Vintage Seamaster Advice please

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bulldog8934

·Jul 23, 2023

Thought I was purchasing a well-sorted piece with plenty of documentation but what showed up leaved a lot to be desired… first time posting and would love some advice, but please be nice as it is my first.

Purchased from a Frenchman in Quebec. Was told this was “full 18k gold Seamaster with original papers” apparently from the 50s or 60s.

What I received was a piece with a random appraisal, what seems to be a non-Omega strap with a logo I have never seen before and a strange damaged case-back.

I am also not as familiar with Seamasters that do not say “Swiss Made” on them so hoping to get some clarity there too.

Here are some pics.

 

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seekingseaquest

·Jul 23, 2023

First off, it’s a cool watch - Chronometre-rated French market Seamaster from the early 1950s. Given French market, “fab suisse” rather than “Swiss made” is correct.

Bracelet is definitely not original (at least not from Omega), nor is the crown. Neither are a big deal.

Do you mind sharing what you paid for it?

 

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TexOmega

·Jul 23, 2023

Dial is original

Evaluation is whatever the watch Seller wanted stated at the bottom of the "Appraisal" and is off by 3-4x, hope you didn't approach anywhere close to $9500.

 

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TimeODanaos

·Jul 23, 2023

Welcome.
+1 to all of both the replies above. We have plenty of related material here you might like - e.g. https://omegaforums.net/threads/fab-swiss.84726/.
[Edit: ignore this bit "What was your concern with the caseback? The picture isn't quite sharp enough for me to tell, but might it be the French "eagle's head" hallmark for 18kt?" Now I've looked on the big screen I concur with the description "gouge".]

Edited: Jul 23, 2023

 

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bulldog8934

·Jul 23, 2023

Thanks for all the replies! The massive gouge on the screw down cutout is the concern. Glad to hear the dial and (assuming) the movement are original. Not quite sure about the information on the inside of the case back, would love to know what the numbers mean.

What do you all think this is worth and any idea about the logo on the clasp?

What would it take to bring the band and crown back to original? Is it even possible to find those parts?

As a reference I paid about $4500.

 

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Bruce235

·Jul 23, 2023

Omega did not sell many gold bracelets back then so it was common to see aftermarket brands or custom ones. They mostly came with straps.
Your bracelet may be original to the watch.
$4500 CAD or USD?
not an unreasonable price assuming the bracelet is 18k gold as well and CAD.
Try to get an appropriate crown, may not be easy or cheap but they exist.

Edited: Jul 23, 2023

 

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bulldog8934

·Jul 24, 2023

Bruce235

Omega did not sell many gold bracelets back then so it was common to see aftermarket brands or custom ones. They mostly came with straps.
Your bracelet may be original to the watch.
$4500 CAD or USD?
not an unreasonable price assuming the bracelet is 18k gold as well and CAD.
Try to get an appropriate crown, may not be easy or cheap but they exist.

USD unfortunately. Mostly was willing to pay the premium as the seller insisted that everything was original and in pristine condition (took pics to conceal issues) and said it included all original papers. Sadly none of this was the case and trying to figure out what I should do here.

 

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Davidt

·Jul 24, 2023

Papers don’t mean much to me and wouldn’t make or break a deal. Of course that’s when I deciding whether buy. If the seller misdescribed the package and I found out afterwards they weren’t included, the bad taste that would leave might lead to me returning the watch.
Nevertheless, it’s the watch you wear. Papers don’t make a mediocre watch good, or a good watch bad.

 

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bulldog8934

·Jul 24, 2023

Davidt

Papers don’t mean much to me and wouldn’t make or break a deal. Of course that’s when I deciding whether buy. If the seller misdescribed the package and I found out afterwards they weren’t included, the bad taste that would leave might lead to me returning the watch.
Nevertheless, it’s the watch you wear. Papers don’t make a mediocre watch good, or a good watch bad.

Fair point and I appreciate the wisdom. I think it is just how the watch was misrepresented at this point.

What do you think a fair value for the condition would be?

 

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bulldog8934

·Jul 25, 2023

Any thoughts on value as-is?

 

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Davidt

·Jul 25, 2023

No idea on value as these aren’t in my wheelhouse, but, if the listing suggested it came with original papers and this is what you got, at the very least I’d be having a stern conversation with the dealer. Whether that’s it, or it’s enough for you to return, only you can answer

 

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hejsam

·Jul 25, 2023

The bracelet is probably not worth more than scrap value in gold so lets say it weighs around 30g? Which will make it around 1400USD since todays 18k price is 47USD, so that will leave around 3000USD for the watch only and I dont think many will pay that amount.

The french case will pay less than an equivalent swiss made case with a "real reference" also I think the case design is less popular than lets say a 18k 2577. The dial is not top but fairly good and the chronometre will of course pay a premium.

In conclusion this is not a 2000+ USD watch IMO, so around 3000-3500USD with the bracelets scrap value.

 

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Geezer

·Jul 25, 2023

I remember seeing this watch on Chrono24 and considering it. From the vague pictures it clearly looked like a French cased Seamaster. I asked the seller for additional pictures, but the quality of the pictures was just too low to get a good idea of the condition.

I agree 4.5k is high. If it's any consolation, this will still make a really nice watch. Just change the crown and put it on a nice leather strap.