Hi all,

I’m contemplating to buy a Seamaster PO 600 42mm Red Gold / Leather Strap, older 2500 Cal (NOT CERAGOLD). New/unworn, box/papers, 5 yr warranty

I tried the newer Calibre 45mm version and though not usually one for gold, it admittedly looked good. But getting a little itchy feet with such an expensive watch.

How do you feel it looks? Is this generally a popular / desirable watch?

Is it a good deal at 8k USD? What is expected price?

Any quick advice would be much appreciated, I have until pretty much today to make a decision! Thanks!

 

I’m no expert, but I am pretty sure at 8k that would be a great deal for that watch. Sure it is legit?

 

Thanks. yes - definitely legit. The new model (Ceragold, 8500 cal) is 20-25k usd, but this one is an older model.

What would you have expected it to go for?

 

Sorry, I was looking only at your pics that you posted. I honestly have no idea. Maybe do a quick eBay search.

 

If real a 42mm 2500 in gold is a good deal I think.

The first generation at 42mm are the thinnest and best PO’s in my opinion

 

Which one is it though? The one on your wrist above is the mid-gen PO (applied numerals, fatter hands, 8500 movement), whereas the stock image you've included at the end of your post is the first-gen 2500. Personally, I'd prefer the older one, as others have mentioned it's a great deal thinner, though the movement is considerably less sophisticated.

 

It’s the first gen 2500. Picked it up today, 8k usd, perfectly new / boxed, with the now standard 5 year international warranty from Omega

Was still a hard decision between this and the newer model Aqua Terra on the left wrist for half that price!



How do you think I did??!

 

Smart purchase and most importantly, it looks fantastic. Congratulations on the new PO!

 

I think you did well. Now get it serviced lol. It’s over 5 years old. Great piece I’m jealous.

 

Great buy! It looks great as well. Let us know how it’s keeping time. Since you have the 5-year warranty, I don’t see the harm in wearing it if the timekeeping is good. You should be able to tell if it needs serviced by the watch’s performance. If you decide to get it serviced, I recommend requesting the service center NOT polish the watch. Polish is standard in a full service, but since this watch is new, there’s no point. Also, no sense in losing any gold.

 

Right place at the right time, looks fantastic and congratulations

 

I think these PO divers and the 300 Pros in gold are completely over the top and and fairly ridiculous.

Would love to own one

 

Oil dries out even if unused. The watch can still keep good time and be wearing the internal parts. Hence the mfg suggestion of service regardless of use but by time interval.

 

The oil may be dry; it may not. I don’t dispute the general idea of regularly servicing a watch, but any wear to the internal parts is going to be covered by warranty for the next five years. Moreover, I can’t imagine significant wear would 1) Accrue to the movement without causing a noticeable change in the rate; and 2) not occur within the 5-yr warranty period. However, It’s worth asking the boutique to time the watch in 5 positions and check the amplitude. The boutique in San Diego had the machine to do that, and would happily check the movement for you. If the rate and or amplitude are out of spec, I’d ask it to be serviced. You might get them to have it serviced anyway, since it’s an out of production watch that’s essentially NOS.

 

They will say to service it. That watch is at least 7 years old at this point.

Over and over we have seen watches with extreme internal wear keeping good time.

 

I see this pretty regularly, so I don't have to imagine it. One thing to keep in mind is that there are parts of the movement in this watch that are not directly related to timekeeping, that can have wear in them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against running a watch into the ground and sending it to the service center, so if that's how you choose to use your watches that's great. What I do try to dispel is the myth that "as long as it keeps good time, nothing bad is happening" which is most certainly not the case.

Cheers, Al

 

Can’t question your expertise, and I’ve read your previous posts, which contained detailed pics of wear and dried lubrication in various movements.

When I looked at the photos in this particular post, it appeared as if the watch in question was purchased at an Omega Botique. Sending a 5-7 year old watch in for service is definitely far from a bad idea. However, my point is why not try to get the botique to do if for free as opposed to paying (in the US at least) $550? Sure, a watch with dried lubricants can run within specs, in which case I’m sure the botique would expect payment for a full service. However, it could also perform well outside of spec, in which case I would think the service should be covered by warranty. Even though $8K for a NOS 18k Planet Ocean is one heck of a deal, $550 saved is a win. I doubt the botique would volunteer to service it for free, but if their timer shows a newly purchased watch performing outside of specs, I think there’s at least a decent point to argue they should cover the cost.

 

You will note in my previous reply I only quoted the portion of your post relevant to the specific claim that if it keeps good time, then everything must be good inside.

I'm not advocating for the OP to service this watch or not - it's up to him.

 

Hi, glad I made he right choice . Thanks for the advice. I knew the watch is certainly more than 5 years old, but hadn’t really considered it would need a service (especially as I bought via a friend at Omega).

I’ll go to the main boutique to check out any need for servicing - I would hope not to be expected to pay for it! (if needed)

 

If needed is the question. The warranty on a watch only covers some sort of defect, so if the watch is running out of tolerances for timing, or not enough reserve time, or some other issue it will be covered. But you won't be able to just walk in before the warranty is up and say "service this for free please."

Cheers, Al