Hi all!

Brand new to the forum, and I'm on the market for my first vintage Omega. Still a newbie but love perusing the ebay listings.

Came across this Geneve but it is still priced suspiciously low. The dial might be refinished?, crystal replaced, no sign of original buckle, and may not be the original crown, but apart from that, it appears legit: signed movement, case, dial, and crown.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/173746587289

Since I'm new and my budget is low, I don't care if the case is gold filled or not, if the dial has been repainted, case polished, or the crystal replaced. I know from a collecting standpoint these all make it worth less, but I honestly don't mind so long as it's real.

What's the most I should bid on it? Or should I pass and wait? Budget right now is only $200. $300 max. May increase after tux refund.

Thanks for helping a newbie!

P.S.
I tend to love the classic, minimalist designs of the de villes, geneves, and seamasters of the 60s, and prefer gold cases, silver dials, single gold markers, and gold hands for aesthetics for my first (also interested in a silver case / markers for 2nd).

Any general advice is appreciated. Excited to join the community.

 

Dial looks nice and original, how much you should bid on it? $220 usd.

 

Thank you so much for the advice. Did not believe it was original dial, so that's great!

 

The case isn't gold filled, it's 20µ electro plate, and if you look at the inside of the lugs and the side of the case there is considerable wear.




The case tab also shows evidence of moisture in the watch.



The stem is also badly bent, so a new crown and stem, and possibly a correct crystal should be factored into your total outlay (not to forget the cost of a proper servicing.

If you can live with the case wear it's a pretty watch but as @hoipolloi said, anything above about $200/$250 is going to put you behind the 8 ball.

 

Thank you for the observations. I didn't even notice the lug and dial wear. Fair enough on factoring in crown/stem replacement.

What do you mean by proper crystal? Also, I know ebay listings always say they're "serviced", but this movement does appear quite clean. If purchased, you would still recommend immediately taking to watch maker to assess and service? Thanks again.

 

The crystal looks off to me, although it may just be the photographs but I can't see a proper tension ring.

Unless there is proof of the mentioned "service" I would have it done.

When some of our resident watchmakers services a watch, the customer gets back a detailed pre-service assessment note, an account, replaced parts returned, photographs of the service process, timing chart or table of results etc etc.

While this may not be the norm for some services, some form of evidence is a must.

 

A service minus parts is going to run you 200 or so...

You can find better.

 

If you can buy it with $220 or less, you can wear it and let it run to death. (until you find a better one).

 

Yeah I think Ill bid on it and see what happens. Theres a local watchmaker who is excellent here. Can always take it to him for an assessment / authentication when I take another watch that needa servicing anyways.

Thanka again all.