Hello, I am new to this forum and just started gaining an interest in vintage watches. After a bit of research I decided to buy this Omega Seamaster De Ville on eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-Seamaster-De-Ville-AUTOMATIC-039-67-/182391612487Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network It arrived today and on inspection the condition looks to be excellent so I am assuming it has been restored at some point. After wearing it for an afternoon around the house I noticed it stops working after only a short time of no movement (30-60 mins reading a book). It hasn't been used for the past 12 days (while it's been in transit from Poland to UK), but I did wind it up. Is this normal? The seller has replied to me to say I just need to "wear enough for it to restore enough power for movement do not wind crown only". I'm also a little concerned that it is just so clean for the age. Is this normal after a restoration? There were 12 bidders with 37 bids, so I'm hoping this isn't a fake as it seemed to attract genuine interest. If anyone can share some advice that would be much appreciated Many thanks, Tom
My first impression is that the dial has been redone as it is so clean, still a nice looking watch though. That said, that photo looks like it was taken with the crystal off and they always look crisper like that. While the seller has a point about not routinely manual winding it, you should fully wind it before wearing to get it started so to speak, if it is working correctly it should then build sufficient power reserve to keep working indefinitely if worn normally. If it stops after you have fully wound it then there is a problem which needs sorting and suggests that it isn't in as good condition as the seller claimed.
Thanks for your reply, I appreciate that It is fully wound up since last night. I continued to wear it this morning with plenty of movement but still it kept stopping (normally the second hand stops somewhere between 8 and 10 on the dial). The seller will accept my return, as he said the price I paid him (£541) is actually below what he paid for it and he can sell it again. He suggested though that I take it to a local watch specialist first and ask them to value it and quote on a repair cost. Would you suggest I follow his advice or just return it? I'm not sure if that's a good price I paid for it or not.
Well I have seen examples of that model with a more common silver dial fetch £300-£500 depending on condition so depending on the premium for black dial (and there will be a premium) you could argue that it wasn't all that cheap but perhaps it may be better if someone else chimes in with a second opinion on this. In my recent experience, many ebay sellers who routinely state a watch is recently serviced and working properly are just plain lying and are banking on no major issues occurring within the first few months after the sale. It is best to assume that any ebay watch needs a service and price it accordingly, that way you wont be too horrified when it arrives. If you can find someone who will offer to service it cheap enough, you may be able to get a partial refund from the seller but I doubt that you will get anyone to commit to a service at a given price sight unseen since there is clearly an issue, and the cost at Omega or STS would be circa £400 for a 565 movement or similar.
Great, thanks for the information that's really useful to know. I just took it to my local watch repairer who confirmed it is genuine. He said the dial was original and had been repainted but very well and the case was polished. Interestingly he thought the reason it may be stopping is the second hand is slightly touching the glass when it reaches the area of 8-10 and that if I bend it in very slightly that could fix it. Either way if that's the issue then it should run smoothly when I remove the glass. Has anyone had this issue before?
Ive had an issue with hands touching other hands before, causing the watch to stop prematurely. If the hands are bent slightly outwards, I assume catching on the crystal would have the same effect. Just to clarify on your dial, although the dial plate may be original, no collector would call the dial original after it's been repainted. This also has a large effect on value. If this is your only watch and you're not bothered about collectability, as long as you like it, you're fine. However, if you start to learn more about vintage watches, the fact that it's a redial will really get to you. I'd much rather have an original silver dial for around £350.
I agree with Davidt3449. As you said, you have just recently started getting an interest in vintage watches, and if that interest keep growing (which it most likely will ), then i can imagine you regretting buying this watch, instead of one with an original dial. You could get yourself a nice one for the same amount you paid for this, so while its still a possibility, i would return it to the seller.
Thanks for your replies guys. That's interesting, I hadn't thought about that. I was really keen to own a vintage watch, but one that was in pretty decent condition, not necessarily this immaculate but I ended up really liking the look of it. So would you suggest the watch is not worth the money I paid considering it's restored? I would have thought, collectors aside, people would be keen to own restored vintage watches if they've been done really well.
Would you want to own a nice antique painting that a local artist had repainted? Ok, so that's an extreme example, but if you're buying a vintage Omega or any vintage watch, a huge part if the value is the dial. If the dial wasn't printed by Omega but has been redone it has a huge effect on desirability, collectability and value. You're right, people who want an 'Ooh shiney' vintage watch may like it. So if you don't plan on going any deeper into vintage watches, enjoy it. But it's not collectable. I wouldn't buy it at half the price because of the dial.
I would say no, not worth the money. As said, you could easily get a nice De Ville with an original dial in good condition for the same money. How is the condition of the movement? Often when the dial is restored and the case polished, its a sign that the watch has had a though life, which can often be seen in the movement, since the traces of misuse and wear are harder to hide there. In my opinion, there isn't much vintage over a restored dial - no matter how well done they may be
Great, I appreciate the feedback from you collectors. Now I know where to come once I've learned a little more and feel ready to buy a proper vintage watch. In the meantime I'll send this one back.
Sounds like a great decision! I understand that it can be frustrating, when you have been waiting for the watch to arrive, and then have to send it back again, but in the long run, i think you will be satisfied with the decision!
Just to expand slightly on value, on a collectors forum, that would struggle to sell at £250 IMO. However, get it in ebay before xmas and the mad men crowd may well bid it up. I'm pretty sure a black deville with a redial sold for around £800 a couple of months or so ago. That's the exception rather than the rule though. I think returning it is by far the best option. If you want a solid, genuine vintage Omega, the manual wind SEAMASTER 600's with original silver dials can be found fairly frequently on ebay UK (I assume you're in UK?) for £300-400. SEAMASTER Devilles with auto movement are slightly more. Original black dials are much rarer and up to double the price. Treat any black dial 60's dress Omega with suspicion.
The Seamaster 600 looks very nice. I do still really like the Devilles so will also keep an eye out for a good one. Another watch I like the look of a 50s Longines Admiral 1200 in white gold. Something like this, but fully original. My budget is around £500-600.