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Slow death of the Centenary...and its brethren?

M'Bob
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Saw this watch on a popular dealer site for $3,200, and it got me thinking: what a kick-ass deal, in a general way.

image.jpeg

How can you get a high-quality watch, with a great pedigree, for such relatively short money? Then I went on eBay, and saw one, in fairly good, original shape for $1,083.00. What the hell - a Centenary for that kind of money? I would buy a fleet of them...

But I think the reality is, the best examples of these, and their related counterparts, have really not risen in value or interest over the past few years. The sport watches, plain and simple, are dominating everyone's radar. Do you see a return of these "dress" examples, or has the death knell been rung?
 
Tiny Iota
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I would guess such a big chunk of gold isn't to everyone's contemporary taste
 
M'Bob
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Tiny Iota Tiny Iota
I would guess such a big chunk of gold isn't to everyone's contemporary taste

I get your point, but at 35mm and relatively slim and unobtrusive on the wrist/under the sleeve, it hardly shouts "I just got my bonus from my hedge fund deal/just made a killing on my new rap album."
 
davten
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Aesthetics have a big pull for people getting into watches. I believe if it's pretty then it'll hit people's radars. I'd love to own one of these.
 
Tiny Iota
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Yeah, if your question was about sports vs dress in general, I'd bet most people on here either own or covet a vintage pie pan Connie.
 
Pahawi
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M'Bob M'Bob
Then I went on eBay, and saw one, in fairly good, original shape for $1,083.00

Any link?

Thanks.
 
Rumar89
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M'Bob M'Bob
Saw this watch on a popular dealer site for $3,200, and it got me thinking: what a kick-ass deal, in a general way.

image.jpeg

How can you get a high-quality watch, with a great pedigree, for such relatively short money? Then I went on eBay, and saw one, in fairly good, original shape for $1,083.00. What the hell - a Centenary for that kind of money? I would buy a fleet of them...

But I think the reality is, the best examples of these, and their related counterparts, have really not risen in value or interest over the past few years. The sport watches, plain and simple, are dominating everyone's radar. Do you see a return of these "dress" examples, or has the death knell been rung?

I'm 28 and Longines dress watches, particularly in gold, are the primary focus of my collection. In some respects, that is a function of not being able to afford the astronomical prices that are being asked for vintage tool watches. But, I also work in an office. These vintage pieces are perfect everyday wearers in that environment and they have a certain charm/uniqueness that I find very appealing.

I actually said on a different thread yesterday, I think these vintage dress watches in gold may be the best value (outside of Seiko?) in the vintage market. Outside of just sheer rarity, hard for me to justify the multi-thousand dollar gap between my 18k Flagship 30L or 14k Flagship 285 and vintage tool watches.
 
BenBagbag
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I've been meaning to ask and don't want to start a new thread but how much gold are on/in the various types of pure gold Omega's you can get. If gold is at USD$1244/oz these days. Like how much would the centenary be worth melted down? Is it insignificant?
 
Tony C.
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BenBagbag BenBagbag
I've been meaning to ask and don't want to start a new thread but how much gold are on/in the various types of pure gold Omega's you can get. If gold is at USD$1244/oz these days. Like how much would the centenary be worth melted down? Is it insignificant?

No, it is not insignificant, which is why, sadly, you will see dials and movements being sold alone on occasion.
 
BenBagbag
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Tony C. Tony C.
No, it is not insignificant, which is why, sadly, you will see dials and movements being sold alone on occasion.
Movements? How much can possibly be in a movement?
 
Edward53
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Someone got a steal on this one. Only thing wrong is the crown and I think you can get replacements for those.
gatorcpa

You're not kidding. I wish I'd bought it at that price! The seller must have been gutted.
 
cristos71
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BenBagbag BenBagbag
Movements? How much can possibly be in a movement?

No the movement gets sold separately after the case has been melted
 
Pahawi
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
https://www.ebay.com/itm/122453556342

IMG_0203.PNG

Someone got a steal on this one. Only thing wrong is the crown and I think you can get replacements for those.
gatorcpa

Thank you for the link.

Still a steal, but shouldn't the hands look like these, or...?

6.jpeg
 
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M'Bob
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Pahawi Pahawi
Still a steal, but shouldn't the hands look like these, or...?

I think they are still original, but the edge has been polished off.
 
Kja
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People are starting to finally get tired of tool watches, the centenary in particular I think is a great investment.
 
Rman
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M'Bob M'Bob
Do you see a return of these "dress" examples, or has the death knell been rung?

Yes, I believe they will return and I've been collecting quite a bunch of em. But primarily because they wear sooooo well. If I want a tool watch(a watch to subject to harsh and/or exacting use) I won't reach for a 50 year old _________, do you?
As a piece of man jewelry the dress watches are great value right now.
Which begs the question, which ones will be on the "hit list" if tastes migrate to dress watches and 3 handers? The Connies are well poised as are many Omega dress watches from earlier periods.
 
M'Bob
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Kja Kja
People are starting to finally get tired of tool watches.

I would love to agree with you here, but from the price increases on Speedmaster 101 over the past few years, I just don't think this is true.
 
AAAKK
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Kja Kja
People are starting to finally get tired of tool watches

Just curious what info you're basing this statement on.
 
Bill Sohne
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Hi


There are places for both ..... but Sppedy prices did jump and that is the new normal for them.

Gold Omegas are cool and are coming into there own .... but collecting community are not as solidified as for the Speedy ....

Random thoughts..


Good hunting

And it was a great deal for the Cent 30.10 .....


Bill
 
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