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Vintage Omega Seamaster - what to do?

F
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I bought this watch in an estate sale for my partner. It is running. No box or papers came with it. I remembered that he said he liked this brand. I want to take it to an authorised Omega service to see if it’s real and to get it cleaned before I gift it to him - and get a box for it!

Before I do anything that might damage this (hopefully authentic) watch, I wanted to ask for advice - what should I do? I have read varying things about taking it to get serviced - I don’t know the last time this was serviced.

It looks exactly like watch (except that it is obviously black): https://www.chrono24.co.nz/omega/om...hite-dial-fullset-ref-1660277--id45007103.htm

IMG_4542.webp IMG_4539.webp IMG_4548.webp IMG_4540.webp
 
IMG_4550.mov - 22.9 MB
OmegaGeneve
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I do like the looks but not familiar with it. Could be Franken. But can you pop the hood and show us the numbers in the back?

Edit: sorry I saw in the link it’s suppose to be a 166.0277. Taking it to a AD will not help you; first of all 99.9% of the dealers do not know their vintage stuff and secondly they will gutt you open if you service this through Omega. This work is for a competent local watchmaker, preferably with an Omega parts account. (And it’s an ETA movement so easy to service/parts)

It’s real just google 166.027 and you will get similar hits. Wear it in good health (it’s men’s/unisex). Nice find.
Edited:
 
F
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OmegaGeneve OmegaGeneve
I do like the looks but not familiar with it. Could be Franken. But can you pop the hood and show us the numbers in the back?
I’m taking it to an authorised Omega service agent tomorrow and I’ll ask them to take photos. Theres no way I’m opening it myself! I know nothing about watches.
 
JimInOz
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OmegaGeneve OmegaGeneve
Could be Franken.
Not a Franken.
It's a reference 366.0875 with a caliber 1110..

F Foxfall
I’m taking it to an authorised Omega service agent tomorrow and I’ll ask them to take photos. Theres no way I’m opening it myself! I know nothing about watches.
Hardly worth your time. The watch is genuine and the service agent will probably know nothing about a vintage watch from 1980.

This is your watch, they came with white and grey dials.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-au/watch-omega-seamaster-replica-st-366-0875
 
F
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JimInOz JimInOz
Not a Franken.
It's a reference 366.0875 with a caliber 1110..


Hardly worth your time. The watch is genuine and the service agent will probably know nothing about a vintage watch from 1980.

This is your watch, they came with white and grey dials.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-au/watch-omega-seamaster-replica-st-366-0875
Thank you so much!

Do you think I get it cleaned by the service agent before gifting it or not? I don’t want to do the wrong thing before gifting it!

I’m in New Zealand and the service agent I found closest to me is Nairns in Auckland.
 
Spruce
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Nice watch and I’m sure it will be liked and enjoyed by your partner.
As has been said above, the AD is the wrong place for this watch.
Look around for a local NZ watchmaker (not the guy in the Mall who changes batteries) if you want the watch serviced.
Order some Polywatch and polish the crystal.
Buy a soft jewellers cloth and gently rub the watch but appreciate that this was never a high-shine case or bracelet so you don’t want to polish out the design of case and bracelet.
The watch case for this vintage watch will be long gone and a vintage box may be incorrect. Instead, look online (eBay) and order what you think looks nice. There’s a lot of choice.
If your partner needs the bracelet re-sized, any competent local jeweller will be able to help.
 
Spruce
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Also, whilst the watch has a value of a few ££, so does the bracelet which is original and so do the 784 end links. You can get a rough idea of the value by looking at the For Sale and Sold prices on eBay.
 
C
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F Foxfall
I’m taking it to an authorised Omega service agent tomorrow and I’ll ask them to take photos. Theres no way I’m opening it myself! I know nothing about watches.
Don’t. Take it to one of the towns competent watchmakers. Although it’s an Omega, there’s absolutely nothing magical about it.
 
C
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F Foxfall
Thank you so much!

Do you think I get it cleaned by the service agent before gifting it or not? I don’t want to do the wrong thing before gifting it!

I’m in New Zealand and the service agent I found closest to me is Nairns in Auckland.
I would be happy a f if my love would buy me a watch and give it to me as is, because I want to decide for myself what to have done with it and who I want to have doing it. I think you should give it away as it is. But that’s me.
 
SOG53
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As a gift I think exterior clean and US bath for bracelet is required.
(I’m always surprised to see how much black stuff comes off a vintage bracelet.)

You can always send off for movement service later.

And if by chance the recipient does not like it, you haven’t spent the 300-500 on a service, which is money you would never recoup if you resell it.
 
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