Should I buy this watch?

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Green_P0ison

·Jan 28, 2021

Hello OF community!

I was searching for a vintage omega watch for a reasonable price (I don’t have a big budget because I’m a student..) and I came across this watch which is for sale on a local website. I really like the watch despite its condition and I think it could be a nice watch to wear if I add a nice strap to it.

Here is the information I was able to collect :

• Caseback reference : 131.003 -> I couldn’t find the reference on the omega vintage database but compared to other models sharing the same reference on google case seems correct, and not polished even if it has some spots where the gold plating is missing (a shame but I could live with it).
• Movement : Cal 601 : 21’000’000 -> wich dates to 1964 and is right comparing to other models that I found. It has some small spots of humidity but I think it’s not a big issue.
• Dial : has some ‘heavy’ patina and “bubbling” but I doesn’t really bother me.
• Crown : I don’t know if the crown is correct for this model but I can see some spacing between the case and the crown, probably will need to get fixed.
• Service status : unknown but will definitely go to service ASAP if I decide to buy it.
• Price is 240 euros (maybe I can negotiate a bit more but not sure)

Here are the pictures :

Being far from being an expert I preferred to ask here before buying to not make a mistake that I would regret. Do you think I missed something? And do you think the price is correct and reflects the state of the watch?


Thanks in advance for your precious opinions!


W

 

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bardamu

·Jan 28, 2021

Hi, ask before buying is a very good attitude, quite unusual actually.
As for the watch, gold plated specimens are not highly desirable and collectible but anyway this one looks quite nice to me and the price fair, i can see just a couple of lacks of plating here and there and not particularly large.
Cal 601 is a workhorse from the golden era, nice to have. Crown could be a later replacement.
If you buy it, first thing to do, even before service, is changing that tropic bracelet! 😀

 

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Green_P0ison

·Jan 28, 2021

bardamu

Hi, ask before buying is a very good attitude, quite unusual actually.
As for the watch, gold plated specimens are not highly desirable and collectible but anyway this one looks quite nice to me and the price fair, i can see just a couple of lacks of plating here and there and not particularly large.
Cal 601 is a workhorse from the golden era, nice to have.
If you buy it, first thing to do, even before service, is changing that tropic bracelet! 😀

Thanks for your kind reply! Yes I also think that the bracelet is absolutely awful, a beautiful bracelet would change everything for sure 👍

 

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Passover

·Jan 28, 2021

Seems like the case have major damages:

 

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Green_P0ison

·Jan 28, 2021

Passover

Seems like the case have major damages:

Yes, i already noticed this damage, but I was thinking that as it’s beneath the watch it wouldn’t be noticeable when wearing it. Would this be a deal breaker in your opinion?

 

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felsby

·Jan 28, 2021·I don't see any option in settings or profile

Green_P0ison

Yes, i already noticed this damage, but I was thinking that as it’s beneath the watch it wouldn’t be noticeable when wearing it. Would this be a deal breaker in your opinion?

Maybe not a dealbreaker if you can negotiate the price, but there are other watches in that price range. And the damage will make it a tough sell for you, if you consider an upgrade later.

 

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gbesq

·Jan 28, 2021

I would keep looking for a better example. The damage to the case is significant and you may later regret buying a gold plated watch as it is not unusual for the plating to eventually wear through to the base metal.

 

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Spruce

·Jan 28, 2021·Sunburst dial fan

You really ought to consider this exceptional offer on this forum by @SkunkPrince

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-geneve-166-041-gold-plated-bracelet.126196/

 

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SkunkPrince

·Jan 28, 2021

Spruce

You really ought to consider this exceptional offer on this forum by @SkunkPrince

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-geneve-166-041-gold-plated-bracelet.126196/

Too late!

 

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Green_P0ison

·Jan 28, 2021

Look’s like there is also missing some gold plating here :

I think I’ll definitely pass on this one. Anyway, thanks for all your opinions! I really appreciate it! 👍

 

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Green_P0ison

·Jan 29, 2021

After getting your advices I decided to continue my research and I think I came across a pretty good watch.

Here is the information that I found:

• Reference: 162.009 SP -> found it on the omega database and everything looks fine
• Movement: cal 562 ref 23.xxx.xxx dating to 1966 which is correct IMO ; movement looks in good shape
• Case : looks sharp and never polished
• Dial : original and in good shape ; I just have doubts if it is correct to this watch as I never saw a crosshair dial on this reference ;
• Asking price : 375 euros

Pictures :

So do you think i should pull the trigger on this one or do you see something wrong?

Thank’s again for all your help!

 

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nicks

·Jan 29, 2021

That one is a lot nicer looking than the first one. There are some indications that it is due for a service, so factor that in (something you should almost always do).

No doubt others will chime in.

 

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Rudi99

·Jan 29, 2021

Hi @Green_P0ison , I believe that you are getting a lot more watch for not that much more money on this.

No obvious red flags for me and actually it should probably look a lot better if you give the crystal a good scrub and polish the scratches off.

Calibers of the 500 series are super well built and I am sure this watch would serve you well during your studies! I believe it is a fair offer.

Best,

Rudi

 

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onlyomega94

·Jan 29, 2021

A light crystal polish and a cloth to the case and that watch will look great. The dial of course has some spots but for 375 I think it is priced right.

 

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gbesq

·Jan 29, 2021

Much better. A Seamaster Geneve, I think.

 

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Green_P0ison

·Jan 29, 2021

Thanks for reassuring me! What I was the most afraid is that the crosshair dial didn’t match with this reference. So I’ll contact the seller and tell him that I’m buying the watch and I will post pics here when I receive it. 👍

Thanks again for all your comments I am very grateful!

 

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onlyomega94

·Jan 29, 2021

Good to hear. The combination of a steel case and gold indices is a favourite of mine. In fact my first real watch and daily wearer has that combination. It says hi.