Hi All,

Apologies for all of the questions today, but would appreciate some help on another potential purchase. Interested in this Seamaster chronograph. The seller says all original and unmodified dial. Asking just over $5k. The type in the tach area seems lighter than the main dial area, but the serifs look correct. Let me know your thoughts on this piece and if you have any experience with servicing this movement as I’ve heard Omega has restricted parts and I’d expect to pay $1-2k for a service. Thanks!

 

From those images I’d say you’d be hard pressed to find a nicer one.

Movement appears correct, pushers are original, case has wear but looks decent enough and the dial looks great.

The only caveat I’d have is that the pics look professional and adjusted to show the watch in the most favourable light. The dial may not appear quite so perfect in real life, but I would expect it to still be very nice.

 

Thank you. So not repainted?

 

Also, does that price seem fair?

 

Not in my opinion. If it’s repainted I’d sure like to know who did it!

In my language that’s about £3800 which is on the high side for a 321 Seamaster but you’d need a lot of luck to get one under £2500 so while not a bargain I don’t think the price is unreasonable.

 

Thanks David. Any experience with getting these serviced?

 

I would ask for photos in natural light before making a final decision.

 

For comparison if it helps:

 

Thanks. The dial on my example looks white. Did these come in white dials or is it washed out due to the photography and really silver like yours? If you look closely, you can see some white spots on the dial too. The seller is local so I’m going to try to see it first to confirm these points and also gauge the size on my wrist.

 

Never mind, in this side photo the dial looks silver.

 

This ^^
IMO it’s an attempt to hide some dial freckles which you can just about make out.

 

May not matter in real life as I won’t often be looking at the dial that closely.

 

As noted, the washed out photos are probably hiding some minor blemishes, but also the lovely brushed two-tone dial finish.

 

A few speckles/freckles ain't bad. Goes with the territory. If you only buy watches without a mark you won't have many watches or money. As long as they are unobtrusive, like not one large blob or too many, it can add to the beauty, and actually make a finer dial even better by reminding us that it's old.

At 5k it's not a steal but to me seems more than fair. I suspect it'll seem cheap in 2 to 3 years. They are stunning watches.

I can't answer your service question. I had mine serviced but the guy didn't like working on it. Parts are available but getting scarce. You probably know this because you asked. It can be serviced, but there is likely a point in the future (hopefully not soon) where they may sit on shelves because of no parts or craftsman. Not yet though.

Let us know if you get it.

 

Price seems high, particularly if no bracelet and/or any dial wabi. What the price may or may not be down the road should not alter trying to pay a rational price today, unless the watch is one of a kind. JMHO.

 

Will do. The seller is not responding, so I don’t know how to interpret that as it may be due to the holidays, COVID, who knows. Part of me just wants to go for it, but the return policy is not clear yet.
I like that it’s manual wind so if it can’t be serviced, I can still wear it and not worry about it running and getting damaged.

 

Personally, I don't think it's enough of a bargain to buy it based on those photos. I doubt someone will steal it out from under you. Be patient and wait for better photos or an in-person viewing. When a seller posts photos like that, he should expect some follow-up questions.

 

The seller got back to me via email and is not willing to meet in person, which I can understand. I can ask for better photos but he did confirm he has a no questions asked 3 day return policy and that the watch has been serviced and is warrantied for 1 year.

 

Good sales tactic, get the watch into your hands and the money into his hands.

 

The 105.005 is a fairly common reference, if I may dare say the most common one; but the example you're considering is an acceptably nice one. Price is a $1-1.5K above what I would pay, and it all depends on your negotiation skills - but if it isn't a private seller, you might be starting with a handicap.