Should I Purchase this '78 Quartz Seamaster?

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Should I Buy? Hello Good People from Rhett in Brisbane Australia! Can you help please? I am thinking of purchasing this Omega (Seamaster) 40694771 / 196.0123 / 1345 as it is such a nice clean simple but elegant dress watch. However! I am concerned about parts availability and service ability and potential service cost relative to the watch. The purchase price is around A$1,000. Any thoughts, concerns, advice? Thanks in advance, Rhett
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The strap is most certainly fake so don't include that in your thinking as it will be stamped bovine leather not alligator or croc. If it is Omega signed, the buckle is probably fake too since they are sold together on ebay. Parts are scarce for that movement though it was used in much cheaper Tissot models too so donors are out there. It is a nice enough looking thing I suppose. $1K AUD is an OK price assuming it is fully working, dealers have to eat after all, even the ones that fit fake straps. Be aware that is a push button set movement, they can be a bit of a pain as you can't just twist the crown like on later models.
 
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If that really, really floats your boat then it's worth considering. I have a closely related 1342 movement Seamaster that I've owned from new which doesn't get enough wrist time. Omega Bienne can still sort out any movement problems -- at a cost.

But, A$1k? Hmmmm. I'd need it to be perfect and recently serviced for that. And I'd like to see Seamaster on the dial!
 
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"Should I Buy?"

Honestly comes down to your personal choice, I quite like it but i'm not a fan of quartz movements.

As mentioned the strap is probably a fake (lets say clone 😜) I don't see any reason to believe the movement has been swapped out but the case looks quite polished.

You don't show a pic of the rear case/cover (1) to show it's condition (2) it would have model number for reference.
 
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Thanks for the response. Yes, well spotted, the strap has been "stamped" with the Omega logo, I was aware that was the case. Thanks again, Rhett
 
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MRC MRC
If that really, really floats your boat then it's worth considering. I have a closely related 1342 movement Seamaster that I've owned from new which doesn't get enough wrist time. Omega Bienne can still sort out any movement problems -- at a cost.

But, A$1k? Hmmmm. I'd need it to be perfect and recently serviced for that. And I'd like to see Seamaster on the dial!
 
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I am told that is has been recently serviced and the photos came back today after a visit from the watchmaker - this is on Chrono24. Going to the Omega Vintage Database Search and plugging in the numbers, Omega refers to it as a Seamaster.

Question for anyone, should I opt to spend more and simply avoid the early 1345 quartz movement?
 
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I am told that is has been recently serviced and the photos came back today after a visit from the watchmaker - this is on Chrono24. Going to the Omega Vintage Database Search and plugging in the numbers, Omega refers to it as a Seamaster.

Question for anyone, should I opt to spend more and simply avoid the early 1345 quartz movement?

From what I've learned so far theres almost no difference between a Seamaster, Geneve or Connie at times, other than the label itself. i.e.. they can have same movement, same case, same dial, same hands and so on. Whereas admittedly other Seamasters have notable differences such as the hippo on the rear casing (Which is partly why i asked about the rear case earlier)

Question therefor is this a Seamaster or something more generic in the Omega line? but more importantly do you care? I would if they wanted top $ for it, which seems to be the case.
 
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Update, just pulled out my old(-ish) Seamaster. Battery good, so that's tomorrow's wear after fixing the date. Be advised modern button cells don't last long in these early quartz movements. You're lucky to get 12 months.

So, your recent question. Buy what you can't live without and swallow or hide the cost if necessary. If you want that watch and can afford to keep it in the style it needs then go ahead. I recall written correspondence when I was a teenager with my favourite uncle nearly 60 years ago about the choice of cars and wives. That was his advice, go for what you can't live without and to hell with logical analysis. He got through many cars but remained completely devoted to my aunt to the end of her life.
 
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Images below. My primary interest is in how it presents: black case, stainless steel, black strap. It has that simple elegant Geneve appearance but atain, according to Omega, it is a Seamaster. The concern is, the service aspect. I would be less concerned with an automatic movement like like a 1011 and so on. I am conflicted...


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Guys, my alternative is this at around A$1,600. 1971 168.0056 and Calc. 1011 - Although more expensive of course, is this the more prudent purchase do you think...? I really like them both. Which one would I regret most not buying? That is the question from @MRC above...



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I see no evidence that it's a Seamaster. And I do not recall seeing a caseback like that -- BICBW. I will have to hand you over to the '70s Constellation experts now, but of the watches you've presented the Connie is the one with with most expertise hereabouts.

Just one last question on the Connie. Lumed hands and dial -- where is the "T" for Tritrium?
 
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To answer your original question: No.

Your alternative is getting better, but for au$1600 way overpriced. There are good c-cases around for much less, and I'd aim for the previous generation 168.017 or .027 (date only) with an original bracelet. With patience you should be able to pick up a good one for your price range.

Best advice: stick around here for a bit, learn some more, and watch for the member's sales -- almost always great watches for good (fair) prices and virtually no chance of being ripped off.
 
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MRC MRC
I see no evidence that it's a Seamaster. And I do not recall seeing a caseback like that -- BICBW. I will have to hand you over to the '70s Constellation experts now, but of the watches you've presented the Connie is the one with with most expertise hereabouts.

Just one last question on the Connie. Lumed hands and dial -- where is the "T" for Tritrium?
 
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To answer your original question: No.

Your alternative is getting better, but for au$1600 way overpriced. There are good c-cases around for much less, and I'd aim for the previous generation 168.017 or .027 (date only) with an original bracelet. With patience you should be able to pick up a good one for your price range.

Best advice: stick around here for a bit, learn some more, and watch for the member's sales -- almost always great watches for good (fair) prices and virtually no chance of being ripped off.
+1 for this. Trust me, I understand the urge to jump right in, but a little patience and time spent here learning as much as possible and keeping an eye on the sales section will likely give you much better returns. When I first started buying watches, I had no clue what I was doing and quickly learned the first two or three were more "a waste of money" rather than "starting a collection". I still have them, by the way, as a reminder to slow it down a bit before jumping in head first...less broken necks that way.

Welcome to the Forum!
 
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Thanks @Syzygy for the advice it is appreciated. However, I have recently purchased and am waiting to receive this one: 37688953 / 166.0168 / Calc. 1012 - So, hopefully all goes well with this my first purchase - I had to dive in!

 
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Buy a automatic

$1000 AUD is double the worth of this watch
 
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Buy a automatic

$1000 AUD is double the worth of this watch

@STANDY thanks for the observation. May I ask, where would you suggest is the best site to buy a Vintage Omega? Chrono24 at least seems to offer reasonable security when you buy from a Dealer. My budget is, between $1,000 and $2,000 Australian Pesos. Also, when buying in AU from overseas we must add 15% to the import price for GST and Duties, alas, alas.
 
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Buy from a member here.

@STANDY thanks for the observation. May I ask, where would you suggest is the best site to buy a Vintage Omega? Chrono24 at least seems to offer reasonable security when you buy from a Dealer. My budget is, between $1,000 and $2,000 Australian Pesos. Also, when buying in AU from overseas we must add 15% to the import price for GST and Duties, alas, alas.


https://omegaforums.net/threads/steel-omega-seamaster-de-ville-135-010-reduced-565-euro.142591/