Seamasters and Constellations value, market development and discussion

JwRosenthal

Welcome to the forum and kudos on doing your research before you buy.
Posting pics or a link to the SM in question (I am assuming the one in your avatar) would give us an example to help illustrate your question. Real black dialed Seamaster are rare (silver was more popular at the time) and most on the maket are redials to mimick the “Don Draper” watch which was a fantasy redial and not an original piece.
There is a lot of speculative sellers out there- particularly on Chrono24- I avoid that site like the plague. Be patient and watch the sales forum here and for the love of god- do not jump on one on eBay without getting more experienced eyes on them. A redial does not improve value-sellers would like to think it does- but it destroys the collectibility of a watch.

KingCrouchy

Just a little question, to my understanding there aren't any Seamaster De Ville with a black dial that aren't a redial. So finding one could be tricky.

STANDY

Several things ( with made up figures for explaining )

First the watch that is in your avatar is a cool watch even for a redial but the problem is it’s a $200 redialed watch that someone wants to fleece a newbie of $1500. (If it was a $300 price after the redial it would be OK for a daily wearer but a rip off at anything more)

Dealer and pseudo dealers have grown exponentially and pushed prices up significantly over the last 5 years.

Flippers see a excellent watch for $1500 and think their $700 average condition is worth $1500 now.

And lastly to your point many newbies will come here asking about a watch at a dealer for say $1200 when the going rate is $650 on forums and eBay.
Members will let them know but due to their inexperience they would not know how to find or look for the $650.

The researching is the fun part of the game, and the thing that costs the least $ and saves the most $

STANDY

due to their inexperience they would not know how to find or look for the $650.

Peemacgee

Firstly, welcome.

Black dialled Omegas are a mine-field even for experienced collectors.
Finding an original one in good condition is quite rare.

I don’t think there is such a beast as a dogleg Connie with stick hands, the later round cased Connies and C-cases do appear with them.

Best thing is to narrow down what you are really after and focus on learning as much as you can about that watch reference

IIRC it’s the black dialled cross hair Don Draper watch that doesn’t exist.

Hammond123

Alright, thank you. This is all great advice. This leaves me to the final question: What would you pay for a black dialed original seamaster de ville steel case, and how much would you pay for a original black dialed constellation steel case.

I do wonder now since you mentioned a "Don Draper watch". My focus for the past 2 weeks has been on finding this Seamaster automatic in original condition. Does this watch even exist?

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cristos71

That's not true, here's one I picked up recently

JwRosenthal

Here is a little more reading for you
https://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-de-ville-a-redial.11126/

JwRosenthal

And the pic you posted I beleive is a redial with 99% certainty. Font color is off and second track is heavy handed for line weight....but I would be happy to be proven wrong
Then we get into lumed hands with a non-lume dial

Rochete

Not enough info. Price one would pay depends on several factors besides model, dial color and case material. Condition alone makes for a whole continuum heavily influencing price, then some references are rarer and hence more expensive. State of movement also important, and so on. Each vintage watch is unique and so is its price.

Hammond123

I understand, I just find it incredibly hard to put a price on a watch when all there are all these overpriced listings.
Let's say, automatic movement, serviced, in very good condition, some case scratches nothing serious, original dial with minor damages/coloured spots.

JwRosenthal

I think the listing from several months ago that I posted above was a good example of what an exceptional black SM will go for- about $1.2k...and that was was a known original in spectacular condition. Spotty and imperfect- even with a service, less than $1k. But as mentioned above, some references are worth more than others

Rochete

No one said it's easy. It isn't rocket science but requires time and dedication. Have you checked out the Private Sales Subforum here? Sold watches (not merely listed) are a good aproximation to what 'we' pay. Otherwise if you ask for a specific watch here we'll give our opinion on it. Time costs money too, if you're willing to wait you'd normally get a better priced watch than if you want it now. The average OF dweller is a patient guy, so our 'price I'd pay' is normally lower than what you see out there.