Hello All
Just had my Dad's 1960's Sea Master Chrono fully restored to new condition by Omega in Switzerland.
Anyone got any idea of it's rough appraisal/value?
(Omega won't do it for me surprisingly??..despite paying them €1500 to restore it!)
Any suggestions for updating the look? - I was thinking of changing the bracelet to a leather strap (colour.. maybe orange to match the second hand or a more subtle brown to keep it vintage. (Are there any similar examples here?)

 

Any before pics?

 

Suspect this is a 145.016 (or close relative). Search Ebay/Chrono24 for replacement/insurance values. However, if significant parts of the watch have been replaced during refurbishment, this may affect collector value.

 

For value maybe 1500-2000 euros. JMHO.

 

Nice watch and welcome. 145.016 is a reference with a lot of dial variants. Being a cal. 861 (and not 321) and a Seamaster (and not a Speedmaster), the market for these is not super hot. I think the Soccer Timer dial versions are the most collectible of this reference. The good examples of these tend to sell in the $1,700 - $2,300 range from what I've seen.

I suspect Omega installed a new dial, correct? That puts yours at or below the bottom of that range. However, if they returned the original dial and it still looks good there might be some added value.

I think yours would look good on a simple black leather strap. Enjoy it!

 

Thanks Andy
I've checked and Omega here say it is cal. 321 and all parts serviced & returned as original.
(Been stowed in the old man's sock drawer for 40+ years, so I sent it off to be serviced and was told that it needed to be done by the watchmaker in Switz as none of the modern Omega store repair men could handle 'vintage' repairs. )

 

wrt before pics: it looked the same, just needed a service, spit & polish..

 

Ahh, apologies, then it should be 145.006. I wasn't aware of this dial on the -006. The value then would be a few hundred $$$ higher for a 321.

 

Here is my Seamaster caliber 321, 145.006-66. Differs from the OP example in that it has original TT dial, different pushers and crown. Leather strap as compared with the 1116 bracelet (probably original) on the OP.

 

Hi & thanks

This is what Omega sent me when I asked for the details on my watch:
OMEGA Seamaster Chrono Cal. 321,
Ref: ST145001668,
No. 27719774

Apart from your black dial (and strap), they look identical (to me)

 

Interesting because that reference watch (145016-68) and movement number normally indicates an 861 movement. Great if you could pop the hood to get a look at the engine.

 

Thanks
it's still at Omega, waiting for me to collect it (and pay for the service) - which is why I asked them for a valuation..

 

I will re-request the details again and ask them to make sure on the ref. and cal.

 

Hi All
So Omega has confirmed the ref. and the cal. are correct:
Réf : ST145001668
Cal. 321
Any opinions welcome..
Thank you

 

Well, it's hard to say. The conventional wisdom, supported even by Omega's Vintage Database, is that 145.006 is a 321 reference and that 145.0016 is the cal. 861 version of otherwise very similar/nearly identical watches. On the other hand, Omega says yours is a 321 in 145.0016. The conventional wisdom, Omega, and their database, have all been known to be wrong from time to time, so drawing conclusions from your case is difficult.

But what matters is you have a very nice, freshly serviced, cal. 321-powered vintage Omega that was your dad's. Wear it and enjoy it

 

Thanks Andy
I agree, perhaps it is 861as I found this pic & info on the vintage database today:

 

That's a very nice watch with a good and sought after movement. Now it's been serviced you can wear and enjoy for a good few years.
Though I don't believe it will ever catch up with 321 speedies the fact that there are only so many genuine 321 speedmasters out there and that the equivalent seamaster is so much cheaper will, I think, mean that seamasters will also start to climb in value.
If you are only interested in value then I suggest you hang on to it for a few years and wait for it to rise. Personally I'd wear it and enjoy.

 

Beautiful watch, very nice to have a nice watch like this that belonged to your father. I would say; wear it and enjoy it!

 

Thanks All
No plan to sell - but would like to give the old man an idea of it's value..
(will post a pic of new strap soon)
JG

 

Hello All
Received my Dad's fully restored 60's Seamaster back in my hands today..
Looks absolutely stunning!
I went for the classic leather strap & buckle (which they included gratis) in medium/dark brown as I think it offers more than flat black and also suits the richness of the dial and it's bright orange 'swoop' hand...
Thanks for your assistance and comments.
John
ps - seeing Dad in a few days, so looking forward to wearing it while casually discussing a recent (fake) flare up of an old wrist injury...