What do you think, is this a genuine safe queen?

Hello friends,

I got an email from a work colleague doing some cycling training near Lazio Italy and sent me some images of a watch he came across to asking ifI we’re interested to buy, knowing of my fetish with vintage watches especially Omega ! His lodging land lady has recently closed down a small watch and jewellery boutique belonging to her late father( once belonging to his father) and was finalising the estate! Most was all gold and jewellery with a few new old watches of unknown brands! Only one watch was an Omega which was in a box in a safe without a bracelet nor band attached to it, but both omega bands and bracelets were with the watch together with the factory tag and watch box! The watch appears unworn from the phone photos he sent! He is not very savvy with watches so these are the best he took where some are blurry ! What are your thoughts and what model would you identify it with ?

Hi,

The following might not apply here, there are exceptions!

The phrase "safe queen" (or "Tresoruhr" in German) is very popular with professional sellers for overpriced watches. Most might have indeed seen a safe from the inside for a while in their long life, consequently I personally possess "safe queens" only, regardless the condition. I typically become very critical when I read this phrase. The same with "museal", which often is an euphemism for "not working or missing parts" ... 😉

Regarding the 1st picture I would agree and judge as 95+ %.

I always wonder, why people ( seller?) take pictures of watches this way.....and ask for a judgement or a fair price.

Did he ride a bike while taking the picture? 😂

In this case the term “safe queen” was not used by the seller nor my colleague who sent me the pictures! As I I have seen this term used quite frequently on other forums over the years by those using it to describe a near mint hardly used pieces , I have paraphrased it in my enquiry of the post, I should have asked if the time piece appears like new old stock and what reference it may possibly be! However, I do agree with what you are implying

He sent me more photos from his phone but some did not come through ! There were some vintage nice Lanco, 1970’s manual wind Zenith in original box and others that I am unfamiliar with! I do agree that the real attraction is the less common linen dial in a near mint case! As to what a fair price would be is upto how much they are in demand, When. considering that they do not come like this every day especially in that combination regardless of warranty papers is really upto how much people are willing to pay! He did say that they are open to best offer. Your comment “ Buy now and worry about details later” is a fair one as I wished I had done this with other never again finds!
LOL. I had also thought the same as he is a very interesting character similar to Mr. Bean ! We are all working over time from his absence as he charmingly convinced the boss to get leave for this crazy bike thing overseas!

Gentlemen, thanks for all your responses! Much appreciated!

Thanks for reaching out!! That was going to be my next question, but refrained as I notice that the batons are different sized on both images, where one has a luminous dot below the long narrow baton and the other baton slightly fatter and shorter is filled with either inox or black paint insert. By that I have seen many dials with the seconds markers slightly away from the dial edge in those contrasting situations !!. Then again, those could have also been re- dials as I am no expert on this topic Is there anything else apart from the "T" s that would point it to a re dial as I know that some re dial companies have refused restoration linen dials in the past based that they were harder to restore.?

Interesting comment!!!n All the other watches from the same batch are all pre 1965 which is consistent with your comment, so I am inclined to believe that it is also pre 1965 as the information I received was that they stopped dealing in watches in the mid 1960's and focused more on gold and jewelry after the first generation owner passed away who was a watchmaker. This watch was the only watch amongst the batch of other watches that had band removed and was in a box with the rest of the accessories like as if it was to fit some personalized order!! Hence, my other theory is that if the dial is still pre 1965, it could have been a special request from the buyer to have some modifications done to it like replace leather band with a bracelet and it may have had baton hands instead of dauphine ones which was the very first red flag for me to post.
Other than that it is a very tempting situation as I got more higher resolution photos which I am trying to upload (unsuccessfully )showing that the case is very sharp and in incredible good condition showing no signs of any wear.

Based on all your help and comments, I am now not as keen on it unless they can accept a much lower offer than I had originally anticipated !!!

I dare to say that I have found in my journey with vintage Omega that there have been many variations of styles and dials mixed and matched, where one can only go by the balance of probabilities of seeing old advertisements featuring what the mainstream would be as un modified.

Thanks to you all for your efforts in sharing your expertise!!