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Opinions on a Seamaster Multifunction Quartz

R3D9
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Hi everyone,

I'm hoping I can draw upon your collective wisdom regarding a watch I stumbled upon for sale.

A friend has asked me to find him an older Omega to buy and I thought this might be the one.

Terrible pictures, unfortunately - I'm going to try and ask for some more.

It appears to me to be an Omega Multifunction Seamaster Quartz ref 2521.81.00

The seller states the watch is not working, but my hope is that it just needs a battery. Are these models easy to open up?

Any opinions on what my friend would want to pay and/or any more background on the watch would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

IMG_0065.PNG IMG_0066.PNG IMG_0067.PNG
 
simon.pearl
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As an X-33 owner I'll say the multi function quartz Omegas aren't necessarily any cheaper to repair than a manual or automatic movement. I'd call an Omega shop just to get a couple of quotes.
For example on mine omega wants $120-150 for a battery change.
 
R3D9
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simon.pearl simon.pearl
As an X-33 owner I'll say the multi function quartz Omegas aren't necessarily any cheaper to repair than a manual or automatic movement. I'd call an Omega shop just to get a couple of quotes.
For example on mine omega wants $120-150 for a battery change.

Ouch! That's good to know! Thanks for that.
 
Archer
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simon.pearl simon.pearl
As an X-33 owner I'll say the multi function quartz Omegas aren't necessarily any cheaper to repair than a manual or automatic movement. I'd call an Omega shop just to get a couple of quotes.
For example on mine omega wants $120-150 for a battery change.

It's actually a lot more than just changing the battery...
 
simon.pearl
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Archer Archer
It's actually a lot more than just changing the battery...

You may be correct I don't know. I know that when the indicator goes off for a battery change that's what Omega charges me for "Battery Change" I've questioned them before and I was told they also replace the gasket.... still far from $150 in parts or labor, if they do anything more than that they haven't shared it with me.
 
T
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I just got my x-33 battery replaced by omega yesterday for $60.
I have owned the multifunction quartz watch before and they work well. But if you have a problem with one, the price to get it fixed might end up being more than what the watch might be worth. Last I checked these were selling for around $500. The LCD partially wearing off....usually one line in a digit goes dead .... might not be easy to fix.
 
Canuck
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Consider this. In a lot of instances, non functioning watches are offered for sale after the owner has checked into the cost of having one repaired! Not liking what they hear, they dump it! Buy a watch like that, and along with the watch, you're buying the other person's problem. With the subject watch, would you not think that if a new cell would have solved the problem, it would likely have been done. Easier to sell a running watch, and for a better price, I would think!
 
padders
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I was actually wearing one of these today, it is my grab and go watch and is subtle but stylish and a good practical size at around 38mm. You can change the batteries yourself if you are careful, have the correct screwdriver but if you lose a screw it is bad news! My concern would be that the movement or display could be knackered, which is a big issue as the 1665 movement isn't available outside of the authorised repair network and even STS can't repair these anymore, Omega insist that they are sent back to them direct and their typical service involves movement exchange which is not cheap. Perhaps @Archer could comment on if he is able to work on them and can access parts but lack of repair provision is a real issue with these and X-33s too in my experience. In short, if you find a good one, they are great. They seem to fetch around £600-750 in good condition so can be seen as a cut price X-33 (with many shared features). Here is mine, on a leather strap for variety:

Omega%20MF%20120m_zpsvrm7d1aa.jpg
Edited:
 
padders
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ps looking at the pics the OP posted, I think the LCD has bled on that one so I would steer well clear. The movement is actually rectangular inside and the LCD seems to be following the general movement outline, though that may be a coincidence.
 
R3D9
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padders padders
I was actually wearing one of these today, it is my grab and go watch and is subtle but stylish and a good practical size at around 38mm. You can change the batteries yourself if you are careful, have the correct screwdriver but if you lose a screw it is bad news!. My concern would be that the movement or display could be knackered, which is an issue as the 1665 movement isn't available outside of the authorised repair network and even STS can't repair these anymore, Omega insists that they are sent back to them direct and their typical service involves movement exchange which is not cheap. Perhaps @Archer could comment on if he is able to work on them and supply parts but lack of repair provision is a real issue with these and X-33s in my experience. In short, if you find a good one, they are great. They seem to fetch around £600-750 in good condition so can be seen as a cut price X-33 (with many shared features). Here is mine, on a leather strap for variety:

Omega%20MF%20120m_zpsvrm7d1aa.jpg

That is one cool looking watch when it's all cleaned up! I've never seen this model before and I really like the overall look.

I may take a pass on this one as I don't think my friend is looking for a make-work project and it doesn't seem likely that I'd be able to make sure the watch is in working order before closing the deal.

I was hoping it was going to be the usual "quartz watch not working" thing. With the LCD issues, that makes for a much riskier proposition.
 
Archer
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simon.pearl simon.pearl
I've questioned them before and I was told they also replace the gasket.... still far from $150 in parts or labor

The vast majority of people who send their watches in don't care about the scope of work, and if you are sending the watch to Omega via an AD, the people who take your money are likely not much more clued in on what happens than you are, so it's not completely surprising they can't tell you the details. These are sales people or administrative staff, not trained watchmakers.

There is a full suite of diagnostic testing that is done when a quartz watch comes in for a battery change - some of what's involved can be seen in this thread:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/quartz-watches-some-information-some-may-find-interesting.5475/

In addition they would do some general cleaning, replace seals, QC the watch, and pressure test. If this is "worth" $150 is something only an individual can decide for themselves. All I am trying to point out is that it's more than just opening the back, replacing the battery, closing the back and asking for $150...

Cheers, Al
 
Archer
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padders padders
My concern would be that the movement or display could be knackered, which is a big issue as the 1665 movement isn't available outside of the authorised repair network and even STS can't repair these anymore, Omega insist that they are sent back to them direct and their typical service involves movement exchange which is not cheap. Perhaps @Archer could comment on if he is able to work on them and can access parts but lack of repair provision is a real issue with these and X-33s too in my experience. In short, if you find a good one, they are great. They seem to fetch around £600-750 in good condition so can be seen as a cut price X-33 (with many shared features).

The movement is readily available for purchase from Omega for those with an account, but replacing one would cost quite a lot in relation to the value of the watch. Only a full movement is available, so no movement parts - therefore swapping is your only option.

Cheers, Al
 
Archer
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Mouse_at_Large Mouse_at_Large
This may well have been updated, but may be of interest. http://www.phfactor.net/wtf/Omega/1048_Omega 1665 total.pdf I'm guessing the 120 you were looking at, as a newer model than previous cal.1665 models, has the 1665B movement.

But as others have said, the cost of restoring the example under discussion may well outweigh it's value by a considerable amount 🙁

The current version of the movement is a C:

6001665C0B | MOVEMENT BLUE; SEAMAS. 120
 
luansamo84
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Hello i have a similar watch but without serial number in the lugs is it possible to be a prototype?
Greetings

Luan
 
20210923_191217.jpg 20210923_191303.jpg 20210923_191237.jpg 20210923_191157.jpg 20210923_191133.jpg
Archer
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luansamo84 luansamo84
Hello i have a similar watch but without serial number in the lugs is it possible to be a prototype?
Greetings

Luan

No, not a prototype, but likely that someone has polished the lugs and removed the number. This is an earlier model with the 186.1501 case, where the latter models had the 186.1502 case.

Cheers, Al
 
2tone61
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padders padders
I was actually wearing one of these today, it is my grab and go watch and is subtle but stylish and a good practical size at around 38mm. You can change the batteries yourself if you are careful, have the correct screwdriver but if you lose a screw it is bad news! My concern would be that the movement or display could be knackered, which is a big issue as the 1665 movement isn't available outside of the authorised repair network and even STS can't repair these anymore, Omega insist that they are sent back to them direct and their typical service involves movement exchange which is not cheap. Perhaps @Archer could comment on if he is able to work on them and can access parts but lack of repair provision is a real issue with these and X-33s too in my experience. In short, if you find a good one, they are great. They seem to fetch around £600-750 in good condition so can be seen as a cut price X-33 (with many shared features). Here is mine, on a leather strap for variety:

Omega%20MF%20120m_zpsvrm7d1aa.webp
Good read and advice, I can confirm above as I have a SM Polaris Jumbo , that is not fully working, STS have stated "return to Omega" and Omega have quoted £500-600 depending on repair or replacement movement. December 2024. 🤔
 
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