Thoughts on this 1962 OMEGA AUTOMATIC Cal 552

Giovanni2023 · Sep 20, 2023

This was my first vintage Omega buy from eBay recently (but before discovering this forum and having enough education to make the purchase!) But I do love the watch a lot. It's my choice when I go out. But I wonder if maybe I should not be wearing it so much? I already gave it one tiny scratch on the crystal from not being careful when out and about. I want to keep this watch forever...but keep it safe, and protect its value. It looks very classy and sleek on the wrist, and the colors are really nice.

I'm curious if I made a good purchase for the value/price, given its condition.
It does keep time pretty well (only off a minute fast in 24 hours).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/385943769403
1962 OMEGA AUTOMATIC Cal 552
Reference Number: 19011218

efauser · Sep 20, 2023

Now that you have a little knowledge, what issues can you point out?

bardamu · Sep 20, 2023

Gold plated case in poor condition and dial repainted, could you maybe return it or it's too late?

Giovanni2023 · Sep 20, 2023

Now that you have a little knowledge, what issues can you point out?

Good question. I don't know enough to make any determinations myself, at least not with confidence; the knowledge I have is that I know I need to ask here before I buy. The watch world is a true jungle.

I do suspect is a redial because it's too clean for its age. I'm confused if it's a Seamaster? It doesn't say. The ref. # matches the date, 62. The "Swiss Made" is very hard to see, tucked below. This is part of the reason its been a daily wearer, but I figure I'd ask the experts.

Maganator · Sep 20, 2023

It isn't that the dial is clean, it is that the quality of the font is very poor and it is a very obvious redial. I am not an expert on this reference but the crown looks to be a replacement.

You will pick up more as your journey continues and soon enough you will be able to spot this sort of thing a mile off.

One further thought, it is not clear to me that the movement picture is actually of the watch itself - the way the lugs sits looks different in the movement picture versus the picture of the back of the watch. Seeing the original listing there is more than one watch pictured, which is odd.

Giovanni2023 · Sep 20, 2023

Maganator
It isn't that the dial is clean, it is that the quality of the font is very poor and it is a very obvious redial. I am not an expert on this reference but the crown looks to be a replacement.

You will pick up more as your journey continues and soon enough you will be able to spot this sort of thing a mile off.

One further thought, it is not clear to me that the movement picture is actually of the watch itself - the way the lugs sits looks different in the movement picture versus the picture of the back of the watch. Seeing the original listing there is more than one watch pictured, which is odd.

Yes, I see it better now. The A in Automatic is too pointy at the top compared to my other Omega. This is assuming that Omega always uses the same font. This hobby will sharpen my eye for fonts, for sure!

Giovanni2023 · Sep 20, 2023

Maganator
It isn't that the dial is clean, it is that the quality of the font is very poor and it is a very obvious redial. I am not an expert on this reference but the crown looks to be a replacement.

You will pick up more as your journey continues and soon enough you will be able to spot this sort of thing a mile off.

One further thought, it is not clear to me that the movement picture is actually of the watch itself - the way the lugs sits looks different in the movement picture versus the picture of the back of the watch. Seeing the original listing there is more than one watch pictured, which is odd.

Supposedly that pic of the inside is for this watch (the other pics are for an older one that he said to ignore). I want to open it up to take a look myself, to see and compare. I don't have any watch tools yet.

Bruce235 · Sep 20, 2023

Couple things
You can wear it worry free because the value is not high and will not appreciate much. Replacing the crystal down the road will not hurt it.
One minute fast per day is not great. You should see less than 20s/day after a service. This may be fixed with a simple regulator adjustment if the watch was serviced as the ad stated.

Dan S · Sep 20, 2023

I am shocked that the auction went to almost $700 on that watch. It is not a desirable model to begin with and it's in poor condition with severe brassing. Also, it was falsely advertised as a linen dial. I would have put the resale value at about $200, TBH.

stormysky10 · Sep 20, 2023

This seller probably should have relisted the item instead of adding the comment about the incorrect pictures in the listing.

On 15-Aug-23 at 09:38:24 BST, seller added the following information:

PLEASE TAKE NOTE: PICTURES 4 & 5 ARE NOT OF THIS WATCH LISTED. THE PICTURES WERE UPLOADED BY MISTAKE. I CAN NOT DELETE THEM AS IT IS NOT ALLOWED ONCE BIDS HAVE BEEN PLACE. SORRY FOR ANY CONFUSION.

I was super confused when I saw this picture in the ad:

Thoughts on this 1962 OMEGA AUTOMATIC Cal 552

Giovanni2023

efauser

bardamu

Giovanni2023

Maganator

Giovanni2023

Giovanni2023

Bruce235

Dan S

stormysky10

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