Greetings folks! I have been collecting various watches for some time now and have owned an Omega Century for most of a year, which I enjoy a lot. I also own a three-month-old 42mm Planet Ocean. Last night, I decided to see what this whole E-Bay thing was about, so I decided to try my hand at a few auctions. Well, after not winning some, I probably bid on a few more than I should have, though I am fortunate that the money is not going to break me even if they were all total fakes. I would like a completely brutally honest assessment of ways in which I went wrong. The first one has already received rather negative assessments from folks here when somebody else asked about it: (Perhaps, I should get a more appropriate crown put on it.)1951 Seamaster Calendar: http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230843627218&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Here are the other three:1970's Constellation http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271042694240&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Seamaster Cosmic 2000 http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300770311208&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Geneve 1012 http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320970684186&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Well, fire away, gentlemen. Seriously, I would like to learn. Of course, commentary on the final prices I paid would be very welcome too. Thank you so much...I love these vintage Omegas and am saddened that there seem to be so many vendors lacking in scruples. Regards, Jon P.S. My Century http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m629/JonathanSmall/0F9D2CC6.jpg
OK, well just remember that you asked for it! 1. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230843627218&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network This is not a terrible watch, although the dial refinish is not right. The crown needs to replaced with the proper clover style, which will run you about $40 plus labor. I think you paid too much based on the condition and redial by about $200 or so. 2. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=271042694240&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network This is a very nice watch. No movement pictures, but if that checks out (I see nothing that tells me it won't), I think you did pretty good on this one. 3. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300770311208&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network The photos are not good. I can't tell if the gold plating has worn off on the sides of the watch or not. If the gold plating is intact, I think you did well. If the gold plating is a mess (as I fear it is), then the case is trash. It will cost more than the watch is worth to restore. Again, there is no movement picture, so I can't comment on the condition. 4. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320970684186&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:3160Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network I stay away from watches located in South Korea and this is a prime example of why. The dial is a good refinish, but was never black originally. Some of the refinishing work from Korea is so good I can't tell them from original sometimes. There is something about the movement that just doesn't seem right to me. The tri-color winding wheels are strange, but may be right. I just don't know enough about cal. 1012. Price is about $150 to $200 more that I would want to pay for this one. So for the evening, you're batting 1 (possibly 2) for 4. No total fakes and nothing looks like an obvious frankenwatch. You did pretty good for baseball, not so good for watch collecting. IMO you are probably not ready to fly solo on eBay just yet. Better to post items on which you have questions here, and we'll do our best to help, gatorcpa
Gatorcpa, Thank you so much for taking the time to educate me about my purchases. Wish I had stumbled on this site just a tad sooner. I certainly won't bid on anything on E-Bay again until I "run it up the flagpole" here. Also, there is a movement pic for the Constellation posted or is it not of adequate quality to assess? Thanks, again....Omegas are addictive... Regards, Jon
Welcome Whirling, I spent several months seeking the wisdom of these experts. Their combined knowledge is probably greater than those at Omega HQ. Eventually they pointed me in the right direction despite me desperately wanting to buy a watch that I liked. Probably saved me approx. £300!
Yes, I found it the second time around. That's a good cal. 561, which is appropriate for this watch. You need to get a watchmaker to decase the movement and clean out the remains of that dead gasket. Replace it with a new one and you should be good to go. A further investment of a couple of hundred on a proper cleaning is likely warranted as well. Take care, gatorcpa
GatorCPA, Thank you again...I will definitely take all of my purchases to a watchmaker for assessment of needs. Not two blocks away from my home is somebody whom ULackFocus has endorsed. Regards, Jon