, and it sold for less.

I thought the buyer of that one did very well. This one is beautiful, but the price is a stretch. Try an offer.

I would offer $1800 usd and see what the seller says.

This watch is stunning, but I think $3500 is too much. $2000 seem more reasonable.

At most. I did say "not more than" and 40g is a generous estimate. I don't know why our gold prices are so different but the end result is still much the same.

I've done that too and it's fine as long as you know you're doing it. OP can make his choice now that he's been suitably informed.