Possible purchase Seamaster -opinions welcome

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Bruce235

·Jul 10, 2023

So this came up locally it's a 168.024 seamaster chronometer. I think it is all good. It's got a little patina, but acceptable. Nice Omega BOR too. I already have a steel, champagne pie pan 14900 so somewhat similar.
Or...
this cool Eterna - Birks came up, but far away so I can't inspect. It has a black, pie pan, waffle, two tone dial which I think is unique and quite striking.
Both would need servicing and the Eterna asking price is 25% less.
Which one would you go for?

 

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Dan S

·Jul 10, 2023

You should probably buy both if you like them and the prices are good. The Eterna case looks pretty soft. Is it gold?

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 10, 2023

I think it is just gold filled or capped. The back is SS and so are the back of lugs.

Love to have both, thanks for the encouragement. My house a/c is on the blink and I just spent way too much on needless modding of my car. Fun money has a limit.

 

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Dan S

·Jul 10, 2023

Gold capped, then. Well, it's a coin toss, in that case. The Eterna is much more interesting and uncommon, but I'd want to get a closer look at the case to see if it's acceptable.

You can always find a 168.024, but if the price is good there's no risk in buying it since it's an easy flip if you change your mind.

I would have expected the price of the Eterna to be discounted by much more than 25% given that it's just gold-capped and polished, the dial is heavily patinated, and the Omega has a bracelet. Given what I know about 168.024 valuation, the Eterna sounds expensive. Maybe unrealistic

Maybe you can make an offer and get both for a fair price. Sellers are often happy to unload multiple watches.

Edited: Jul 10, 2023

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 10, 2023

Two different sellers or I definitely would do the package. I agree the Eterna is asking a lot even if unique. I thing the seller will take $200 less maybe
Good point on the abundance of 168.024s.

 

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AlexD

·Jul 10, 2023

I will definetly chose the Omega if it will not be possible to buy both. Regards.

 

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DON

·Jul 10, 2023

Eterna dial looks tired. Hands look dull as do the indexes

Omega looks nicer

 

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watchyouwant

·Jul 10, 2023

Omega.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 11, 2023

I don’t understand why people are so coy about the prices for watches they’re considering. Let us know the actual prices and we can advise with more confidence.

 

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theycallmeSerg

·Jul 11, 2023

Davidt

I don’t understand why people are so coy about the prices for watches they’re considering. Let us know the actual prices and we can advise with more confidence.

I agree. Even for people who are fairly new to this world (like me) it would be a good hint to understand the market a bit better and make more thoughtful choices. In love with that SM btw 😟

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 11, 2023

Sure $1090 CDN for Seamaster, $800 CDN for Eterna. Pre-negotiation

 

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Aroxx

·Jul 11, 2023

I was ready to love the black waffle dial but the watch as a whole is not doing it for me. I’d go for the Omega.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 11, 2023

Out of the two I’d go for the Omega but would see to see better pictures etc to confirm it’s worth pursuing

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 11, 2023

Going to see the Omega in person. The pics are not great, over exposed. There is definitely patina on the dial, fairly even though. Not sure how good the case
Eterna pics are really really bad. It may be tired though. I will ask for daylight close ups.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 11, 2023

Bear in mind these mid/late 60’s Seamasters can be found with very good dials so absolutely no need to accept a dial with deterioration.

Edited: Jul 11, 2023

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 11, 2023

Aroxx

I was ready to love the black waffle dial but the watch as a whole is not doing it for me. I’d go for the Omega.

I hear you, the case style let's it down some, especially if it's over polished. My other Eterna has a nicer case but weaker dial. It's hard to get the whole deal in one vintage watch in good condition. Keeps us looking.

 

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rendo

·Jul 11, 2023·faux legend

I would go for the Omega if I had to pick one. Eterna looks nice to me as well even with the soft case.
I think this one has the same case for comparison, probably polished as well but not as much:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/eterna-matic-chronometer.65210/

 

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iamvr

·Jul 11, 2023

IMO 1090 CAD for the SM Chronometer incl. BoR is very reasonable. If you have the chance to see the watch live, do that. More often than not, digital pictures highlight dial patina and spotting which are not or less visible with the naked eye.

 

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__ryan__

·Jul 11, 2023

I'll just mention that the "correct" bracelet for these Seamasters is the 5-row BOR, not the 7-row bracelet. The crown looks to be a replacement (which is often the case) but the one selected here looks a bit odd to me. Maybe from a later period. Those might not be deal breakers, but something to be aware of.

The case on that Eterna is too soft for my taste.

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 11, 2023

I wondered about the crown, the correct one should be narrower I think.