First time poster here. I have an opportunity to acquire this vintage chrono from my local Omega AD. Here is what I know about the watch:

-Case #2466
-Serial #16XXXXXX (1958?)
-18kt gold
-321 movement, recently serviced and runs well

I am wondering if anyone here can share any information regarding this watch’s history, market value, etc. There is currently no asking price and I don’t know where to begin. Thanks!

 

No asking price from an AD? Really? So he is just taking offers? Did he give you any info or history on the watch? Do you have any other photos? High resolution and in focus? From other angles and inside?

 

He is open to a reasonable offer with some back up to support it. This watch has been sitting in his safe for a couple of years.

 

Ok. So he wants you to research it. Do you know the reference? Solid 18k gold or gold cap?

 

Shoot sorry. I should read.

 

You can google auctions for omega 2466 and a handful of results will come up, and that will give you a general range. But if you want to get really good advice you will need lots of good photos to help members judge condition. At first glance it looks really nice, but the difference between good and excellent could be many thousands of usd.

 

Hello and welcome!

Do you have any better pictures? It's almost impossible to tell something, but at first glance, the dial looks a bit too clean.

 

https://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/omega-a-fine-18k-pink-gold-chronograph-6042733-details.aspx ($8000)
https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/omega-ref-ot-2466-lot-291-394 ($4900)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/71763835_54130-omega-rare-ref-2466-cal-321-chronograph-18k ($4200, patinated dial))
https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en...graph-lot-310-252?browse_all=1&page=1&q=omega (didn't sell at estimated reserve price of $10k)
https://www.watchcharts.com/listing/600121 ($2.5k spots on dial)
https://www.mywatchmart.com/listing/356149-18k-vintage-omega-calibre-321-chronograph/ ($5000 asking price)

 

Thanks! Condition is very good to excellent. I will try to get more photos.

 

I’ll work on some better photos. Dial was confirmed original by Omega service and shows some light patina on the registers but everything is allegedly original.

 

The most important thing is to confirm that the dial is absolutely original. If it has been refinished, it cuts the value nearly in half.

 

I have never heard of "Omega service" confirming that the dial is original, but frankly I don't think I would trust them with my money. I'm sure they can look at the back of the dial and tell that it's the original dial disk, but I'm not sure that the typical watchmaker at Swatchgroup service can really distinguish a high quality redial. We have heard stories like this far too often on the forum. We are all hoping that it's entirely original and in great condition. It's also important to get good photos of the lugs and case so we can judge how well the case is preserved. etc.

 

Yes, dial doesn't look wrong from your picture, but very clean for a late 1940s watch. That's why I asked for better pictures.

Also, the watch as a whole looks like new. So "OMEGA Service" lets me think that this is not the genuine vintage thing.

Edit: Vintage thing (with dial damage from cleaning, that is not regular), for your own comparison:

 

Well, clean dials do exist, and we all love to see them, so let's keep hope alive. Not every dial is damaged. If the rest of the watch is in similarly great condition, it will make a more convincing and consistent picture, and I think I am seeing a pretty sharp edge on at least one lug (although admittedly, it could be an illusion from the photo), so I think we should just be patient and not pre-judge.

I gave the OP some links to get him started, so he has a very rough idea of value and an idea of how to do more research. If he's new to vintage watches, he will need help in determining originality and condition, which takes experience.

Late 50s BTW ... not 40s according to the OP.

 

Shoot sorry. I should read.

 

The watchmaker at the AD sent to watch to an Omega authorized Service Center for verification, fwiw.

 

And you got what from them? A letter or email saying explicitly that the dial was all original?

 

I’ll ask for a copy of the doc and provide to the group for feedback