Vintage Omega Shopping: Buying Advice for Collectors

Spruce

Well, the first thing you did right was posting on OF.
The next thing you should do is sign up on eBay, or at least look at the listings.
You can also look up the sold listings, which gives you a better idea of what the price should be.
Look up the OF thread: LEARN HOW TO FISH - A GUIDE - NOT FOR ENQUIRIES.
Decide which movement you want; automatic calibres 552 (no date) or 565 (date) or manual wind 601/613 and the shape of the case.

These are some examples that I own or have owned.

So far as price is concerned, I think €900 is too much and you should look around for a lower price, say €600. You can always go up.

Before you buy, post the watch here (face & movement ) comments.

One thing about Geneves is that they’re rarely redialled so that can help.

riimar

Repainted dials and overpolished cases would be my biggest concerns when buying a vintage piece.

I’d say the safest place to buy one would be from one of our members.

Second would be an eBay auction. There’s a great thread with recommendations here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/rec...-watches-only-on-ebay-not-for-inquiries.1790/

Chrono24 is safe to use if you know what you’re looking for.

As for Catawiki, I’d personally stay away from it.

Spruce

Look for a 165.041 without a date or 166.041 with a date - both are automatics

theluckyluke

You haven’t said which Genève - I personally would go for the cursive one, like this one.

You can find a steel (probably preferred) for your budget or gold-plated for a bit less, without compromising on dial condition.

Happy hunting.

lenndon

The prices you will get on eBay are just mostly better than what you can find on Chrono24.
You can keep an eye on this Omegaforums thread:
recommended-vintage-omega-watches-only-on-ebay-not-for-inquiries
Or just ask here about a listing that you find interesting. Might save you some money.

Wahoo98

I have been trying to learn about vintage watches (especially Omegas) over the last year and have purchased a few. It is definitely a time consuming and stressful process - searching models, studying photos, researching sellers etc. - but also a lot of fun and a great learning experience. This forum is a great asset. One thing to think about as you budget is the likelihood you will want to get a vintage watch serviced after you get it, especially as a daily wearer. Even ones listed as serviced don’t always seem like they have been. The good news is that the Omega movements tend to be great and typically work well when properly serviced, even after all these years. Good luck.

Wahoo98

Definitely a lot of options from Japan. I have bought a couple (an Omega and a Seiko) from Japanese dealers that appeared to have good reputations. Prices, being dealer, were a bit on the higher side, but I had a pretty good experience. The watches were just as described, and the service in terms of the shipping/customs process was painless. Both watches were delivered in the U.S. in about 4 days or so.