Omega Geneve buying advice - 40th birthday gift

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giftwatch40

·Sun. 4:59pm

Hi all, very cool to find this forum, can see there’s amazing expertise here. I am looking to buy my partner a nice vintage watch for his 40th birthday, with a limited budget of circa £600. He’s had vintage dress watches before but nothing that expensive. I like the Omega Geneve models and am looking at a couple listings from what is apparently a UK based seller on Etsy and Chrono24. I have read up what I can about what to look for in online listings, but would hugely appreciate some direction/guidance from the good folk on here. Does the below look good? It’s ok at £645. Any and all input welcome.

Thanks!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/453...tage-watch-steel?ref=share_ios_native_control

 

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Davidt

·Sun. 5:44pm

It’s an entry level Omega still a nice quality watch with a great movement, but the case and dial are fairly basic.

That said, if my partner bought me one I’d be over the moon.

I would say that these can be found relatively easily for around £400. If paying several hundred more I’d want to know it had been serviced and was running well. It’s ok spending more to ensure an easy purchase but you don’t want to negate that by then having to send it away for two months, spending several hundred more on a service.

 

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Dan S

·Sun. 5:59pm

Looks totally legit to me.

 

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GeorgiosK

·Sun. 6:31pm

The beauty of simplicity, very stylish!

 

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Wahoo98

·Sun. 10:51pm

I love the simple 3 handers from that era, including the Geneves and Seamaster 30s, etc. I am slowly building a small collection. Just timeless and classic, and the hand winding only adds to the experience imo. Will let others with more expertise weigh in on that specific watch, but generally speaking they are really nice in hand and great watches when maintained. Wonderful gift!

 

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giftwatch40

·4:17am yesterday

Wow thanks so much all for your replies, this is incredibly helpful for someone who knows very little about watches. Much appreciated and big respect!

I’ll ask the seller if it has been recently serviced, and if so what evidence they can provide of that. Should I also plan to get it looked at once received? If so, any recommendations and/or an idea of cost? Am London based.

This watch would be for everyday wear, so it’s important it run well. Would upkeep of a watch like this be quite expensive?

 

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Spruce

·4:25am yesterday·Sunburst dial fan

I have two of these (I gifted a third to my son in law). They’re brilliant watches and the case shape wears a little bigger than the actual measurement giving it a more contemporary feel/look.

The movements are great; easy to service with parts readily available.

I’d recommend the automatic versions - a calibre 565 with a date or the 552 without a date.

That said, I think your watch looks lovely but it is overpriced. You should be able to get an automatic (manual winds are generally cheaper) for £400/500 but just check here before you actually buy it.

Good luck.

 

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giftwatch40

·5:16am yesterday

Thanks all. The seller for the watch above has said they don’t have the service history, though assured me the watch is working well and won’t need servicing for some time. Price is not negotiable, which is a shame given everyone here is clear it’s overpriced.

I’ve also seen this model, an automatic as recommended above. Similar price but again automatic rather than mechanical. Would really appreciate any thoughts people might have on this one.

Thanks!

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/geneve--id47707879.htm

 

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malilis

·5:26am yesterday

Hi ! Based on my experience and purchase, I believe these watches should not be more than 500 to 600 € Perhaps you would be able to have the forum look at the movement ?

 

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Spruce

·6:14am yesterday·Sunburst dial fan

I have an identical watch

..and this is my other

Your choice looks nice and, if it suits you to, you could buy it although he says that the price is negotiable (probably by not very much).

Before you commit, look further on both Chrono24 and eBay using the search for Omega Geneve 165.041 and Omega Geneve 166.041

 

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GeorgiosK

·7:04am yesterday

For inexpensive vintage watches, a full service can cost more than the actual watch. That said, a serviced one is a totally different deal than one with unknown service history, and if the time you have to buy the gift allows, focus on service history (and the seller, one always buys the seller). The good news is that the watches you are looking at are collectible but not rare, so you should be able to find one that checks many boxes.

 

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GeorgiosK

·7:24am yesterday

Also, steel vs gold, two very very very different styles!

 

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Spruce

·7:44am yesterday·Sunburst dial fan

I agree about servicing but if it’s serviced there should be some sort of invoice/warranty from the actual watchmaker who carried it out.

Some sellers contend that it has been ‘serviced in house’ which never fills me with confidence.

In the UK, I’d expect to pay about £150 + parts + postage (most independent watchmakers work away from anywhere one lives) so, provided it’s working properly; running, winding, setting & keeping time and the dial, case and hands are good and properly photographed, that would be okay for me.

You also have to check on the advertised wording. Refurbished, Restored, etc can all mean it’s not original and this would have a detrimental effect on the value. You also need to ensure that you can return the watch for a full refund if the seller’s particulars are incorrect.

 

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Spruce

·7:45am yesterday·Sunburst dial fan

So, if you find one you like, post the link for the watch as well as photos - before you buy

 

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giftwatch40

·8:28am yesterday

GeorgiosK

Also, steel vs gold, two very very very different styles!

True! I prefer the gold and know my partner would too but was open to the steel with the champagne (not white/bright) dial. But you’re right!

 

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SOG53

·9:06am yesterday

If you are looking at Gold Cap watches need to look for case wear often on lugs. Easy to miss depending on photo quality.

Keep an eye on the Private Watch Sales and Watches for Sale threads here on OF from trusted OF members (Private Sales) and vetted dealers (Watches for Sale).
You will generally do better buying from trusted OF members
Also the Recomnended EBay Listings are vetted listings with country of origin of seller these Geneve show up quite often.
Good luck !

 

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giftwatch40

·10:00am yesterday

Thanks again all for these replies, super helpful -- and so nice to find such a friendly corner of the internet.

I've done further searching on Chrono24 with all of the above in mind, and using the specific reference numbers. I've found a watch from a Japanese seller called CLOSER, who I've seen referenced on a couple of threads here and on Reddit.

The price is £376, which is much more in line with what people here have suggested is fair, and that's for an automatic. I'd have to pay import taxes on top of that, so coming closer to £450 or thereabouts, which is within my budget.

The listing offers buyer protection, so I'd have a chance to inspect the watch before finalising the transaction. The listing doesn't say if it's been serviced, so I can ask that -- but I expect it would be an 'in house' job, if anything, given this seller sells so many watches.

Again my main hope is for a stylish vintage watch my partner can use daily, reliably and for the long haul. Keen to hear what people think of this option!

Thanks so much!

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/-omega-166041--cal565----938878--id45154692.htm

 

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Davidt

·2:23pm yesterday

G giftwatch40

Thanks again all for these replies, super helpful -- and so nice to find such a friendly corner of the internet.

I've done further searching on Chrono24 with all of the above in mind, and using the specific reference numbers. I've found a watch from a Japanese seller called CLOSER, who I've seen referenced on a couple of threads here and on Reddit.

The price is £376, which is much more in line with what people here have suggested is fair, and that's for an automatic. I'd have to pay import taxes on top of that, so coming closer to £450 or thereabouts, which is within my budget.

The listing offers buyer protection, so I'd have a chance to inspect the watch before finalising the transaction. The listing doesn't say if it's been serviced, so I can ask that -- but I expect it would be an 'in house' job, if anything, given this seller sells so many watches.

Again my main hope is for a stylish vintage watch my partner can use daily, reliably and for the long haul. Keen to hear what people think of this option!

Thanks so much!

https://www.chrono24.co.uk/omega/-omega-166041--cal565----938878--id45154692.htm

Don’t get that one. Closer do have some good watches but the skill is picking the good one out of the mediocre. They’re effectively a wholesaler and this one has a poor case where the gold plate has worn though.