Request for opinions for this Omega dial

Hello,

I am new here and really appreciate everyone's knowledge accrued over years of interest and research.

I am looking to buy a decent, relatively low cost Vintage Omega. I just want an honest example and have no real preference as to model so it can be a Seamster, Geneve (from the 60's or 70's because I understand the earlier Geneve's where higher end), a Gent's watch, etc...The more I look at watches, cases, dials and movements, the more questions arise. Ebay is great. I look carefully at an auction and then I question some feature or aspect the watch. I don't have a lot for this budget so I want to get it right!

I just began to read through an interesting thread topic on this forum; paraphrase; "Which Ebay watches are good to buy" This is a very helpful topic to someone like myself with limited knowledge. However, a week ago, I placed a deposit on a watch from what I believe to be a reputable and knowledgable on-line dealer. It is this watch that I now have a question on. I can always contact the seller, ask him a question and switch to another watch in his inventory. The seller is very nice, accommodating and available by phone. But I thought I'd get total objectivity by coming here to ask multiple experts.

Here is the watch. Pictured is the dial, movement and case.It has a lot of "patina" as you can see!! Good or bad, I'm guessing this is very subjective as I've read a LOT on "Patina" dials. Very entertaining! haha. But that is not a problem to me. My big question is on the dial configuration which is a quarterly arabic numeraled dial. Here are the 2 questions I'm having with this dial;
1- I cannot find one single photo example of a center-seconds hand 285 Gent's watch with a 12, 3, 6 and 9 arabic numeral dial. Most if not all are all markers on the dial and the few I did locate with the 12, 3,6 and 9, do not have lume pips at all. This one does.
2- I am now wondering if these numerals were, at some time in the distant past, placed on this dial because they look a little small as compared to the markers on the dial. So now I am undecided without some expert opinion.

So I am inviting comments, clarification and any cautions on this watch I'v placed some money on. Like I said, I can switch to a different watch in his inventory if I want to or need to.

Thanks so much in advance for any and all comments!

The dial looks good. There were many variations of those dials with different numeral configurations. If you like the patina and the price is right...Here is another example:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/my-first-post-and-first-omega-seamaster-14390-61.24606/

Thanks fjf. That is very reassuring. I guess Omega had a LOT of dial variations and this is the main source of my caution on this one. The price is maybe a little high but for me it works since he is allowing me to pay over a period of time. Plus, the movement was just fully service by the seller and he gives a lifetime warranty on the movement and he charges is a mere $100.00 service fee every three to five years. To me this is a safe bet.

The dial looks good to le as well.

But I am a bit surprised by this:


A life time warranty on a vintage movement? With services fees of only 100$? Could be too good to be true. Do you know well the seller?

Well, I’ve been looking at his watches for over a year. Like I said, he’s a phone call away and very nice to talk to. While I don’t know him, ( he’s in Canada and I’m in PA) I have a very good impression of him.

The warranty extends to the initial buyer.

OK. Can I ask you the price of the watch?

Hi rifmon,
I am afraid the correct movement for ref.14390 (if I read it correctly from the photo of the caseback ) is cal.267. Otherwise, the dial appears fine to me.
Hope the above helps.
Cheers,

The case back indicates SC, so should be a second central movement, as the OP's watch has. I am not saying that the movement necessarily belongs to this watch though - would need pics of the movement to make an opinion!

It was $950.00 plus shipping. I asked for a discount and it’s now $900.00 delivered. It may be considered a little high but I perceive the trade off to be a freshly serviced watch, corrrct movement, correct case and dial hands, etc. add to that the Kay away and good price on future service. For me it was a comfort to know it’s a correct original watch.

Here is the description

Thank you for your answer. I understand your reasons, and obviously you are the one who decides! But I think this is way to expansive for such a watch, even if it has just been serviced. And the futur services can be done elsewhere. You may have to pay more than 100$ - actually you would very likely pay much more for a decent service! - but it is not necessarily an issue if you first pay a fair price for your watch.

I would say that with the current price, you already pay several services...

It looks OK and the watch is nice. So it is up to you now!

Thanks very much for all your input. So now I know it’s a good watch and genuine. There’s no free lunch here so that’s why the service is so inexpensive! I’m paying ahead. Maybe by ten years?

So I’ll wrestle with my decision. Truth be told, I feel a little bad backing out after all my correspondence with the seller. Maybe the cost is worth it for me.

Hi Pepin,
You are quite right SC is for center second. Maybe it is a 1962 variation for center second.
Thanks,

I think it is rather the contrary: 14390 are from the begining SC watches with a 285. Check the Omega database:

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-ck-14390/

I find this all very interesting.

Another comment; I now understand there are many dial variety’s in Omega’s line through the years which is why I couldn’t locate a similar dial. In contrast, I have a vintage Hamilton and i can easily find the case and dial design in old archive catologues. I’m guessing not so easy with vintage Omegas!

I've seen a lot of this guy's watches on Instagram. He gets nice pieces but the prices are quite high...what do you expect with a dealer though...