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Serial number removed from movement? (2531.80/1120)

STANDY
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Take the $250 and forget about the serial number.

As mentioned above, just use a watchmaker with a parts account and it’s no issue .

Yes was common many years ago for early grey watches to have serial number removed. Doesn’t happen nowadays.
 
GuiltyGear
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watch_my_six jspdl
That said, I'm tempted to take the $250 (which would price it at $2,200). I know $ is always a personal decision, but what do folks think who own this watch? (Or who are in the market @GuiltyGear)?

I've listed mine here in the forum for €1.650. It's not serviced and the bezel has faded a bit. In C24 the nicer examples from Japan are $2k+.

$2.2k is a great deal for a serviced, nice example. Just remember that the service won't be a selling point if you decide to sell it a few years ahead, and by then you'll have to settle for the lower end of the price range and explain to buyers that the serials have been removed.

As a keeper, if serials don't bother you, it's great though.
 
Archer
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watch_my_six jspdl
Ok, so the dealer has offered to take the watch back or provide a $250 refund, so for now I think I will refrain from mentioning publicly who they are since they are handling the issue adequately in my opinion. But feel free to message me privately if you want to ask.

That said, I'm tempted to take the $250 (which would price it at $2,200). I know $ is always a personal decision, but what do folks think who own this watch? (Or who are in the market @GuiltyGear)?

Omega will not service a watch that has had the serial numbers removed from both the case and the bracelet. At this time, you really have no idea if this is an all original watch, or a complete franken, and the dealer doesn't know either, so on that front they are lying.

There's a well known seller of watches of this era that has sold many modified watches over the years, and many have come across my bench right after servicing by that person's watchmaker (not sure if they sell on Chrono24 or not). Not only have the serial numbers proved that the watches were advertised as something they were not (modified the watches to more marketable models), the service done was generally garbage. Without a serial number you will never know what you really have.

You can always get the service done by someone else (someone like me) if you ever want to sell this, I suspect that you won't get as much as you would if it had serials on it.
 
coffee
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Archer Archer
Omega will not service a watch that has had the serial numbers removed from both the case and the bracelet. At this time, you really have no idea if this is an all original watch, or a complete franken, and the dealer doesn't know either, so on that front they are lying.
Just for this, I'd return it to the seller.
 
PhilF
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I've been a Gunsmith for about 40 years, both full and part time, the shop where I am currently employed deals with vintage, classic and collectable firearms. It is actually a crime to alter, obscure or modify the serial number on a firearm ( lots of inexpensive guns didn't have serial numbers until required in 1968) however, I will not work on or even allow in the shop a firearm with a removed serial. In my experience, value is determined by essentially 3 factors: Condition, Scarcity, and Demand with the factor of verifiable historical province as a additional complex. As far as a timepiece, certainly not illegal but definitely questionable and as @Archer points out, limits you to non-factory services and does effect value. Personally, I'd return it and look for a fairly priced replacement with verifiable provenance. I typically don't look for the lowest price, won't pay the highest price, just look for a fair price. The best deal is a fairly priced item from someone you trust.
Edited:
 
watch_my_six
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Interesting, thanks for the additional perspectives. In my case, I don't think the re-selling risk or inability to have Omega service it bother me so much, because I plan on keeping the watch indefinitely and do have a local Omega-authorized watchmaker. But if there's a chance that this reference becomes collectible in the future, and this issue destroys its future value, then I suppose that might bother me a little in principle...
 
W
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The serial number from the case back was definitely buffed off. Why does the watch has an exhibition case back on? These watches came with full s/s back.
 
W
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W watchesiseek
The serial number from the case back was definitely buffed off. Why does the watch has an exhibition case back on? These watches came with full s/s back.
Meant buffed from the case lug.
 
watch_my_six
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W watchesiseek
The serial number from the case back was definitely buffed off. Why does the watch has an exhibition case back on? These watches came with full s/s back.
I decided to put the Spiralwinder exhibition caseback on it.
 
D
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I have had the same model watch missing serial nunbers. It was disclosed when I purchased and I disclosed when I sold. It's definitely worth less. I would return it. The $250 refund is not enough. For what you indicate you paid I would expect a complete set or close to complete.
 
watch_my_six
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D drster
I have had the same model watch missing serial nunbers. It was disclosed when I purchased and I disclosed when I sold. It's definitely worth less. I would return it. The $250 refund is not enough. For what you indicate you paid I would expect a complete set or close to complete.
Thanks for this. When did you buy/sell yours? And do you mind me asking for how much?

Edit: feel free to DM me if you prefer.
Edited:
 
Speed2Sea
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Just a newbie here who just bought a new 300m Summer Blue, but I think you made the right decision to return the timepiece. At the end of the day, whether it's a timepiece or any other keepsake you want to feel good about your purchase. It's too bad that the seller did not disclose the issues you described. Best of luck to you and I hope you find another Seamaster to purchase.
 
watch_my_six
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Speed2Sea Speed2Sea
Just a newbie here who just bought a new 300m Summer Blue, but I think you made the right decision to return the timepiece. At the end of the day, whether it's a timepiece or any other keepsake you want to feel good about your purchase. It's too bad that the seller did not disclose the issues you described. Best of luck to you and I hope you find another Seamaster to purchase.
I actually just pulled the trigger on a 2551.80 (the 36"variant). But if I didn't decide to switch to the smaller version, I probably would have stayed with the serial-less piece (shrug). But thanks!
 
L
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Bought my serialless SMP around the turn of the century. Internet sales were still newish and I didn't know any better. Didn't know the serial was missing until I had it serviced around 7 years later. By that time the Omega certified service center said it has been the policy for them not to work on these watches, but that it has been recinded and mine was serviced and on its way. They also confirmed it was genuine and that they had seen some hack jobs in the past where metal shavings had been left inside the case. In ~2000, I bought a 2531.80 for $1000. Still love it today.
 
Mute
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Take the $250. I'd be concerned about whether the serial on the lug was intentionally removed (potential grey market) or never existed (a counterfeit).
 
E
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watch_my_six jspdl
For the record, I did end up returning it.
A lot of countries don’t have official Omega repair service centers and rely on what’s available locally.
My dad gave me the same model you have as a gift, so I know he doesn’t buy fakes because he got it with the box and papers but my stepmom threw it out the box at one point.
With that mentioned I wanted to service it at an Omega boutique and I was shocked when they told me the serial number was machined off the watch completely. I asked my dad about it and the only thing he told was that he serviced it locally, I finally got ahold of them and was told that since they don’t have official parts from Omega, they get them from other omega’s. So it’s a real omega movement but the swatch group wouldn’t touch it, the service guy ran the tests locally and verified it was real for me. I had to restore and it and fix it after market, the only thing that the boutique helped me out with was getting the actual parts ordered, they just couldn’t “service it”.

However I did contact the Swatch group about this and they told me that if I had the “original” papers or receipt, that came with the box they can re engrave it, but like I mentioned, it was thrown away. Now I’m stuck with it, forever, forever Gray. This happened in Central America but like others mentioned gray dealers do it also for exclusivity so only they can service it.

I’m glad you returned though!
 
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