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Trying to buy my first vintage Omega

Mads Nielsen
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Hi everyone, as you can see by the headline I'm looking to pick up my first vintage Omega watch. The model itself I'm pretty flexible with, I just want to get a "cheap" and nice model to really get a feel for it. I've found two auctions that I would love if someone would take a look at and tell me what they see and think. Thanks!

-Mads

https://m.lauritz.com/da/auktion/omega-seamaster-600-herreur-rustfrit-stl/i6184006

And

https://m.lauritz.com/da/auktion/omega-herreur-double--rustfrit-stl/i6188009
 
onlyomega94
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Hi Mads and welcome to OF (from a fellow Danish member). Please post pictures instead of links as it is much easier for people to look at and will stay on OF as a source of learning. Also, other members appreciate a few words on your own thoughts about the watches. So what’s your opinion about the two?

That being said, I personally think that the dials on both are too far gone. Even though you might get them for cheap, you’ll regret it in the long run. Also, you have to add around 200 euro for a service and then you end up having a watch that is not worth as much as you will have paid. I would say it’s better to wait around a bit and maybe spend just a tad more to get a decent example.
Edited:
 
Caliber561
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I'd also pass. Unless you service watches yourself, the cost of getting these cheap examples running is going to kill any savings you might otherwise have gotten.
 
hen
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Hej Mats davs fra Norge!

I like the stainless steel one, but I am not a collector and dont know anything about the watch. Be prepered to spend 3000 DKK on a service.

1000 DKK is $150 for those who didnt bother to google.

1D1584546F9591B408B3D486316FA010.jpg
 
Mads Nielsen
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Thanks for all of the inputs and warm welcomes everyone.
I didn't realise service was a major part when getting a "new" watch. I would on another note find it quite interesting to service it myself as a learning experience. That would probably be very useful skill for the future with vintage watch collecting.
I will look around and get a bit more feel for the market and what plays a major role in the price and quality of each timepeace.
 
fjf
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Yes, you'll have to service them always. But if they are cheap and you like them (and you'll wear them), what's the harm?. Not all of us are collectors of mint examples costing thousands.
 
onlyomega94
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Mads Nielsen Mads Nielsen
Thanks for all of the inputs and warm welcomes everyone.
I didn't realise service was a major part when getting a "new" watch. I would on another note find it quite interesting to service it myself as a learning experience. That would probably be very useful skill for the future with vintage watch collecting.
I will look around and get a bit more feel for the market and what plays a major role in the price and quality of each timepeace.

We all have been in your shoes - there is so much to learn when getting into vintage watches. Unless you have a lot (!!) of time on your hands (and money to spend on movements you wreck), you won't be able to service the watches yourself. Also, investing in watch cleaning machines, tools etc. will set you back quite some money. Be aware that (at least in Denmark) it takes 4.5 years of school and training to become a certified watchmaker. Also, a service on a standard hand-wound mechanical vintage Omega in Denmark (at least in Copenhagen) should be around 1.600 DKK assuming that no parts have to be replaced. Some places charge a lot more but if you get to the point that you have bought a watch, let us know and we can provide recommendations.

Oh, and one last point I at least had to learn when getting into old Omegas: Bracelets have value too. The one on the Seamaster you linked to is not original so it is worth nothing but had it been original it would have added around 100-150 euros in value.
 
Waltesefalcon
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Welcome Mads. The stainless one isn't all that bad, depending on your disposition towards it. The gold filled one would be a hard pass.

I would mostly recommend that you take your time though, peruse this site more, and learn how to spot good watches. I'd also highly recommend finding a decent local watchmaker. Even if you start developing the skills to become even a hobbyist watchmaker it'll take time. Having someone local that is knowledgeable and that you can develop a relationship with is incredibly helpful.
 
kaplan
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That's a very special dial on the first one, worth getting and spending money on I'd say
 
Dan S
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Any photos and other info about the watches under consideration?
 
Mads Nielsen
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Dan S Dan S
Any photos and other info about the watches under consideration?
1D1584546F9591B408B3D486316FA010
 
Dan S
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Seems like a reasonable starter piece if you like the style. Based on that one photo, I think it will probably clean up just fine. As you probably know, the bracelet is not made by Omega.
 
Mads Nielsen
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Dan S Dan S
Seems like a reasonable starter piece if you like the style. Based on that one photo, I think it will probably clean up just fine. As you probably know, the bracelet is not made by Omega.
Yes, thank you. The bidding currently is at about 200 euro. I guess that's a reasonable price to set my limit for at a piece like this?
 
Dan S
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You will probably not win it for 200 Euro, or even 300 Euro IMO
 
Mads Nielsen
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Dan S Dan S
You will probably not win it for 200 Euro, or even 300 Euro IMO
Understood thanks, appreciate the honesty.
 
Mads Nielsen
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For anyone interested, the seamaster 600 closed at a price about 280 euro. ^_^
 
onlyomega94
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Mads Nielsen Mads Nielsen
For anyone interested, the seamaster 600 closed at a price about 280 euro. ^_^
My calculations would say that it closed at 325 euros, including fees (1.900 DKK + 22.5% + 95 DKK). Not an absurd price, but I still think that the dial is far from good and with the added cost of a service, one could get a much better example. Also, whilst this dial variant is not common, I still see them pop up relatively frequently. Just my two cents...
 
Mads Nielsen
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onlyomega94 onlyomega94
My calculations would say that it closed at 325 euros, including fees (1.900 DKK + 22.5% + 95 DKK). Not an absurd price, but I still think that the dial is far from good and with the added cost of a service, one could get a much better example. Also, whilst this dial variant is not common, I still see them pop up relatively frequently. Just my two cents...
You are right, thanks for specifying. I'll stay engaged and look for other pices and consult the board when I find something interesting. How is vintage omega watches usually found? Is there a prefered platform like ebay, specific dealers or specalist stores?
- Mads
 
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