Hi Folks, I got my hands on an old Omega Seamaster 300. The watch came straight from the family of the first owner, who happened to be a watchmaker. The family told me, that after a short while the bezel inlay of the watch started to break and the watchmaker was not very pleased with the quality of the insert. So he got rid of all the plasticc and engraved the numbers on the alloy ring himself. Hands on modification in the mid 60s for a tool watch... Unfortunately in the 70s or 80s, they couldn't really remember, the hands also started to lose lume, so your man exchanged them as well for ones with better legibility. An error that I corrected to the best of my ability. I sourced an original handset. The lollipop would oviously be for an earlier watch but I love the look and I think it will be easy to find the spear hand in exchange for the desirable lollipop. A really nice Bonus are the original papers that came with the watch. It's the original receipt of 385DM and the Omega guarantee booklet. So in my opinion all in all a really nice watch with great history. I have to say I'd be happy if the guy left the bezel alone, though. What is your opinion on this find? Although I have no real intentions to sell the watvh at the moment, could we try to stick a value on it? Thanks and I hope you enjoyed the little story.
Wow that is a beauty! The dial is superb and a very rare find with original papers. If I were you I'd leave that bezel as is, it actually looks pretty good and even if you have the insert redone by Aldo it will never be original again anyway.
Congrats @cell1010 That a nice time capsule sort of watch, in great condition. I would likely not do any work on the bezel...for a long long while. If at all. Keep it original...my 2cents
I agree to leave as is. It is quite a find and the dial is superb. I believe that yours is an early 63 as it has the dial which is present in the 14755-61 and the 165014-62. My 165014-63, in rather rough condition, has the newer dial which is standard, I think, in the last 014, the 165014-64. I would leave the bezel as is. Lots of original owners engrave their watches. Your's decided to engrave the front . Edit: I doubt if your lollipop seconds hand is correct for a 63. It would, however, look very correct on my 61 (or 2913). I'll do you a favor and trade hands, even up . See pics below. 14755-61 165014-62 165014-63 165014-64
Good catch congtarulation . Far better looking that the one I picked up last year .i need to address the bezel and the hands But I've been saying that for the past year now again great catch ps, take Gemini 4 up on his offer
Incredible find! And congrats on sourcing the hands, as that makes a huge difference in the attraction of this particular one. Also, may just be me, but I actually love the engravings on the bezel. Who needs to wait 18 months for Aldo when you can just do that!
I'd have the bezel done, I must be one of the philistines around here that doesn't like a missing bezel insert on a vintage 300 dive watch. So what if it is more 'original' like that, which actually is a comment I disagree with, as 'originally' it did have a bezel insert. For asthetics and for one to get any kind of usage out of that bezel an insert is not only very attractive to the eye but also necessary for functionality on the wrist. As for the lollipop hand it looks great although it isn't period correct. Also regarding the value of the lollipop...you could be very pleasantly surprised!
I was joking regarding the second hand swap. The lolli value far exceeds my (correct) teardrop version.
Love the engraved bezel - makes this look like the Daytona 6239/6265 version of the Seamaster (vis-a-vis the 6264/6263 plastic bezel).
@M'Bob thanks for adding something really nice to the posting not just a shabby old piece of metal ;-) Thanks guys for all the advice and opinions. I would obviously take the first original and intact bezel but that they don't surface too often. So I leave it as it is for the moment. I'm still not 100% sure what I'll do with the second hand. I really love the look of the lollipop but it's not period correct... @gemini4 could you share the serial of your 62 and 63 SM300s with me please? Anyone able to put an approximate value on my watch?
Very nice watch, congratulation! Its amazing you were able to source the hands, did you relume them to match the dial? Im thinking about doing that on my 2913. I thought a 63 would have T SWISS MADE T markings, not sure what the experts say. As for the price, this one sold yesterday with buy it now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Omega-Seama...995956?hash=item3ae29c47b4:g:11wAAOSwdjNZBUhuPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network Not nearly as nice as it has much less desirable dial but seems to have the original bezel intact which would be hard to put a price on. Enjoy that beauty