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Omega Seamaster 300 Diver "Gold?!"

K
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Hello everyone,

I acquired my first Omega watch the other day from a pawn shop. I have been looking for an Omega with a white dial for some time and was mesmerized by the gold details on it as I seen very very very few of them online. Sadly the pawn shop did not have the papers for it, only the box.

Does anyone have more information about it? The ref number given by the pawn shop was 2598.80.00 based on the serial number it was manufactured in 1984. But that is all I have of information. Not sure if I can share serial numbers, maybe PM it to people that could help me out?

Thank you!
 
IMG_7062.JPG
dsio
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It’s a reference 2498.20 from the mid 1990’s, Calibre 1164, they’re a very good watch.
 
K
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Oh wow, so the pawn shop gave me the wrong reference number on the reciept! Thats pretty bad stuff.
 
padders
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Certainly not from 1984, see above. The tritium lume and grey box set dates it to no later than 1996 and the model wasn't introduced until circa 1995 so its a pretty narrow window. That one has been well cared for or recently serviced, or both. It looks like the hands have been changed for SL lume versions which is normal for a factory service.
 
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padders padders
Certainly not from 1984, see above. The tritium lume and grey box set dates it to no later than 1996 and the model wasn't introduced until circa 1995 so its a pretty narrow window. That one has been well cared for or recently serviced, or both. It looks like the hands have been changed for SL lume versions.

Yes, just saw that. The watch is in great condition, no hairlines - looks like it has never been used more or less.
 
padders
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There will be no problem with you posting the serial but if you want to hedge your bets, post just the first few digits. My guess is that it falls somewhere around 54-55m but different Omega models fall into different serial ranges in this era so I could be way off and it could indeed be in the high 40s.
 
K
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486028XX is the serial number provided on the reciept of the pawn shop, I might need to open the watch as that guy gave me the wrong reference number as well.
 
padders
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K kingofthenorth37
486028XX is the serial number provided on the reciept of the pawn shop, I might need to open the watch as that guy gave me the wrong reference number as well.

You do see high 40m serials on watches made during this era so that isn't a red flag but is causes confusion as online lists have that as a mid 1980s serial as you already found, hence I hedged my bets when I guessed above.

I am assuming you have no cards or paperwork? The PIC code that he gave you (which is for a steel bezel blue dial model) is not written anywhere on the watch so it is understandable a seller might make a mistake with it as he is probably guessing based on internet photos. The serial may well be stamped onto the back of the lug so can be read easily without opening the watch. If its not there you can open it to check but you might compromise the water resistance if you do. Personally I wouldn't bother.
Edited:
 
janice&fred
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padders padders
If its not there you can open it to check but you might compromise the water resistance if you do. Personally I wouldn't bother.

Best advice 👍
 
Archer
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padders padders
Certainly not from 1984, see above. The tritium lume and grey box set dates it to no later than 1996 and the model wasn't introduced until circa 1995 so its a pretty narrow window. That one has been well cared for or recently serviced, or both. It looks like the hands have been changed for SL lume versions which is normal for a factory service.

Hands appear to be the original tritium hands - like the other Seamasters of this era the hands have a rather coarse grain in the luminous material, and a green tinge.

Handssmc.jpg
 
K
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padders padders
You do see high 40m serials on watches made during this era so that isn't a red flag but is causes confusion as online lists have that as a mid 80s serial as you already found, hence I hedged my bets when I guessed above.

I am assuming you have no cards or paperwork? The PIC code that he gave you (which is for a steel bezel blue dial model) is not written anywhere on the watch so it is understandable a seller might make a mistake with it as he is probably guessing based on internet photos. The serial may well be stamped onto the back of the lug so can be read easily without opening the watch. If its not there you can open it to check but you might compromise the water resistance if you do. Personally I wouldn't bother.

Yes, it was sold without the papers - I only have the box. I contacted the jewelry (AD) today if they had any information about it, they confirmed it was bought back in the 90s but they did not have any more information. Was hoping to get in touch with the previous owner somehow as I was curious about the watch 😀 Probably tried too hard!
 
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Archer Archer
Hands appear to be the original tritium hands - like the other Seamasters of this era the hands have a rather coarse grain in the luminous material, and a green tinge.

Handssmc.jpg

Thanks for checking!

Any idea why there are not that many watches like this on the market? Was it sold less of them back in the days? A not so popular watch etc? Asking because I am really curious since I cant really find many out there second hand!
Edited:
 
Donn Chambers
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K kingofthenorth37
Thanks for checking!

Any idea why there are not that many watches like this on the market? Was it sold less of them back in the days? A not so popular watch etc? Asking because I am really curious since I cant really find many out there second hand!

The gold bezel, pushers, and crown meant a price premium which I’m sure many did not want to pay for an Omega in that era. Also, I’m pretty sure it would have come on a gold and steel bracelet originally, or a strap. I’ve never seen a gold/steel diver on an all steel bracelet. Likely, it came on a strap and the original owner bought the cheaper steel bracelet for it back in the day instead of paying extra for the gold/steel version.
 
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
The gold bezel, pushers, and crown meant a price premium which I’m sure many did not want to pay for an Omega in that era. Also, I’m pretty sure it would have come on a gold and steel bracelet originally, or a strap. I’ve never seen a gold/steel diver on an all steel bracelet. Likely, it came on a strap and the original owner bought the cheaper steel bracelet for it back in the day instead of paying extra for the gold/steel version.

Sounds pretty logical. Would like to switch out the steel bracelet myself 😀
 
Archer
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Donn Chambers Donn Chambers
The gold bezel, pushers, and crown meant a price premium which I’m sure many did not want to pay for an Omega in that era. Also, I’m pretty sure it would have come on a gold and steel bracelet originally, or a strap. I’ve never seen a gold/steel diver on an all steel bracelet. Likely, it came on a strap and the original owner bought the cheaper steel bracelet for it back in the day instead of paying extra for the gold/steel version.

The OP's watch is as it came from the factory...

24982000.jpg
 
Archer
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K kingofthenorth37
By the looks exactly the same as the one I have.

That is an image from Omega, so your watch is all original.
 
K
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Archer Archer
That is an image from Omega, so your watch is all original.

Thank you very much! So far this looks like a pretty neat find.
 
dsio
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For the record the steel bracelet version like the OP has is Ref 2498.20 as mentioned, the version with gold and steel bracelet is 2398.20 which is otherwise identical, there will be an article on the Seamaster Pro diver family soon covering most variations.
 
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