Possible first buy - 135.011

dan1 · Feb 19, 2021

Hi,

I have been following the Omega market for a while and might finally be ready for my first buy.

I have fallen for a 1960ies Seamaster ref. 135.011, cal. 601.

It is for sale for around 900 USD. It looks in very good condition to me (althoug somewhat scratched here and there) when comparing to pictures of similar models.

According to the seller it has not been polished, which looks right to my untrained eye. Also the dial seems in very good condition and the crystal is original Omega. I have asked for pictures of the inside, but the seller cannot open the watch on his own and watch shops are currently closed due to the pandemic.

Questions:
Does this look like a good buy?
Should I be worried that I cannot find the ref. no. 135.011 on Omega's website?
Should I insist on seeing the insides before buying

?

MtV · Feb 19, 2021

D dan1
Does this look like a good buy?
Should I be worried that I cannot find the ref. no. 135.011 on Omega's website?
Should I insist on seeing the insides before buying

Hey Dan, nice looking example. 😀 Condition looks pretty good to me, it has obviously been worn but since you're planning on doing the same those light scratches all around are ok in my opinion. Also, the dial will probably look even nicer once you've polished the plexi.

No need to worry regarding the ref: Try googling "Omega 135.0011" and you'll find it in the vintage archives. And to prevent you from the next shock: Yes, it does exist as a Seamaster 600, a Genève, and a "regular" Seamaster, as I've only found out recently: https://omegaforums.net/threads/sm-600-genève-sm-60s-coathanger-s-what-is-it.127622/

I'd insist on seeing a picture from the inside unless it's a mega bargain, which 900USD certainly isn't. I'm not a 100% up to date with prices on those but to me it feels like being on the high side, especially since you'll have to count in cost for a service. Have you tried searching eBay for "sold articles" with the ref? That'll give you an idea about a realistic price.

Dan S · Feb 19, 2021

It's not a bargain, but it looks legit to me based on what can be seen in the photos, and this model is a good entry point for a new collector IMO. I don't think you will regret buying it. Of course, if you can get photos of the inside, that's always better, especially if the seller doesn't even really know what it looks like himself.

LesXL · Feb 19, 2021

Agree with the above... Dial looks quite nice but the crystal could use some love. It is a very "passe partout" watch, dressy on black leather strap, more casual on colourful suede or brown ones. So, very versatile.

Better to see the inside and evaluate if any urgent servicing could be needed if it is to become a daily wear. As other mentioned, on the high pricing wise, any additional cost should be considered.

Best of luck

JwRosenthal · Feb 19, 2021

+4, looks fine, case has honest wear but not abuse and crystal should polish up nicely with a wet sand (there are a few threads here on how to do it yourself).
I wouldn’t insist on a movement shot, he doesn’t know how to open it and that’s fine, I wouldn’t want him to mangle the case back trying. We all know it’s going to need a service regardless of what it looks like, they always do. I would see if he would come down to $6-700, then with the cost of a service, you have a great watch for under $1k

MtV · Feb 19, 2021

JwRosenthal
We all know it’s going to need a service regardless of what it looks like, they always do. I would see if he would come down to $6-700, then with the cost of a service, you have a great watch for under $1k

Aaaand +1 on that price range. The one I discussed yesterday (see link above) was offered to me for the equivalent of 600$, for example. I know, wrong continent and that doesn't really help you, but that's just to say they're out there for this kind of money. 😀

Jakku · Feb 19, 2021

Looks lovely! I think certainly thats the pricier side and you can get some much more desirable models in that price range which is probably what I'd be doing.

I sold one similar, Cal 601. Geneve not Seamaster for £450 a while back and unfortunately after a month it stopped running despite a very clean movement that had always run well, so do make sure to just assume it will want a service and add that cost or just bear it in mind. On that note the one I had was also pretty small so do check dimensions are what you'd be happy with.

JwRosenthal · Feb 19, 2021

Looking at this watch again, it is in really nice shape compared to most we see. The dial is excellent (usually they have speckling or some moisture damage), case lines are nicely defined (not unpolished but mildly), and the back is gouge free with nicely engraved logo. I would say this one is worthy of a premium- how much is up to the OP.

dsio · Feb 19, 2021

JwRosenthal
Looking at this watch again, it is in really nice shape compared to most we see. The dial is excellent (usually they have speckling or some moisture damage), case lines are nicely defined (not unpolished but mildly), and the back is gouge free with nicely engraved logo. I would say this one is worthy of a premium- how much is up to the OP.

Something to mention on these cases, they are far better than average in terms of water resistance for the era. I’ve bought and sold many of these, mainly because I like stealing the 1039 bracelets that are often on them for my Speedmasters. I’ve yet to find one with a genuinely bad or water damaged dial, the screw back case, fairly good crown, and well designed case keeps them in good shape.

There are also a lot of them which is why I tend to sell them on head only for $500-750 after servicing them, that’s significantly less than this one with a full service included. Unserviced I’d be paying $350-400 at most.

JwRosenthal · Feb 19, 2021

dsio
Something to mention on these cases, they are far better than average in terms of water resistance for the era. I’ve bought and sold many of these, mainly because I like stealing the 1039 bracelets that are often on them for my Speedmasters. I’ve yet to find one with a genuinely bad or water damaged dial, the screw back case, fairly good crown, and well designed case keeps them in good shape.

There are also a lot of them which is why I tend to sell them on head only for $500-750 after servicing them, that’s significantly less than this one with a full service included. Unserviced I’d be paying $350-400 at most.

So you are the reason I can’t find that bracelet for my 18mm Seamasters 😉

JwRosenthal · Feb 19, 2021

And to your point @dsio - I agree that if you know what you are looking for and can hunt, yes, you can find these in great shape for $400- that’s what I paid for mine. But the market is changing rapidly and prices for vintage are climbing fast. For a new-comer who stumbled onto this watch, he found a good one. Yes, he could do better for cheaper, but the learning curve is steep.

dsio · Feb 19, 2021

JwRosenthal
So you are the reason I can’t find that bracelet for my 18mm Seamasters 😉

Mate good news though, I have MAAAANY ENDLINKS for that Seamaster lol. Somewhere in my parts box there are like dozen pairs of #4 and similar

dan1 · Feb 20, 2021

Thank you all so much for your contributions. This is much appreciated and really helps me a lot!

The price also seemed a little steep to me, but I have seen a couple of similar watches in the same range recently in the Danish market. Prices seem to have gone up in the 1-2 years. Unfortunately, anything I buy on eBay outside the EU would see 20-25% of duties, import fees, VAT etc. added on top of the listed price. But I will try to get the price down maybe 100-200 USD in any case and try to keep my FOMO in check

I am a little in doubt on what to do if the seller cannot show me the movement. Watch shops will probably not reopen for a while and other buyers could probably overlook this. Again, it is probably just FOMO.

I am planning to use the watch, so it needs to be without deep scratches and with a nice crystal. I will definitely look into polishing the crystal. This is probably pure heresy, but how do you see the prospects of lightly polishing the case too (only if scratches are deemed a big issue when receiving the watch)? Would that be a total no-go and reduce the value significantly?

nicks · Feb 20, 2021

Very nice watch. You would be taking a chance not seeing the movement, but considering the overall very good condition, it’s not a big gamble. I’d expect a pleasant surprise.

You could do a light hand polish. Thing is, if you wear it, it will have new scratches soon enough. Scratches tend to look awful under magnification, not so much on the wrist. If you get it, wear it for a while and then decide.

Prices have definitely gone up. This one is on the high side; maybe you can help the seller take some money off to take the servicing into account.

kingsrider · Feb 20, 2021

I had one of these few a few months. I never could grow attached to it because the watch appeared to small on my wrist. I have a 7-1/2" wrist and prefer watches with a little more width. It is a personal taste issue to be sure. Just so you know the case tapers in from the underside to the top at the bezel, so the specs are a little deceiving.

Dan S · Feb 20, 2021

D dan1
The price also seemed a little steep to me, but I have seen a couple of similar watches in the same range recently in the Danish market. Prices seem to have gone up in the 1-2 years. Unfortunately, anything I buy on eBay outside the EU would see 20-25% of duties, import fees, VAT etc. added on top of the listed price. But I will try to get the price down maybe 100-200 USD in any case and try to keep my FOMO in check

It's a common watch, no reason for FOMO. I think he will have trouble selling it for that asking price. Especially if he's not even knowledgeable enough to open a simple case-back.

dan1 · Feb 21, 2021

Thanks again everyone. Appreciate the inputs a lot.

On the size issue, I do realize that it is somewhat small compared to modern watches, but I have a similar sized watch from a family member, which I think is fine.

The seller has gone down to a little under 800 USD, incl. shipping. He seems alright based on our communication and on a background check on Google, but wants upfront payment. I am leaning towards taking the deal at the moment. I probably need to strike soon. Looking further into customs rules it turns out that a 600 USD watch on eBay would end up being more than 800 USD post customs charges, which narrows the chances of a better deal out there.

Dan S · Feb 21, 2021

D dan1
Looking further into customs rules it turns out that a 600 USD watch on eBay would end up being more than 800 USD post customs charges, which narrows the chances of a better deal out there.

Customs into what country? You don't have to buy a watch from the US.

dan1 · Feb 21, 2021

Dan S
Customs into what country? You don't have to buy a watch from the US.

Into Denmark. It basically applies to all countries outside the EU, incl. UK. Many watches of this type I find on eBay are from UK, US or JP. But of course not impossible to find listings from inside the EU.

Dan S · Feb 21, 2021

D dan1
Into Denmark. It basically applies to all countries outside the EU, incl. UK. Many watches of this type I find on eBay are from UK, US or JP. But of course not impossible to find listings from inside the EU.

Fortunately, there are many OF members in the EU. So don't give up on that.

Possible first buy - 135.011

dan1

MtV

Dan S

LesXL

JwRosenthal

MtV

Jakku

JwRosenthal

dsio

JwRosenthal

JwRosenthal

dsio

dan1

nicks

kingsrider

Dan S

dan1

Dan S

dan1

Dan S

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