Hey everyone,

I just won this auction on a seamaster that looks pretty decent but there seems to be slightly crooked text on the word “automatic” I thought it was strange because the rest of the dial does not look redone.

thanks,

julian

 

The dial looks redone to me. Did you notiice that the minute track is partially falling off between 8 and 9?

 

I missed that when I enlarged the photo, I was so focused on the text. I guess I should cancel my purchase on the grounds that this was said to be all original?

 

I would do so, but the decision is up to you.

 

Looks like an original sparkle dial, just not in the best shape.

Missing details is not grounds to back out of an auction.

 

If it is a redial then yes I second this motion. Your call though

 

Totally agree with you. If this is an original dial then I don’t mind paying for it. I would only back out if the seller miscommunicated the originality of the watch.

 

I would guess that the dial has been damaged by moisture or - more likely - a botched attempt at cleaning, since the print underneath the lacquer has moved around.

 

I think your right with this explanation.

 

There is some dirt around the 3 o'clock area that would definitely support your theory. I took a leap on this one, I had to walk the seller through how to wind the watch and set the day to confirm it functioned properly. I was not able to get a movement photo so it may have moisture damage as well.

 

@ConElPueblo : I think you’re right. I’m not an expert on these, but the printing looked okay to me, but for the Automatic, which is clearly askew.

BTW, I think you have one of the highest batting averages on OF. I always appreciate your insights.

 

I actually did this on an experimental dial once (lemon juice trick for cleaning) it did clean the dial beautiful- but part of the text started to lift off and lost a few of the second tracks- was able to readhere the chunk of text that floated off but like this one- it wasn’t perfect- never gonna try that trick again.

 

I agree that the dial has not been redone, but was most likely damaged by an unlucky cleaning attempt.

 

I totally agree.

 

Thanks for all of the input! Especially the insight from @ConElPueblo. I am obviously going to hold up my end of the agreement since everything is as advertised. I don't feel too badly since I got it for $450 with a 1098/540 bracelet.

 

Update: I got a photo of the clasp from the seller and apparently it’s on a 1181/215 bracelet with 540 endlinks? Is it possible the clasp has been switched?

 

Yeah- clasp was changed, that ain’t no 1181

Not to crap on your birthday cake, but I’m getting the impression this watch was cobbled together at some point. Kind of terrified to see inside.

 

Very strange. But the bracelet is still Omega?

It looked like a 1098 with 540s before but the clasp changes things.

 

yea I say the dial is original and the crooked "automatic" may be due to an optical distortion from the wavy crystal.

 

I thinks it’s a 1098 with 540 which would be correct for this case shape, but a clasp swap happened at some point with whatever they had on hand

And again- not to crap on it, but the bracelet looks to be pretty clapped out- that’s a lot of stretch between those links. It should look like this (pic from a Nomercy FS posting)