Should I buy consider buying this vintage "tropical" watch?

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Bankai09

·Jul 11, 2022

Hello!

I am new in this forum and this vintage watch hunt so any inputs from you guys are gladly appreciated!

I just bumped into this vintage "tropical" Omega Seamaster. Here are some details if it helps:

Year: 1954
Ref: 2491
Movement: automatic
Caliber: 344 (hammer-rotor pendulum)
Dial: tropical, with sub-seconds
Material: 14K Gold-filled
Serial: 14114523
Case size: 34mm
Lugs: 18mm

Photos:

I am not quite sure with the crown if it the original since as per researching most crowns that I found in the internet have clover crowns; however, I find the aging of the patina interesting.

So, as my (hopefully) first vintage watch, should I consider buying this watch or pass on this one. Thank you very much!

 

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Dan S

·Jul 11, 2022

I think that the plating on the upper left lug is very badly damaged.

 

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Bankai09

·Jul 11, 2022

Dan S

I think that the plating on the upper left lug is very badly damaged.

I didn't notice that. Would that be a deal-breaker for you, if ever?

 

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Spruce

·Jul 12, 2022·Sunburst dial fan

Bankai09

I didn't notice that. Would that be a deal-breaker for you, if ever?

Unless the watch has been kept in a drawer for 70 years you must expect some wear and tear on the case and dial.
I have a similar aged watch and when I wear it I give the case a light rub with a jewellers cloth and it looks fine.
As my grandad used to say, “A man on a galloping horse …….” so I could live with it. There are nicks too, just above the strap, but watch photos are pretty unforgiving and highlight defects/wear the naked eye doesn’t see.
The movement looks fine and is reliable and easy to service and the hands and indices are okay too.
So, if you like it and the price is okay, everything else looks fine to me.

 

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ConElPueblo

·Jul 12, 2022

Dan S

I think that the plating on the upper left lug is very badly damaged.

There is loss of plating on all four lugs, it would seem.

That is a bit of a deal-breaker to me - the patina looks good and matches the gold case, but that amount of case wear means it should be very cheap.

 

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tamura

·Jul 12, 2022

Very old ,very poor redial? (minute track)

 

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padders

·Jul 12, 2022·Oooo subtitles!

tamura

Very old ,very poor redial? (minute track)

Unlikely. Just poor QC back in the day IMO. I hate plate damage so it wouldn’t be for me either but it’s an attractive watch otherwise. The photos seem designed to hide the damage which suggests a slightly dodgy seller.

Edited: Jul 12, 2022

 

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Tony C.

·Jul 12, 2022·Ωf Jury member

No, you should not. 😁

And not only for some of the reasons mentioned above, but also because the photos show a circular scratch just outside of the central pinion where the hour and minute hands attached. That was caused by a hand having made contact with the dial, which is never a good thing, and could be caused by a damaged dial foot.

 

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Bankai09

·Jul 12, 2022

Thank you all for your inputs! Another guy just bought this vintage watch a while ago. The patina looks good on that, though.

Maybe this is not meant for me yet. Someday, I'll have a vintage watch and learn from you guys here. 😀

 

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ALEJANDRO BOVONE

·Jul 12, 2022

Bankai09

Thank you all for your inputs! Another guy just bought this vintage watch a while ago. The patina looks good on that, though.

Maybe this is not meant for me yet. Someday, I'll have a vintage watch and learn from you guys here. 😀

keep looking and keep posting. i m affraid you ll learn mostly by buying and somewhat experiencing yourself once you receive your watches. it takes some time and it ll not be a flawless and perfect experience. but super enjoyable if you fancy watches

 

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johnireland

·Jul 13, 2022

1. Have you seen it in person, held it in your hands, wound and set it, strapped it on your wrist?
2. Does the seller offer a return policy?
3. What is the asking price?
4. How long have you been on the hunt?
5. Do you realize that there is always another watch down the road or around the corner?