Recent auction purchase - 1980s quartz seamaster legitimacy check

FrankenWatch46 · Aug 13, 2023

Hi all - I recently purchased this quartz seamaster from a reputable online seller via auction and it is in great condition. I was told it’s a 1980s, possibly 1985 jubilee, quartz seamaster 1425 movement with the strap being possibly aftermarket but everything else omega original.

I however I haven’t quite managed to find another piece with numerals on the dial so am unsure as to whether this is a legitimate quartz seamaster and wanted to check. I took it to one horologist last week who said it looks fine externally but as he was closing up shop I wasn’t able to get it opened to check any serial numbers.

I was also planning on taking it to an omega london boutique for a further check hopefully. But in the meantime I would be grateful for any advice.

efauser · Aug 13, 2023

In the future, ask before you buy it.

FrankenWatch46 · Aug 14, 2023

efauser
In the future, ask before you buy it.

Any opinion or help as to its legitimacy?

FrankenWatch46 · Aug 14, 2023

Anybody?

MRC · Aug 14, 2023

It seems the 1425 is a day+date movement, where is the day? I see lumed hands but not a lumed dial. Is the second hand a little short? It's odd to see it the same length as the minute hand. The boutique may not be much help, they don't grok 40 year old watches, but they might get the caseback off for interior photos for you.

As always we need to see inside.

KaiseRRuby · Aug 14, 2023

The ref of the watch should be inside the caseback. If you can give us that, we can try to find out differences.

FrankenWatch46 · Aug 15, 2023

Hi all. So I took the watch to the Bond Street Omega Boutique watchmaker just now and had these pictures taken.

I don’t really understand the totality of what he was saying but he said that it’s original, the only thing is the bezel has been replaced or refurbished, and the movement has been “partially updated” “to be more modern”. I then asked whether this means it’s been tampered with but he said no it’s a normal refurbishment and “is original Omega”.

I am still unsure what to make of this and would appreciate the forums help.

please see photos attached

MRC · Aug 15, 2023

The numbers on which to base your research are:
1425 - on movement and caseback
196 0243 - on caseback
396 0939 - on caseback (an alternate to 196 0243)
46343714 - on movement

The original batteries for these movements are no longer legal and a minor modification needs to be made to the battery compartment to fit modern ones. That could be the "partial update", definitely "more modern".

FrankenWatch46 · Aug 15, 2023

MRC
The numbers on which to base your research are:
1425 - on movement and caseback
196 0243 - on caseback
396 0939 - on caseback (an alternate to 196 0243)
46343714 - on movement

The original batteries for these movements are no longer legal and a minor modification needs to be made to the battery compartment to fit modern ones. That could be the "partial update", definitely "more modern".

And what should I be doing with these numbers?

watchyouwant · Aug 15, 2023

Try Google ....

redpcar · Aug 15, 2023

Google: 192 0243 Omega and 396 0939 Omega

MRC · Aug 15, 2023

F FrankenWatch46
And what should I be doing with these numbers?

Go to the search site you find most effective and type in "Omega" and the number. Take a look at all the results that seem to offer some information without wanting to sell you something. Read, read, read.

"for sale" web pages follow Sturgeon's Law. And he was an optimist.

FrankenWatch46 · Aug 15, 2023

Hi all. Thanks for your help.
So from my searching it looks like it checks out, unless there is something else I should be looking at or doing?

The 1425 is a quartz movement which fits.
The serial number 46343714 shows that it is a watch from 1984, which fits.
The 7 digit numbers match with other quartz seamasters from 1980s that I’ve seen on searches.

Pictures attached.

any further advice is welcome, thanks.