too good to be true movement?

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Hi all,

Could this really be a movement from the late 50's? It looks like it was manufactured yesterday to me.
Also, the engraving seems to be deeper and wider than in other examples of the 520 I've found online.

thoughts?
 
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Photographs lie. You have different angles, lighting etc.

Based on serial number, this movement looks to be from 1959, plus or minus a couple of years.

You also don’t know how the watch was used or it’s service history. It is quite common for 60+ year old movements to be in perfect condition if well cared for.

Watch cases matter also. 18K gold is the best because it was generally used only for dressy watches on leather straps. Most were not waterproof and people knew it, so they didn’t abuse them.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
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Presented merely as a hypothetical, the answer's almost automatically yes: it could be from the 1920s and be that clean. It would depend on the watch it was pulled from, what it was put through, etc. I don't have it on my but opened a mid-60s Seamaster this past week to a remarkably similar-looking movement. The owner had cracked the crystal and put the watch away thereafter. IT hadn't been touched since. The movement looked brand new.
 
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I’ve had a lot of late 60s 552s / 551s that were mint, it’s not uncommon by any means
 
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thank you all so much for the insights!
The watch is indeed a 18k gold Seamaster from 1959. I've attached photo's.
I guess my next question is does anyone see any red flags in this one? If not I'll make the seller an offer. As far as I've been able to check it looks all original to me.
Seller is asking for EUR 1900,-. Suggestions on what would be a fair price to pay?
 
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buyer says this about the watch:

"Magnificent Omega Seamaster Vintage in solid gold (18K/0.750) dated from 1959.
In exceptional condition, the watch has no sign of wear and has retained its shine through the years. Dial, case and glass close to new condition.
Dial: The cross-hair dial is rare and superb. Golden Omega logo, baton hands and golden indexes in perfect condition.
Case: The case is made of 18K solid gold. Unishell case allowing access to the movement only from the face of the watch, often guaranteeing an excellent state of the mechanism.
Reference: 14735 SC-1
Movement: Caliber 520 with manual winding in “as new” condition. Impressive for a watch of this age. See photos. 17 jewels movement.
Vintage: 1959
Operation: Excellent time keeping, no significant delays observed. Manual winding works perfectly.
Original Omega crown
Glass: Plexiglas
Brand new genuine crocodile leather strap with the Omega logo. Metal pin buckle with the Omega logo"

also sent me pictures of the buckle. This is an aftermarket replacement (inox gold plated)
 
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Note than the band is a “replica” also (I’ll be kind).

IMO, the price is at least double what it should be. However, it looks to be in excellent original condition.

I found a similar watch that sold at auction for around €700.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/13067415-omega-seamaster-18-kt-gold-men-s-wristwatch-1961

However, this watch is not in good condition, so the one you are looking at should sell for more.

So I think we’ve established a range here.

Good luck with the negotiations.
gatorcpa
 
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I paid 1500 USD a few years ago for this 18k piece that was serviced and in excellent condition. I probably over paid but it was from my birth year, so I splurged.
 
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Note than the band is a “replica” also (I’ll be kind).

IMO, the price is at least double what it should be. However, it looks to be in excellent original condition.

I found a similar watch that sold at auction for around €700.

https://www.catawiki.com/l/13067415-omega-seamaster-18-kt-gold-men-s-wristwatch-1961

However, this watch is not in good condition, so the one you are looking at should sell for more.

So I think we’ve established a range here.

Good luck with the negotiations.
gatorcpa

Hi Gatorcpa,
Thanks for your reply. I totally hear what you're saying, but when looking at chrono24 it seems to me prices are significantly higher when the watch is in better condition. I haven't been able to find a similar one (in the same state) for less. A few damages to the dial and yes, those examples go for a lot less. Also worth noting I'm from the EU and am trying to avoid import taxes so USA and UK are out.
 
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The fact that the rest of the watch is so clean and the case is so sharp makes it even more likely that the movement is original and untampered with. You should probably decide for yourself how much you are comfortable paying.
 
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Nice looking watch and very clean. The fake strap/buckle adds no value. They are not genuine croc either usually, just embossed bovine leather. Note the stainless steel mark on the plated buckle.

Haggle hard!
 
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For this beauty I paid less than 1900:


Then I gave it to Omega HQ in Biehl and paid for complete service another 660 and they made an amazing job!
Altogether it was the prize this seller calls.

I know this are different watches from different timelines but I want to add just for balancing purposes.
 
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I recently sold a Seamaster DeVille in very similar configuration and condition - spotless dial, great case - and a fresh service. It was sold for a friend who had it in a drawer for ~2 decades, his goal was maximum money for it in a reasonable time, as he had a baby on the way. It changed owners after ~6 weeks for ~1150€ on C24.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t buy the example you found - it’s in lovely condition. But the fact that a very similar example still took over a month to sell for 750€ less than this seller is asking, even with a service and without the dodgy fake strap, makes it significantly overpriced in my view. That being said: Finding a nice one for less will certainly require time and patience - I’d completely understand if you pulled the trigger regardless. 😀
 
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Tell him, he can keep the wonderful croc band and the very rare gold omega buckle and offer Euro 1470. Agree to 1600. good luck ! Which country are you from?