Novice in need of advice!! - buying advice

Hi all,

I'm brand new to the forum. I'm overwhelmed that it exists and I have been scrolling for hours reading through various threads digesting information like it's candy. It's an incredible resource and I'm grateful for the acceptance.

I'm a recent enthusiast, my collection is small but diverse but always items of substance.
I'm currently trying to purchase my first vintage omega, a relatively cheap seamaster as things go. But it's still a chunk of change for me. And I would hate to shell out only to be caught out by my lack of experience. I'm hoping that some wise watchers might weigh in on my choice and advice if I'm a fool, and how much an expert would consider shelling out for the same item.
The item under consideration is :
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Om...?_trksid=p2349526.m4383.l4275.c10&_mwBanner=1

But I am also thinking of picking up this simple beauty:

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sample-title/222951301818?pb=0&du=1&ebay-mobile-status=success
(For no other reason than its incredibly simple face appeals to me-it would like sit on a shelf peaking out at me)

I would appreciate that if anyone wants to weigh in on the selection that while offering a critique that they also offer the points for which they reject/accept the piece so that going forward I can apply the same methodical thinking to future potential purchases.
Thanks all,
Kevin.

Welcome Kevin. I can't see anything wrong with that dial on that first watch. Always check out the case ref. number, which here usually seems to be Seamaster 600s or De Villes, so you'd need to do a search for examples with just plain Seamaster on the dial. However this is potentially a good, safe choice. Edited To Add: an image search for this case ref. seems to show only 600s or DVs, so tread warily and seek further advice.

I would incline to give the second one a miss. My gut instinct says it's a redial, a very good one but it looks too clean to be true, 99% of black dials are redials and it's in South America where a lot of dodgy watches come from (or just fail to turn up...). And I don't care for the M in Automatic or the placement of Swiss Made.

Edward,
Thanks for the response and input. Could you explain why the black dials may more likely be redials. That to me is quite interesting.

hi, re black dial . it looks to new. it has no patina. also, it looks like the x hair is not central to the dial..

It's called the Don Draper Effect. He wore one in the TV series Mad Men and now everybody thinks it's cool to get one. In the 60s black dials were very much in the minority and now people are redialling tired regular dials to meet the demand.

All somewhat ironic considering that the one featured in Mad Men is apparently a redial....🤔

Hi guys, everyone who has commented. Thank you all for your input. I'm going to hold off on the purchase and do my darnest to read everything on this forum before I make an educated purchase(years away I'd say) but just to say I'm overwhelmed at the genuine effort all of you have put into responding to a complete stranger. It's a wonderfully welcoming forum and it's amazing to be a part of this. I'll return the kindness in some way shape or form. But genuinely guys thanks for the welcome and advice.

Well, set an avatar, grab a cup of coffee and get to it.