Thoughts on gambling with this Seamaster

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 18, 2021

I found this Seamaster on an auction site. It is missing a crown, but I think it runs.

Any red flags? It is not too hard to get parts for cal. 501 correct? I plan to stop bidding at a point when I no longer have an ample cushion for repairs.

Edited: Jan 18, 2021

 

Posts

2,298

Likes

3,157

Passover

·Jan 18, 2021

Corrosion could be an issue here, its under the gasket and the bezel...

How can the movement look so clean?

Not a rare watch so I wouldn't bid too much or leave it...

 

Posts

9,588

Likes

27,706

ConElPueblo

·Jan 18, 2021

That looks like a very nice watch.

 

Posts

1,615

Likes

3,862

S.H.

·Jan 18, 2021

Nice reference, nice project except for the brownish edge of the dial. This would bother me. If it doesn't bother you, you may end up with a cool omega at a reasonable price, provided you know a good watchmaker. Beware of parts and servicing costs, they are hard to determine by just looking at pictures.

 

Posts

4,517

Likes

11,119

redpcar

·Jan 18, 2021

Looks like some good bones there.
Do you have small wrists or maybe some links for that beads of rice?

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 18, 2021

redpcar

Looks like some good bones there.
Do you have small wrists or maybe some links for that beads of rice?

I do have quite skinny wrists. I typically use the first hole on straps, sometimes the second.

 

Posts

365

Likes

455

Maskelyne

·Jan 18, 2021

Looks quite nice with a fine case. Happy bidding😀 And please do tell us how it ends.

 

Posts

2,681

Likes

3,161

kaplan

·Jan 18, 2021

Lately working ones fetch quite high amounts consistently - my guess for this watch would be $400?

 

Posts

24,836

Likes

55,255

Dan S

·Jan 18, 2021

That's worth a shot IMO. It will probably clean up well, and the bracelet is a nice bonus.

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 18, 2021

kaplan

Lately working ones fetch quite high amounts consistently - my guess for this watch would be $400?

It's an auction, we'll see how high it goes. I have my own stopping point.

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 23, 2021

Thanks everyone for the advice. Just a quick update. I'll give more updates when it arrives and then when my watchmaker gets to it. Will he be able to get a replacement crown from Omega or do I need to hunt one? (He has a parts account).

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 23, 2021

kaplan

Lately working ones fetch quite high amounts consistently - my guess for this watch would be $400?

Your guess was not to far off. I paid more than that, but not much.

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 23, 2021

S.H.

Nice reference, nice project except for the brownish edge of the dial. This would bother me. If it doesn't bother you, you may end up with a cool omega at a reasonable price, provided you know a good watchmaker. Beware of parts and servicing costs, they are hard to determine by just looking at pictures.

Do you figure it is a 14710 ref? There was not a photo of the inside caseback. Thanks!

 

Posts

134

Likes

893

Mr Vo

·Jan 23, 2021

Currently the watches at auction in Japan are no longer as bargain as before IMO😁

 

Posts

1,615

Likes

3,862

S.H.

·Jan 23, 2021

wagudc

Do you figure it is a 14710 ref? There was not a photo of the inside caseback. Thanks!

I would have said 2975 from the front but is has a small seamonster and screwed back. So 14710, why not.

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 23, 2021

Mr Vo

Currently the watches at auction in Japan are no longer as bargain as before IMO😁

Perhaps, but I don't think many bargains exist on the web these days. Too many fisherman, not enough fish. I found the Japanese auctions to be better than eBay and chrono.

 

Posts

428

Likes

1,358

Tako Yaki

·Jan 24, 2021

Since mid/end of Nov. prices were rising at Yahoo Japan auctions and are still flying high! Normally it goes down in mid/end of Jan. when salarymen did spend their end of year bonus!
Maybe due to Corona it whiles this year longer...?!

Best of luck for hunting!

 

Posts

327

Likes

441

Benbradstock

·Jan 24, 2021

I agree looks like a nice example especially considering the bracelet, but the combination of missing crown (which opens up the possibility of moisture ingress) combined with the brown edges of the dial (which could be evidence of same) could be a bit concerning. Hopefully I’m just being paranoid. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

Posts

134

Likes

893

Mr Vo

·Jan 24, 2021

Ends nearly 500usd (converted) + shipping costs + incurred costs + crown + cost of finishing and repairing well => well done ~ 950 USD. The price is not cheap I will definitely give up IMO 😀

 

Posts

4,857

Likes

12,285

wagudc

·Jan 24, 2021

Benbradstock

I agree looks like a nice example especially considering the bracelet, but the combination of missing crown (which opens up the possibility of moisture ingress) combined with the brown edges of the dial (which could be evidence of same) could be a bit concerning. Hopefully I’m just being paranoid. Good luck and keep us posted.

The movement looks good, and it is said to run and keep time without significant error. I am a bit nervous, but we'll see.