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Nice looking 168.024 in Japan?

iosist
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Hi again OF,

I wanted to ask for some opinions on another Seamaster reference 168.024. It's shot in the style typical of Japanese sellers which I've learned can often hide things, but this one looks nicer than the others. Visible brushing on sides of lugs, clean dial, no visible rust or damage, movement looks relatively clean and gasket relatively fresh. Big scratch on the caseback but the embossing looks crisp - maybe the scratch is just "honest"? The seller is asking $1,300. Still would want a service soon but I've learned that outside of a few very mindful dealers on this forum and elsewhere, that is basically par for the course. What do folks think?

s-l1200 (23).webp s-l1200 (24).webp s-l1200 (25).webp s-l1200 (26).webp s-l1200 (27).webp s-l1200 (28).webp s-l1200 (29).webp s-l1200 (30).webp s-l1200 (31).webp
Edited:
 
iosist
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Noticed in the description that the seller states the watch is running +58 sec/day. So is definitely want it serviced as soon as possible. Chronotek which I am quite close to told me over the phone that their average service cost for this watch was around $700. It also sounded like that level of service was on watches that needed quite a lot done including replacing aftermarket crowns and crystals with factory versions. It sounded to me like in reality the service could be a bit cheaper, but the watchmaker wanted to make sure I my expectations were tempered. I think I could also likely find a much cheaper service by shipping it somewhere, but I do like the idea of finding someone local if anyone has any other Philadelphia recommendations. Many of those previously spoken about on this forum are now closed.
 
calalum
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1300 yen? How much is that in real money? And don't forget to factor in the tariffs.
 
AG77
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The watch looks good to me. I can't tell if it has an original crystal with logo. Which I always find charming. 58 seconds is WAY off spec tho, so a service is required there. Pictures are overexposed, par for the course it seems.
 
iosist
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AG77 AG77
The watch looks good to me. I can't tell if it has an original crystal with logo. Which I always find charming. 58 seconds is WAY off spec tho, so a service is required there. Pictures are overexposed, par for the course it seems.
I've actually already bought myself a correct OEM crystal 😜 figured I'd need it sooner or later anyway and the prices will only rise
 
AG77
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iosist iosist
I've actually already bought myself a correct OEM crystal 😜 figured I'd need it sooner or later anyway and the prices will only rise
The bracelet also looks really clean and the end links seem to sit well. These bracelets get especially rattley when they aren't flush to the case.
 
HorsinTime
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Appear to be some light scratches on the bezel (under the five o' clock marker) and the right-bottom lug, which wouldn't bother me at all on a watch I was going to wear (and I always figure that light scratches are a good sign, because nobody has tried to polish them out).

Tariff situation will be interesting, especially now that the de minimus exception has ended and Japan Post and DHL Japan are no longer accepting packages to the US.
 
iosist
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calalum calalum
1300 yen? How much is that in real money? And don't forget to factor in the tariffs.
Apologies, USD. And thank you for reminding me about the tariffs which at the current rate effectively bring the price to $1,500 which is well above what I've gathered to be a good price for an unserviced example. Part of me does wonder though if my price expectations simply aren't calibrated to the current market - after all I'm basing them largely on older forum posts. Could this just be the new reality for these references?
 
AG77
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$1500 for this reference is in the acceptable range. On the higher end of the range. Nice ones aren't being given away and usually sell pretty fast. I saw one sold on this forum last week, close to this price and sold in a day or two.
 
Porteroso
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I would not want to pay that much, but it might be worth that much. Very nice watch.

Be prepared to pay the duty/tariff fee. I am not sure it is true that Japan Post stopped shipping to the United States, unless that happened in the past week. I received a package a few days ago, no tariff or duty charged. But you might be charged, all the same.
 
M
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Porteroso Porteroso
I am not sure it is true that Japan Post stopped shipping to the United States, unless that happened in the past week.
Japan Post will temporarily suspend acceptance of parcels and EMS (goods) to the United States starting August 27.

Individual gifts valued over USD 100

Goods intended for sale or consumption

However, letters, postcards, printed matter, EMS (documents), and parcels/EMS (goods) valued under USD 100 for personal gifts will continue to be accepted.
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2025/0825_01_en.html
 
iosist
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Porteroso Porteroso
I would not want to pay that much, but it might be worth that much. Very nice watch.
Well put.
M mountainunder
Japan Post will temporarily suspend acceptance of parcels and EMS (goods) to the United States starting August 27.

Individual gifts valued over USD 100

Goods intended for sale or consumption

However, letters, postcards, printed matter, EMS (documents), and parcels/EMS (goods) valued under USD 100 for personal gifts will continue to be accepted.
https://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/information/2025/0825_01_en.html
I did inquire with the seller about the this yesterday the 29th of August. They told that they are still shipping packages to the US (perhaps by means other than Japan Post) but that I should expect to pay full import duties. From the stories I'm reading online these duties seem to have been charged inconsistently until now, but I still do need to factor them in.
 
iosist
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According to the seller the initial price also didn't include Japanese sales tax of 10%, which brings the total cost to $1,600 😵‍💫. If the Swiss country of origin tarrif of 39% is applied instead of the Japanese one, it would be about $1,900...

Anyone notice this yellowish discoloration at the back end of the minute hand? Don't think I've seen anything like that before. The hour hand also has some unattractive oxidizing happening on one end which I didn't notice last night.

s-l1200 (23)~2.webp
Edited:
 
SOG53
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IMO if you’re expecting like new hands on high magnification on watch of this age you will be looking far longer than you already have
 
iosist
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AG77 AG77
$1500 for this reference is in the acceptable range. On the higher end of the range. Nice ones aren't being given away and usually sell pretty fast. I saw one sold on this forum last week, close to this price and sold in a day or two.
There have been a couple in similar condition which sold on this forum this month, but they were both just serviced and closer to $1,100-$1,200. But I would of course expect to pay a premium on eBay versus a private collector sale.
 
Porteroso
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As far as that hand goes, you could ask to get a magnified picture of it. I bet the hands are plated, and the plating is worn.. it would not bother me or be something I asked for a discount for, because I have to assume a patient search for better hands would good results, if i decided differently once I had the watch.

And it's good to know about the temporary suspension! I'm glad I told buyee to ship when I did.
 
AG77
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I agree with this; when vintage watches are too perfect it raises alarms and suspicion, when they show honest wear it's seen as a defect to avoid. It's a nice watch and on your wrist you certainly aren't going to see any marks or discoloration on the hands. Hell, I can't even read the date on these things.
 
iosist
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Porteroso Porteroso
As far as that hand goes, you could ask to get a magnified picture of it. I bet the hands are plated, and the plating is worn.. it would not bother me or be something I asked for a discount for, because I have to assume a patient search for better hands would good results, if i decided differently once I had the watch.

And it's good to know about the temporary suspension! I'm glad I told buyee to ship when I did.
That's interesting. The hands probably wouldn't bother me much, but I'm trying to be thorough. How would one go about searching for a better handset anyway? Doner watch? Or do they have a parts number? I thought I'd read somewhere that finding and replacing the hands on thesewas exceedingly difficult and usually not worth the expense - to say nothing of the "originality" question (which would not particularly bother me).
 
AG77
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Omega does sell new watches (Aqua Terra 38mm, Seamaster 1948, 2025 Railmaster 38mm) that are vintage inspired. Maybe a route for you to consider or try on in a AD. You won't leave with a watch for $1500 but it will be new, no guesswork to be done.
 
iosist
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AG77 AG77
Omega does sell new watches (Aqua Terra 38mm, Seamaster 1948, 2025 Railmaster 38mm) that are vintage inspired. Maybe a route for you to consider or try on in a AD. You won't leave with a watch for $1500 but it will be new, no guesswork to be done.
I did do a bit of research down this path but nothing I found really came close to capturing what I like about these vintage Omega references. Trying them in person might be fun anyway but I don't think it'd scratch the itch I have. I get the business logic behind Omega going "vintage-inspired" rather than one-for-one vintage re-releases, but I still want to taste the Real Thing.
 
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