Omega Flightmaster Buying Advice for Vintage Collectors

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Maverick66

·Aug 10, 2026

Hi I am new to the forum so go gently with me 😉

I am considering purchasing a Flightmaster and have a bunch of photos. I have The Flightmaster book and gone through and checked what I can.

Please could I ask for constructive comments. FWIW I appreciate the case has been over polished and it is missing the usual finish pattern and that the paint on the chrono buttons has worn off.

The video appears to show the seconds counter is out of sync with the main seconds hand.

Thanks

 

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Mark020

·Aug 10, 2026·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

It all depends on the price and how much value you put on originality

 

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Maverick66

·Aug 10, 2026

So I would like it original as possible from dial etc perspective. Price circa £2700

 

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Maverick66

·Aug 10, 2026

Mark020

It all depends on the price and how much value you put on originality

So I would like it original as possible from dial etc perspective. Price circa £2700

 

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Donn Chambers

·Aug 10, 2026

M Maverick66

Hi I am new to the forum so go gently with me 😉

…

The video appears to show the seconds counter is out of sync with the main seconds hand.

Video looks fine to me - the seconds counter will never be in synch with the running seconds hand unless you start it exactly when the small seconds hand is at 60, and even then, you are likely to be a second or so off.

 

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chrisinohio

·Aug 10, 2026

If you're OK with that heavily over polished case it's not a bad deal. But honestly, it would drive me crazy to look at that all day.

 

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cristos71

·Aug 10, 2026

I'd rather spend more on one with an original case finish.

 

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Biezmez

·Aug 10, 2026

Hi.

A great watch to have. I agree with the other comments that the over polished case would be a no go for me with this example. Best of luck with the hunt.

 

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Maverick66

·Aug 11, 2026

cristos71

I'd rather spend more on one with an original case finish.

Thanks all for your replies 🥰

How much would a professional refinish cost - if it could ever get it back to something reasonable without killing the value and at a cost that would make it worth it?

 

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Raskolnikov

·Aug 11, 2026

It's a service bracelet.

 

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Donn Chambers

·Aug 11, 2026

M Maverick66

Thanks all for your replies 🥰

How much would a professional refinish cost - if it could ever get it back to something reasonable without killing the value and at a cost that would make it worth it?

If you choose to buy this (and I agree with others that it would be better to be patient and find a better example), just send it to Omega in Bienne for a restoration and they will refinish the case properly. They will also likely want to replace the dial and hands, but should send you back the originals if you want to put them back.

But the cost of that would be close to what you are paying.

Better to pay a little more up front for a better example than to buy this one and go this route.

 

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Raskolnikov

·Aug 11, 2026

Paying a thousand bucks to let Omega switch out the only visible authentic parts of this watch (dial, hands, bezel) to get them back in a plastic bag along with a watch consisting of only service parts is not something I would do.
Not the advice a vintage collector would give. But then again, not sure he would go for this piece in the first place.
This watch could benefit from a case refinish done by a professional, an original vintage 1159/155 (11) or an 1162/172 (11) bracelet and maybe some painting of the crowns and pushers. I have heard people do it with Revell enamel paint.

 

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lindo

·Aug 12, 2026

Please hang out for a better example.. Even if you get it refinished (at considerable cost) it will never be the same as a nice original. Flightmaster prices vary a lot so wait for a nice one on eBay (Chrono24 prices are too high).

I bought this one on eBay for a very reasonable price a few years ago. A few micro nicks here and there but all original.

 

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propervinyl

·Aug 22, 2026

OP - you have gotten some great advice in this thread.

Like many people, I made mistakes when I started collecting watches years ago. Costly mistakes. All because I didn't take my time and do the research and wait for the right watch to come up.

This is not a great example - the case is heavily polished and it ruins the sharp lines that make the flightmaster great. Keep an eye out and a better one will come.

 

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Spacefruit

·Aug 23, 2026·Prolific Speedmaster Hoarder

I think £2700 is super strong for a watch in this condition. Sure go for the dial and handset, it's important. The case really lets it down - so as others said, It's just about money.

At the right price I could buy it and be happy, as I would have paid for the dial handset and movement - and valued the case at zero.

Once a highly sought after watch drops from "Good/Very Good" range the price falls dramatically. If it is a watch that is not universally sought after - like a flightmaster, then I think you have to be brutal with the seller. There is nothing special, or even slightly special about the look of this watch that would make a knowledgeable person pay a premium. Don't get me wrong, it's nice at a price, and since it has no special visual appeal, then the appeal has to be financial.

Otherwise, if you come to sell it on, it's you who is going to find out that any offer over £1500 is from someone who doesn't know what they are buying.

 

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Raskolnikov

·Aug 23, 2026

Spacefruit

Once a highly sought after watch drops from "Good/Very Good" range the price falls dramatically.

Thank you for sharing your insights on not only this specific flightmaster example, but on vintage watches in general.

 

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Schirra

·Aug 23, 2026

From a Flightmaster-specific perspective, there's a significant plus here, in my opinion: the yellow hands, which identify its professional use.

However, the case, caseback, and even the buttons need to be taken into consideration.

One might think that if the price were extremely attractive and there was room to save for a complete restoration of the case, repainting the buttons and crowns, one might even consider it. But these are crucial choices, because you would no longer have a piece in the most original condition possible, and this, I assure you, is never a pleasant feeling for a collector, and for certain types of restorations, I've since regretted it.

I also own one, with the dial without the two tritium dots at 12 o'clock, therefore previous to that one, although its finishing is not in the best possible condition, it can still be seen and I have decided not to touch it at all, as in my opinion (although I am not against restorations where necessary, as long as they are done by expert craftsmen) at this level, the case is acceptable.