I'm still on the hunt for a vintage piece and ideally want it as standard as possible. I'm still new to figuring out what has been redialed and polished so could do with your opinions please? Also approx value?

I do love a good patina on my watches as you can tell! I've been reading up a lot so would like to test my knowledge too...I think the Seamaster 30 has an untouched dial, even patina, hands and indices match, correct fonts used. I'm unsure if it's ever been polished as I'm struggling with the lugs.

 

Damaged dial, worn gold plated case, bad engraving on the case back - it's not something I'd want to take home.

Price - whatever the seller is asking, is more than I'd want to pay.

 

The Seamaster cal 552, it's hard to tell if polished as the case looks dark in some photos and the top right lug looks slightly different than the rest, could be pics though. The 'Omega' text is embossed which I haven't seen before?

 

The case looks ok, the Omega logo is applied (which is not uncommon for watches of this era), it looks like the dial is damaged at 11 and 1.

 

The logo I know can be applied but the text as well? Here is a better image of the dial. Worth much?

 

The Omega symbol and script are often seen applied, they raise no concerns. I don’t think the damage to the dial/peeing lacquer are attractive.

As to price - what is the the seller asking? How much does it compare to previously sold examples in similar condition.

No one here is a valuation service/expert... you’re going to have to go track down some sales data from places like eBay my friend.

 

I will take a look! No 2 watches are the same unfortunately but hopefully it will give me a rough idea.

 

Heavy rotor wear on this one...will need a service.

 

You’re only finding watches that need a service lol

 

To give you an idea on price- unless either of the above were under $250 (and that is the sum of the usable parts essentially), I would walk away. “Patina” as seen here is just damage, and it only devalues the watch and doesn’t add value- despite being attractive to some. If anyone says otherwise- I have a well patina’d 1938 house I’m happy to sell them and will add a premium for the cracked bathroom subway tile, peeling lead paint, boiling plaster, missing roof slates and 30 year old kitchen that just “oozes” charm.