Greetings all. Popping in once again, looking for your invaluable expertise. For your scrutiny and valuation... ...
Everything looks correct on this one. Dial is original. I'll let others deal with the valuation. gatorcpa
I'm not that familiar with the 343 RG's, but if it were a 352 RG I would say around $2,000-2,500. Seems I remember that the 343 had a considerably lower production, so I don't know where that puts the value.
Welcome back Melhadary. Nice Avatar, nice to see someone who knows his Omega symbolism Yes that dial can be cleaned up, however it is always a gamble cleaning these dials, no guaranty's. My valuation is: buy it.
The 343 is the movement that was placed in the second generation 28.10 size Centenary, and then used in the first Seamaster 2518 sub seconds. I've been obsessed by finding one after having secured both 28.10 Centenary generations!
I was watching this watch on eBay. Appears that seller accepted an offer below the $7,000 asking price, or is it still available?
Thanks cicindela! I am yet to reach your level ofcourse... I am made modest by that beautiful Omega Hippocamp you have there! The thing with this watch is, would its condition bring down its value, or is it one of those rarities which are worth a heavy buck regardless??
Yes... I did throw in an offer which I didn't think would be accepted, and which felt obscenely high to me to be honest, but he did accept!
The cal. 343 seamaster chronometres are a personal favorite. I collect them when the price and condition are favorable. This example already had the dial cleaned and I would not touch it in its present form though others may be willing to take that risk. These watches are much more uncommon than the cal. 352 seamaster and that difference in availability make the 343 more valuable in my mind. How much more - not too many comparables to say for sure but I would say at least 20-30% more than a 352 other factors being equal.
Yes... they are a true heritage Omega movement, and I felt it was a must for a vintage Seamaster lover like myself looking for pieces relevant to the Seamaster life line!
I really like the sub-second dial layout. Don't touch the dial, i think the patina makes it look wonderful
Right you are! I guess all it will take is a case, markers and hands polishing to bring an overall beauty to it! Doesn't that staining bother you though?
That's great to hear... I have also yet to verify, but the seller gave me a bit of interesting history for it... "This watch was purchased from the estate of a 1 stsr Air Force General. Who initially was sent to England to fly bombing missions over Nazi Germany then went into the intelligence division of the Air Force as well as represented the US at NATO HQ." If this is authenticated, this will be exactly the type of heritage that got me interested in collecting vintage!!!!
Looks like it was sold for $5000, and if that's correct it's too high in my opinion. Here's my 14K 2519 Cal 333
That may be, and of course, any documentation you can collect will be helpful should you ever want to sell it. However, the General would not have been wearing this particular watch during his WWII service as it was not produced until the early 1950's. Take care, gatorcpa
Gotta love eBay sellers who throw some bullshit about military connections in their auctions. If the seller can't prove it, then it isn't true.