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Questions about potential Seamaster De Ville purchase (sorry). Looks great, but I have questions...

rumbers
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Hi, I wonder if you can help, o' hive mind! I've become slightly obsessed with vintage Omegas and need a steer.

I'm looking at buying a Seamaster on eBay, but the photos of the movement and case are a bit blurred. The seller has excellent feedback (100% since 2017 with 2.4k sales), so I have no reason to doubt he is a genuine seller, and all my dealings with him have been very pleasant and professional.

It's a linen dial Seamaster De Ville advertised to be from the 60s. The patina on the lume looks fine to my untrained eye.

I've looked on the Omega vintage database, and I'm slightly nervous that the movement doesn't seem to be stamped with much - no number - just Omega Watch Co Swiss and 20 Twenty Jewels (see photos) unless it's underneath the auto mechanism (which, looking at other similar movements, it probably is)
Screenshot 2024-10-30 at 15.37.29.webp
. The stamp on the inside of the back case looks like it says 2846/8-1SC? Again, a bit blurred.

Questions before I commit - I love the look of it:

  • thoughts on authenticity? What are your observations?
  • what's the model / date? I'm a bit stumped!
  • thoughts on condition / anything else that's a red flag?
Thanks so much for any insights and advice you can give,

Best wishes,
Mat.
Screenshot 2024-10-30 at 15.37.29.webp s-l1600.webp s-l1600-9.webp s-l1600-8.webp s-l1600-1.webp s-l1600-1.webp s-l1600-9.webp
 
Dan S
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Not a DeVille but 2846 is a nice reference. Unfortunately, the condition of the case would be a no-go for me on that particular example. Also, just as an FYI, the movement appears to have a mix of gold and copper colored parts, which suggests a lot of replacement.

Ideally, you would see sharp chamfers on the bezel and lugs, and visible engraving on the case-back. Here is one I sold a while back.
IMG_1649.webp IMG_1651.webp IMG_1652.webp IMG_1654.webp
Edited:
 
rumbers
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Dan S Dan S
Not a DeVille but 2846 is a nice reference. Unfortunately, the condition of the case would be a no-go for me on that particular example. Also, just as an FYI, the movement appears to have a mix of gold and copper colored parts, which suggests a lot of replacement.
Thank you so much for your insights. In terms of the case, do you mean the engraving / inscription? I wondered about that, but I'm not after a perfect example to be fair (more a wearable timepiece). Interesting about the movement and replacement parts... Do you have any idea of date for this one? Or is that something you can only tell from the serial number (which I can't see)? At first sight, would it appear 'legitimate' to you (based on what you can see!). Thanks again.
 
Spruce
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I normally agree with @Dan S but I’m assuming that he’s not keen on polished cases but I don’t think that this is over polished for my taste so I would happily wear it.

That said, you haven’t mentioned the price, which might concern me
 
rendo
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I would pass on the watch as it's overpolished and overpriced, and the seller. Nowhere in the listing he mentions the engraving that someone tried to remove by overpolishing it. He's not showing that photo in the listing either.

edit: corrected after fixing my eyes
 
Dan S
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I added some photos of a 2846 I sold in the past. If you compare the photos, you will see dramatic differences. You can, of course, choose to ignore the polishing, but there is no doubt that the OP watch is badly over-polished, IMO. There is no reason to compromise on the case, which is such an important part of condition.

The serial number is probably hidden underneath the rotor, so you don't have that information.
 
rumbers
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Spruce Spruce
I normally agree with @Dan S but I’m assuming that he’s not keen on polished cases but I don’t think that this is over polished for my taste so I would happily wear it.

That said, you haven’t mentioned the price, which might concern me
Sorry, up for £925
 
rumbers
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rendo rendo
I would pass on the watch as it's overpolished and overpriced, and the seller. Nowhere in the listing he mentions the engraving that someone tried to remove by overpolishing it. He's not showing that photo in the listing either.

edit: corrected after fixing my eyes
It might be to absorb eBay seller fees, though I think those have recently changed! What, in your experience, would be a reasonable offer?
 
rumbers
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Dan S Dan S
I added some photos of a 2846 I sold in the past. If you compare the photos, you will see dramatic differences. You can, of course, choose to ignore the polishing, but there is no doubt that the OP watch is badly over-polished, IMO. There is no reason to compromise on the case, which is such an important part of condition.

The serial number is probably hidden underneath the rotor, so you don't have that information.
I just got an answer from the seller (and a video he helpfully just took of the movement): "I’ve got an answer for you! Here is a video of the movement for you. If you compare it to other photos of the 501 movement (not 503 which I made the mistake of earlier!) you can see this one is spot on. Where the serial number usually is (I’ve pointed at it in the video with a screwdriver) has R 17937 printed instead. After some research, a replacement plate by Omega will have a reference number but no serial number, as the serial number is for the watch not the part. This means this part will have been replaced with another Omega part as expected for a watch of this age and so the reference number of the part is visible but the serial number is not as the part is new. I hope that makes sense but the long story short is it’s a genuine Omega part that has been replaced in a service."
 
Dan S
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The replacement bridge in the movement (therefore, no serial number) reduces the collectible value, on top of the over-polishing, the poorly removed custom engraving, etc. I would put the value of this watch below $500 USD. For the asking price, you could get a really nice Seamaster with BoR bracelet.
 
rendo
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rumbers rumbers
It might be to absorb eBay seller fees, though I think those have recently changed! What, in your experience, would be a reasonable offer?
I don't know the current market on these, so eBay sold listings would be a better gauge for the price. Without looking anything up, my ballpark estimate would be $500 - $600 depending on condition + $150 premium for a linen dial = $650 - $750. This is not for this watch, but for an identical watch in better condition.
 
rumbers
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rendo rendo
I don't know the current market on these, so eBay sold listings would be a better gauge for the price. Without looking anything up, my ballpark estimate would be $500 - $600 depending on condition + $150 premium for a linen dial = $650 - $750. This is not for this watch, but for an identical watch in better condition.
Oh. Wow. Thanks for the heads up!
 
rumbers
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rendo rendo
I don't know the current market on these, so eBay sold listings would be a better gauge for the price. Without looking anything up, my ballpark estimate would be $500 - $600 depending on condition + $150 premium for a linen dial = $650 - $750. This is not for this watch, but for an identical watch in better condition.
Dan S Dan S
The replacement bridge in the movement (therefore, no serial number) reduces the collectible value, on top of the over-polishing, the poorly removed custom engraving, etc. I would put the value of this watch below $500 USD.
Ouch. Thank you so much for the heads up too - good to know. Even in my profound ignorance of vintage Omegas, the lack of a serial number must be a big no-no. Sigh.
 
Dan S
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rumbers rumbers
Ouch. Thank you so much for the heads up too - good to know. Even in my profound ignorance of vintage Omegas, the lack of a serial number must be a big no-no. Sigh.
I am sensing that you don't realize how much the poor condition of the case affects the value.
 
Spruce
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I think that the price is high given the various factors mentioned above.

At that price, I doubt (famous last words) that there will be a stampede of purchasers.

I also think that you have time to look around, both on eBay and chrono24 and enter various filters including; vintage, Seamaster, automatic, steel case, and price ceiling.

I'd have a ceiling of £800 but would expect to find something nice for around £600ish, maybe slightly more if it’s in pristine condition but you have to remember to factor in a probable service, possibly VAT etc and postage.

If you find nothing you prefer, you can always go back and give him an informed 'take it or leave it' offer
 
rumbers
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Dan S Dan S
I am sensing that you don't realize how much the poor condition of the case affects the value.
You sense right 😉. But obviously I can completely appreciate why it would. I just didn't appreciate quite what a difference a replacement bridge and over-polishing / engraving on the case would make. I was more freaking out that it might be a fake!
 
rumbers
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Spruce Spruce
I think that the price is high given the various factors mentioned above.

At that price, I doubt (famous last words) that there will be a stampede of purchasers.

I also think that you have time to look around, both on eBay and chrono24 and enter various filters including; vintage, Seamaster, automatic, steel case, and price ceiling.

I'd have a ceiling of £800 but would expect to find something nice for around £600ish, maybe slightly more if it’s in pristine condition but you have to remember to factor in a probable service, possibly VAT etc and postage.

If you find nothing you prefer, you can always go back and give him an informed 'take it or leave it' offer
Hugely helpful, and great advice. I've bought from Chrono24 before (much newer models), and will certainly now have another look around. I'm a terrible impulse buyer, so all this advice is great for curbing my enthusiasm. What a great forum. It's so generous of you (all) to give your time and energy to a complete stranger who doesn't know his bridge from his elbow...
 
Spruce
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And given you taste in watches, I’d have a look at the Seamaster 166.010 which will be slightly larger than your initial watch

IMG_0438.webp
 
Dan S
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For the asking price, there is a similar watch for sale in the private sales section, in nice condition with a special dial and BoR bracelet. Not a recommendation, just a data point.
 
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