Seamaster with Scratched Out Movement Serial

Realize this is four years later! But, I just encountered a similar situation. OP, curious how you decided to proceed.

Thanks for the reply! Figured it was a long shot!

I remember hearing years ago that some Costcos would sell Omegas with serial numbers scratched out.

I don't know the exact reason some 1120 movements are out there with the serial number removed. But I own one. I bought it knowing of the condition and the watch was priced accordingly. This was for a Bond Seamaster Professional 300m from the mid to late 90's.

My Omega qualified independent watchmaker has inspected the movement and said it's legitimate. It had been serviced by an independent watchmaker just before I received the watch two years ago and it's an excellent runner.

For reference, it was priced about $800 to $1000 less than what was at the time fair market value for an SMP in similar condition without the serial number issue.

The only way is to have the paperwork that came with it, like proof of purchase or a serial number that matches the watch, send it to omega and they’ll add in the serial number.

This happens with grey market dealers frequently, most of them want you to service the watch through them, others don’t have the luxury of having an Omega repair center nearby and rather than fix stuff they just swap out parts between watches. I’m stuck with one, but my stepmom threw away the box.

I have a history with Omega about that watch, managed to get it serviced only one time officially, but that was it.

I bought a 2598.20 from Ebay (UK). A few years later, decided I had to sell it and sent it to a popular online watch retailer. They confirmed a price which was DOUBLE what I paid for it.

I waited eagerly for the confirmation that the watch was good and the money was due to be sent. No such luck.

Phone call 2 weeks later. The serial was scraped off and was told I was fortunate since if there was a heads up by police for any stolen watches (as weak as that explanation was), then the watch would be seized.

The call was polite, but she gave the impression she was not obliged to not send it back and she was seemingly in two minds. I ended up giving out more information that I was comfortable with, in an effort to try and prove innocence, which I fortunately achieved.

They sent it back at cost to me.

A cautionary tale for those who are going to put their watch with no serial in the hands of someone else.