What am I looking at? Omega Seamaster De Ville Automatic

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Hey Everyone!

A claimed vintage Seamaster De Ville popped up locally that I thought looked interesting and wanted to get some more info from those more knowledgeable than I.

Only received two decent pictures from the seller. The main thing I’m curious about is the dial. The majority of the pictures I’ve seen are numeral dials only but this has numbers at 6, 9, and 12. Can someone help me identify the ref?

Thank you!

 
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That’s a known variation and looks original.
More pictures or holding the watch in hand would help but I’d wager that beneath that scratched crystal is a beautiful dial.
 
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Looks like a nice example

Note, that since this is a front loading reference getting a movement shot is unlikely from a private seller.

What is the asking price?
 
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Looks like a nice example

Note, that since this is a front loading reference getting a movement shot is unlikely from a private seller.

What is the asking price?

Happy to hear that it appears to be in good condition and good to know it's a front loading piece! Asking price is $650, I was planning on seeing it in person in the next couple of days.
 
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Looks like a 166.020 in solid condition!

Thank you! That's what I was assuming but wasn't sure as I didn't find any of that reference with the 6/9/12 numbers on the dial.
 
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That’s a known variation and looks original.
More pictures or holding the watch in hand would help but I’d wager that beneath that scratched crystal is a beautiful dial.

Thank you! Good to know it does appear to be an original dial. Seems like a somewhat rare variation as I can't find any other pictures of this dial online.
 
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It's not a crazy price, and I think that the dial will look very nice in person, the apparent issues are probably due to scratches on the crystal. Since these one-piece cases are hard for amateurs to open, they are usually not tampered with. Zooming in on your photo, the lugs are really scratched up, which is unfortunate, but not necessarily a dealbreaker. However, it should affect the price a little, and unless the watch was recently serviced, I would probably be trying to negotiate.
 
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It's not a crazy price, and I think that the dial will look very nice in person, the apparent issues are probably due to scratches on the crystal. Since these one-piece cases are hard for amateurs to open, they are usually not tampered with. Zooming in on your photo, the lugs are really scratched up, which is unfortunate, but not necessarily a dealbreaker. However, it should affect the price a little, and unless the watch was recently serviced, I would probably be trying to negotiate.

Agreed, was certainly planning on negotiating based on condition and that they have no service history. Does the crystal look like it can be restored or is it a bit too far gone?
 
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My guess is that it could be saved if you're willing to spend a little time on it, first with fine sandpaper of increasing grit, then compound. I've save much worse. That said, if you're planning to have it serviced, replacing the crystal might just be easier.
 
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My guess is that it could be saved if you're willing to spend a little time on it, first with fine sandpaper of increasing grit, then compound. I've save much worse. That said, if you're planning to have it serviced, replacing the crystal might just be easier.

Appreciate it! If I pick it up I'll give polishing it out a shot. Do I need to worry about polishing out the center Omega logo or is that on the backside of the crystal?
 
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I think I see a period-correct 'flat-foot' Omega logo etched into that crystal. If so, it's probably got a value of at least $70-100 if not cracked. Definitely worth preserving and polishing IMO.
 
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The logo is on the underside so would need some serious polishing to impact it!
 
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The dial is clearly fake.. it has two 9's 😉
Could be a legit Rolex lol
 
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The dial is clearly fake.. it has two 9's 😉
I thought you were referring to the 6 being an upside down then looked again and got a good chuckle.