Community Stories

Omega Seamaster 120 Advice Please

Seabass23
Posts
69
Likes
103
I seek advice from this group regarding a Seamaster 120 that I am considering.

I will apologize in advance for the quality of the pictures. I've handled the watch in person but didn't realize that the photos were less than ideal.

Anyway, the watch is available to me locally and I will tell you what I know:
-The watch runs well, the date set works properly by pulling the crown;
-A previous owner has crudely engraved their initials in the backside of the lugs;
-Note the damaged lume on the minute hand;
-The clasp is an 1171 with 634 endlinks (should it not be an 1170)?
-Minor chipping and cracking in the bakelite bezel at 32 minutes.

Here's what I'd like to know from the group:
-Approximate value (how does the crudely engraved caseback and minute lume affect price)?
-Given the crack to the bakelite bezel, is the watch "wearable" or is there a risk of the bezel falling apart?
-Any other positive/negative observations that I need to be aware of?
 
Seabass23
Posts
69
Likes
103
Additional piece of info, watch supposedly dates from 1973 (serial number is not available to confirm at this point).
 
flqt-9000
Posts
1,005
Likes
1,601
Hello, the watch is original condition and looks very nice to me. The minute hand is a minor issue In my opinion. What price have you been asked for it?
 
simonsays
Posts
1,344
Likes
1,958
Its not a popular model. The cushion case and busy dial are not a great combo in my eyes. Having said that if you like it thats whats important. The condition looks honest, but well worn. I would be happy at £1250-£1500? I expect I would have to pay closer to £2000 to buy it though. I wouldn't expect the bezel to deteriorate further unless it is knocked again, and the engravings to the lugs not an issue.
 
flqt-9000
Posts
1,005
Likes
1,601
I think 2000 pounds is an optimistic price. The last ones sold publicly in the forum were around 3500/4000$.
 
simonsays
Posts
1,344
Likes
1,958
flqt-9000 flqt-9000
I think 2000 pounds is an optimistic price. The last ones sold publicly in the forum were around 3500/4000$.

Ah well, I expect I am off on price due to not being a fan. Ignore my £££ speculations.
 
Maganator
Posts
1,173
Likes
1,751
There's one on ebay for £2700 atm in a similar condition though your bezel is better and it has no bracelet.

I think that amount is probably fair for your example as well.
 
pascs
Posts
1,640
Likes
5,732
The bracelet is 22mm at the lugs so its not a 1171, could be 1170 or something similar, obviously the clasp is not correct, anyway not a big issue. The hands can easily be relumed with a similar colour of lume, which I would get done during a service.

I'm not sure about the damage to the bezel, if its cracked then maybe its not all the way through and will stay together.
 
pascs
Posts
1,640
Likes
5,732
simonsays simonsays
Its not a popular model. The cushion case and busy dial are not a great combo in my eyes. Having said that if you like it thats whats important. The condition looks honest, but well worn. I would be happy at £1250-£1500? I expect I would have to pay closer to £2000 to buy it though. I wouldn't expect the bezel to deteriorate further unless it is knocked again, and the engravings to the lugs not an issue.

I really like these cases, but the dial is not to everyone tastes. When I was working on mine, I swapped the dial / movement out for my spare SM300, quite an interesting combination.

sbD9egT[1].jpg
 
Seabass23
Posts
69
Likes
103
Thanks for the feedback everyone. The seller has stated that he believes the serial number may place it in the batch of watches supplied to the IDF. This seems like a longshot to me. Is there as specific serial number range that is known to have been issued to the IDF?

I really like the watch, but as a collector, I like to buy smart. The asking price on the watch is equivalent to around $5000usd, which certainly seems to be very top end.
 
Jabotinsky
Posts
13
Likes
3
Seabass23 Seabass23
Thanks for the feedback everyone. The seller has stated that he believes the serial number may place it in the batch of watches supplied to the IDF. This seems like a longshot to me. Is there as specific serial number range that is known to have been issued to the IDF?

I really like the watch, but as a collector, I like to buy smart. The asking price on the watch is equivalent to around $5000usd, which certainly seems to be very top end.

https://www.phillips.com/detail/omega/CH080218/16

this may be helpful!
 
sleepyastronaut
Posts
963
Likes
1,250
Seabass23 Seabass23
The seller has stated that he believes the serial number may place it in the batch of watches supplied to the IDF. This seems like a longshot to me.

IMHO that's very thin provenance, even if correct. If you're paying a premium for a military-issued watch, whichever military it is, you should get more documentation: the original owners name, a pic of them wearing it, a copy of some paperwork mentioning the piece being issued, something more than just an assertion that the serial is within a range.
 
Seabass23
Posts
69
Likes
103
sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
IMHO that's very thin provenance, even if correct. If you're paying a premium for a military-issued watch, whichever military it is, you should get more documentation: the original owners name, a pic of them wearing it, a copy of some paperwork mentioning the piece being issued, something more than just an assertion that the serial is within a range.

Oh, completely agree with you. Without any of that documentation, there should be no military premium on the price.
 
cristos71
Posts
7,429
Likes
34,233
Seabass23 Seabass23
Thanks for the feedback everyone. The seller has stated that he believes the serial number may place it in the batch of watches supplied to the IDF.

May place it in the range?....Is this by any chance helping him justify his asking price.....

Seabass23 Seabass23
I really like the watch, but as a collector, I like to buy smart. The asking price on the watch is equivalent to around $5000usd, which certainly seems to be very top end.

.....which quite frankly is ludicrous based on the shabby condition and bust up bezel
 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,909
If someone is asking a premium for provenance then it is on them to prove it. If not, then it’s just a plain Jane 120. I like these watches, but would weigh condition against price. The seller is day-dreaming, he’ll be sitting on it for a while until he comes back to reality.
 
Seabass23
Posts
69
Likes
103
Gents, thank you kindly for the excellent advice. The Omegaforum lives up to it's reputation!
 
cristos71
Posts
7,429
Likes
34,233
They are great watches, here's mine...but I think I'd maybe be blushing if I put a $5K asking on it..

020.JPG
 
simonsays
Posts
1,344
Likes
1,958
cristos71 cristos71
They are great watches, here's mine...but I think I'd maybe be blushing if I put a $5K asking on it..

020.JPG

And in a different league. Lovely colours!
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

roderick lane

Omega A.M 6B/159 A3435 - Advice please -

roderick lane Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
R
rodabod
Posts
12
Views
455
T

Omega seamaster 120 I.d help please.

Trybal Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
T
Trybal
Posts
6
Views
2K
Davidt

Vintage Omega Seamaster 120 166.027

Davidt Private Watch Sales
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
1
Views
3K
L

Please help me find a bezel for my Omega seamaster 120 REF. 135.027

Leonit Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
techzonetips
techzonetips
Posts
9
Views
3K
Y

Seamaster 120 advice

ydelcan Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Shabbaz
Shabbaz
Posts
10
Views
1K
B

Omega seamaster 1963 it is true can you help me with advice please

bANDYtu23 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
dmtowl
dmtowl
Posts
14
Views
3K