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Seamaster 300

Snowsquare
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Hi all

I'm looking for some guidance on a potential purchase. I've read the Forum's Vintage Omega Posting Guide and am using the suggested four point layout, and have reviewed omegaseamaster300.com.

1. Post Quality Pictures

(Please see attached)

2. What Can You Tell Us?

  • Recently serviced by Omega in 2024 (mechanical service + replacement steel case, ref. 005ST1660324)
  • Serial number: 3041xxxx
  • Location: UK

3. How Can We Help You?

I come from the Land-Rover world, so am familiar with the "original patina vs replacement parts" debate.

From what I can see, it looks like everything except the movement has been replaced and/or it might have started life as a Watchco (or equivalent) build. Am I right in assuming there's little to indicate whether it was originally a Seamaster? The Omega Service Centre invoice describes the watch as 166 024 SP - does that have any bearing on its previous life?

That said, as a non original-patina example, does the watch look sound overall. Anything that immediately sets alarm bells ringing or otherwise raises red flags?

What would you consider a reasonable price to pay?

4. Is It Owned Or Being Considered?

Being considered.

Thank you in advance to anyone who can share their expertise or perspective!
SM1.webp SM2.webp SM3.webp SM4.webp SM5.webp SM6.webp SM7.webp SM8.webp SM9.webp SM10.webp
 
watchlovr
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I’d like to see the invoice. Who did the work?
Parts looks good but are Omega doing pointed A engravings now?
 
calalum
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Not sure where you are headed. If you want to buy a vintage watch, you should buy a vintage watch.
 
Snowsquare
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Hi there - thank you
It was Omega, i.e. Swatch Group, in the UK - I've seen the invoice, but don't have a scan of it.
 
TexOmega
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I’m in at $100 but out at $10,000, so what is the ask?
 
Snowsquare
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calalum calalum
Not sure where you are headed. If you want to buy a vintage watch, you should buy a vintage watch.
Hi @calalum - Thanks for the reply. I was trying to leave the patina/restoration debate to the wider forum as it tends to get very heated! It's an individual preference, and though certainly worth thinking hard before "destroying" an original-patina watch, this one is not in that condition!
 
Snowsquare
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TexOmega TexOmega
I’m in at $100 but out at $10,000, so what is the ask?
Good question, was trying to gather thoughts here before starting on any negotiation! That's a decent spread!
 
Dan S
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I'm not sure of the question since you already seem to have all the answers, but have not shown the paperwork. According to the claims in the OP, Omega replaced the original parts with the parts currently on the watch. It's really not a matter of patina, but originality. All the vintage charm is gone, but it's still an authentic and wearable watch.

The only thing I would add is that the case appears to have been polished for sale, which is unfortunate since the case was apparently new and should have been sharper.
 
Snowsquare
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Dan S Dan S
It's most likely a WatchCo style build, with a small possibility that it was originally a SM300 with all parts replaced by Omega. Only the paperwork can tell, so you know better than us apparently.
Thanks @DanS, I was assuming similar (and certainly don't know better!). I don't think I have any paperwork which can tell anything different, just the serial number of 3041xxxx which I guess is towards the end of the correct range, but could have been in any number of other Omegas of the time.
 
Dan S
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Snowsquare Snowsquare
Thanks @DanS, I was assuming similar (and certainly don't know better!). I don't think I have any paperwork which can tell anything different, just the serial number of 3041xxxx which I guess is towards the end of the correct range, but could have been in any number of other Omegas of the time.
Please see my edited post, I wrote too quickly without reading your original post carefully. Having re-read your post, I reconsidered and do not think it was a watchCO build.
 
Snowsquare
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Dan S Dan S
I'm not sure of the question since you already seem to have all the answers, but have not shown the paperwork. According to the claims in the OP, Omega replaced the original parts with the parts currently on the watch. It's really not a matter of patina, but originality. All the vintage charm is gone, but it's still an authentic and wearable watch.
Hi @DanS, I do hope I haven't confused anyone.
I only know that - according to the service receipt which I have seen but don't have a scan of - that the watch was serviced by Omega (Swatch Group) in the UK in 2024. The service receipt shows that they did a mechanical service plus replacement of the stainless steel case (ref. 005ST1660324). I don't know when - or by who - other parts were replaced!
I totally agree about the vintage charm being gone, some people will hate that, for sure - I'd love to know what that means in terms of market value.
 
Snowsquare
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Dan S Dan S
I'm not sure of the question since you already seem to have all the answers, but have not shown the paperwork. According to the claims in the OP, Omega replaced the original parts with the parts currently on the watch. It's really not a matter of patina, but originality. All the vintage charm is gone, but it's still an authentic and wearable watch.

The only thing I would add is that the case appears to have been polished for sale, which is unfortunate since the case was apparently new and should have been sharper.
Thanks for the updated post. Yes, it is certainly annoying to polish a year-old case! If I remember correctly, the new case was £780 as part of the service (which would be $1,050).
 
padders
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Snowsquare Snowsquare
Hi @calalum - Thanks for the reply. I was trying to leave the patina/restoration debate to the wider forum as it tends to get very heated! It's an individual preference, and though certainly worth thinking hard before "destroying" an original-patina watch, this one is not in that condition!
Regardless of back story (and I am always suspicious about the stories sellers attached to these), it has been constructed from brand new parts. I wouldn't pay a premium over a well built and all original* Watchco since that is in effect what this is, whether or not the movement started life in an actual SM300 or not (and most of the time it didn't).

A recently serviced Watchco seems to fetch around the £2,500-£3K mark at present so that is where I would be. Personally though, I'd save a few quid and buy a nice condition 2254.50 but that is me.

What is the asking price?


* I mean all original in that the parts are genuine Omega supplied, not Far East copies which is a risk with these, of course from one POV it is not remotely original.
Edited:
 
Snowsquare
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padders padders
Regardless of back story (and I am always suspicious about the stories attached to these), it has been constructed from brand new parts. I wouldn't pay a premium over a well built and all original Watchco since that is in effect what this is, whether or not the movement started life in an actual SM300. I would price this the same as a recently served Watchco. Those seem to fetch around the £2500 mark.

What is the asking price?
Hi @padders - I think that's right, it's going to be effectively the same as a Watchco - whether or not it started life as an actual SM300 is pretty academic. So £4,000 sounds a little high, I've seen a few Watchcos recently around the £3,000-£3,500 level, but maybe they ended up selling for less. Thank you. I appreciate all the comments - I was trying to check that this wasn't an all out fake, rather than the presence of Omega-replacement parts, which has been fully disclosed from the seller. And I really hope not to have offended any patina lovers.
 
padders
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Snowsquare Snowsquare
Hi @padders - I think that's right, it's going to be effectively the same as a Watchco - whether or not it started life as an actual SM300 is pretty academic. So £4,000 sounds a little high, I've seen a few Watchcos recently around the £3,000-£3,500 level, but maybe they ended up selling for less. Thank you. I appreciate all the comments - I was trying to check that this wasn't an all out fake, rather than the presence of Omega-replacement parts, which has been fully disclosed from the seller. And I really hope not to have offended any patina lovers.
Yes I may have been a bit pessimistic initially. I tweaked my range to £2,500-£3,000 while you were replying but £4K does sound toppy. With the service provenance this was a better one than some but keep looking, there are plenty out there.

You are right to be wary of fakes. Some of the fake parts found on these are very hard to spot. I wouldn't buy one of these loose, I'd want to see service docs or parts invoices from the build at the minimum.
 
Snowsquare
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padders padders
Yes I may have been a bit pessimistic initially. I tweaked my range to £2,500-£3,000 while you were replying but £4K does sound toppy. With the service provenance this was a better one than some but keep looking, there are plenty out there.

You are right to be wary of fakes. Some of the fake parts found on these are very hard to spot. I wouldn't buy one of these loose, I'd want to see service docs or parts invoices at the minimum.
Thank you, I appreciate your time and advice. I have been on various watch forums for a long time, and seen plenty of posters asking for "opinions" then disappearing into the ether!

And yes - a 2254.50 is certainly a future classic, if not already one!
 
SOG53
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As a new member you may not yet be familiar with the robust search capacity of OF.

If you go to Advanced Search, use key words Seamaster 300 Watchco , search threads, choose Private Watch Sales (sales by members) and Watches for Sale ( OF approved dealers), choose FS and Sold categories, then search- you will find listings FS and sold here. I was looking at nice example from good OF member last year sold for $5200 not recently serviced.

Here is the link to my search you now know how to do it in future.

https://omegaforums.net/search/2966...c[prefixes][0]=1&c[prefixes][1]=3&o=relevance

Btw I would add to the checklist photo of movement.

No need to apologize a lot of people like these Watchco versions especially serviced with relatively carefree wear, as long as you know what you’re buying.

Good luck and share the outcome!
 
Snowsquare
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SOG53 SOG53
As a new member you may not yet be familiar with the robust search capacity of OF.

If you go to Advanced Search, use key words Seamaster 300 Watchco , search threads, choose Private Watch Sales (sales by members) and Watches for Sale ( OF approved dealers), choose FS and Sold categories, then search- you will find listings FS and sold here. I was looking at nice example from good OF member last year sold for $5200 not recently serviced.

Here is the link to my search you now know how to do it in future.

https://omegaforums.net/search/296602/?q=Seamaster+300+Watchco&t=post&c[child_nodes]=1&c[nodes][0]=11&c[nodes][1]=40&c[prefixes][0]=1&c[prefixes][1]=3&o=relevance

Btw I would add to the checklist photo of movement.

No need to apologize a lot of people like these Watchco versions especially serviced with relatively carefree wear, as long as you know what you’re buying.

Good luck and share the outcome!
Dear @SOG53, thanks for the positive vibes - and thanks for the search tip. If I'm not mistaken, the search function used to be terrible for finding Omega reference numbers, but it seems a lot better now, will have a look through a few of the recent sales.
 
SOG53
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Snowsquare Snowsquare
Dear @SOG53, thanks for the positive vibes - and thanks for the search tip. If I'm not mistaken, the search function used to be terrible for finding Omega reference numbers, but it seems a lot better now, will have a look through a few of the recent sales.
yes our dear leaders @Trev and @dsio have upgraded Search function I find it excellent
 
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