Please may you help meee experts! Which should i go for - 1961 Seamaster choice for a 60th birthday

MinnieK · Jan 28, 2021

Hello everyone, with apologies for the demanding first post.

My dad turns 60 at the start of next month, and I have my heart set on a vintage Seamaster with a black dial, caliber 562, which is the same age as him. I have actually found one... (and purchased), but the seller is very generous about me returning the item as I had a sharp case of buyers remorse, especially given that another seller contacted me this morning to offer me (what I think) is the same watch for circa 700 GBP cheaper. The question is - what am I missing here?? Have I either overpaid hugely for this one (on a brown leather strap), paid £2155:

States:
Completely original:
Condition: Very good
Movement Automatic
Movement/Caliber 562
Case material Steel
Case diameter 33 mm
Dial Black
Bracelet material Leather
Fully serviced

Or is this one too good to be true at 1450 GBP (bracelet swopped for leather)?? (On the gold bracelet in the pics)
CONDITION: Good
MOVEMENT: Automatic
CALIBRE: 562
MOVEMENT REFERENCE : 18322141
AGE: 1961
GENDER: Male
CASE: Gold Plated
CASE SIZE: 34mm
DIAL: Original
MOVEMENT CONDITION: Fully Serviced - With One Year Warranty

Thank you SO SO SO much in advance for your help - I really appreciate it and this forum has already been invaluable in educating me, though lots to learn.

seekingseaquest · Jan 28, 2021

Yes, you overpaid by quite a bit (more than 2-3x IMO). That said, it’s a nice watch.

The second one is not at all the same watch and is also overpriced. It’s also not as nice of a watch, particularly given the lack of service (signs of rust), and I’m not 100% confident the dial is original (would need more photos). Case condition also isn’t clear, but gold capped cases often have wear through the gold. Crown is a replacement.

MinnieK · Jan 28, 2021

Thank you!!! I have a sneaking suspicion from lurking in this forum that the dial on the second one is redialled - have put a couple more photos in case of interest... but have no expertise to base this on. Interesting about the crown thank you!!! I might stick with my very expensive first option and reconcile overpaying as I know my Dad will be thrilled and he will never know I've been naive!!! haha.

seekingseaquest · Jan 28, 2021

To be clear, it *may* be a redial. I don’t like how white the font is, since it should be gilt. Photos that show the dial more clearly would help.

Have you checked the for sale forum here to see if there’s anything of interest?
https://omegaforums.net/forums/private-watch-sales/
https://omegaforums.net/forums/watches-for-sale/

wagudc · Jan 28, 2021

The advise you have gotten from @seekingseaquest is good. The first watch is indeed a nice one, but the price is indeed high. However, if your Dad's birthday is a month away, and you are dead set on an original black dialed Seamaster, it may be hard to find one in your time frame. The watch sales forum here has some very nice watches at much better prices.

watchyouwant · Jan 28, 2021

Hmm....., Dads tend to have 60's birthdays only once. Many would wish to have a daughter like you with that thoughtful present. But: 2 avenues to consider here: if you can afford the money you paid and want to
avoid possible time related hick ups in going for another one delivered in time for the birthday, keep it. The one, you bought, should be max. Pounds 1100. Possible solutions here: 1) which country are you in? Txt. the seller, that you want to return the watch, because you found another omega locally and much cheaper. Go for a substantial refund or return. Be aware, that shipping, receiving and return the money to you in Covid times might take too long. 2) Ask here for help regarding an alternative in time for the birthday. Browse the sales section for 1961 black dials and maybe something pops up here and the Fora guys will make sure you get it in time. Your story will make that happen. No harm in updating us with your thoughts and advice will be given freely to achieve your goal for your Dad. Kind regards. Achim

MinnieK · Jan 29, 2021

Thank you so much everybody!!! So so helpful. Second watch is a no go I agree. I will call the seller of the first watch today - they have already agreed the return and fortunately nothing has been shipped yet as buyer's remorse struck so swiftly haha!! I may see if they will consider bringing down the price and will then decide on whether I just keep it and forgive myself my naivety as the end recipient will never know I didn't pay the correct price, to avoid time stress as you say @watchyouwant..... In the meantime I will have a look through the forums here - great idea and a great community to purchase from. Thank you!

Edward53 · Jan 29, 2021

As has been said, black dial Seamasters are extremely difficult to find in good original condition and the likelihood of turning up another in the time you have available is remote. This watch looks pretty good to me and if it's been competently serviced (receipt essential otherwise you just don't know) that adds another couple of £ hundred to its value. Dealer prices are higher than private ones for obvious reasons, and on that basis I think that, say, £1200 from a dealer is not outrageous. So yes you overpaid, but not IMO quite as badly as some suggest, and if you are determined to get him a black dial Seamaster you could justify the extra as a premium for finding "the" watch at very short notice. Worth considering if you could negotiate it down to £2K? Just my thoughts.

MinnieK · Jan 29, 2021

Thank you so much all for your help - managed to negotiate down to just above 2k and am just going to chalk up the difference in worth vs paid to a learning exercise - am so excited to gift it and do think it looks wonderful to my untrained eye. Next time I'll give myself longer and make sure I'm buying for myself - so many beautiful watches on this forum, very inspiring!! Thanks again all and enjoy your weekends.

Edward53 · Jan 29, 2021

Opinions may vary but personally I think that is a good call. And there are not many users on this forum who haven't paid tuition fees in some form or other, sometimes a good deal higher than you. When I started out I was several hundred pounds out with a "black dial" Constellation that I had to sell on for the value of the case and movement. You end up with a nice watch and your Dad's gratitude which seems ok to me. Just make sure he knows it's a rare original black dial and stress the hard work you put in to find it among all the repainted ones!

wagudc · Jan 29, 2021

A hunt for a rare watch at a reasonable price can take months or years. Happy Birthday to your Dad and welcome to the forum. We hope you stay awhile.

Screwbacks · Jan 29, 2021

just my 2 cents, birthyear watch is hard to find. hopefully, the seller will agree to give you a good reduction as if he is sharing a sort of celebration on your dad's special day being a senior citizen already. your choice is a nice dial and yes very rare to find. dont forget to record his reaction. 😉😀

masteroftime · Jan 29, 2021

Not that my opinion really matters or is relevant, but I think you made a good call. You did overpay, but finding a black dialed watch from 1961 is going to be a long endeavor and I often see black dialed watches go up on ebay auction for high amounts (and they're often redialed). Most people on the forum hunt for a while for their perfect birth year watch of choice. Under your time constrains, you may not have too many other options. If in this short time, you decide to get a less common dial color (white, silver, etc), then you could probably save 30-40% (but this may not matter since you're looking for the perfect gift). I will say, I REALLY like this model. Your dad is very lucky. Happy Birthday to him!

UncleBuck · Jan 29, 2021

BOX WANTED!

I was wondering if any forum members would have a period correct box for you? I don't but someone may.

I don't think you can post in the Want To Buy section yet but maybe someone has one and could help you out.

They would post here and you could pm them or they could pm you direct.

MinnieK · Jan 29, 2021

Am blown away by all of your kind messages and help thank you - hope to one day be able to impart advice myself and look forward to indulging my new love of old Omega watches!!!! 😀

DanT · Jan 29, 2021

What an amazing gift - you win the OF daughter of the year award

DaveK · Jan 29, 2021

DanT
What an amazing gift - you win the OF daughter of the year award

The year is still young, and the bar is set high for that award. If she buys @UncleBuck a black dialed Seamaster for his good suggestion about getting a watch box, then yes, she gets the award 👍

wagudc · Jan 29, 2021

MinnieK
Am blown away by all of your kind messages and help thank you - hope to one day be able to impart advice myself and look forward to indulging my new love of old Omega watches!!!! 😀

You put the energy into giving us all the relevant information into a polite, well written post and clearly have an interest in the watches. I think this group is always happy to go out of their way to welcome someone like that.

amcclell · Jan 29, 2021

The first watch is one of the nicest black dial Seamasters that I have seen from that era in a long time. The case is equally nice and although expensive, it is a beautiful watch. I agree that the second looks like a redial as suggested by @seekingseaquest. If you ever get tired of your father, I am pretty easy going and turn 60 in 2023.

MinnieK · Feb 2, 2021

I will bear that in mind @amcclell !! haha! Well thank you all again and I am pleased to report that the watch arrived today and it's soooo lovely - every bit or better even than it looks in photos! The birthday is next week and am now on the search for a box - such a good suggestion @UncleBuck thank you it will complete the present perfectly!