What happens to those watches bought at Somlo?

ext1 · Jul 14, 2018

Ah, I see. I was simply going off sp101, forgive my ignorance. I saw the SN was 2911xxxx, I guess it's too late for a DON. But shouldn't the DNN still be the type without the accent on E? This one had the modern service part without the serif at 70.

sjg22 · Jul 14, 2018

ext1
As I was reading this I had to explain to an ignorant dealer what's the difference between an original OEM Omega part, and a part original to the watch. He was trying to pass off a -69 with a DNN as "original" 🤦 even a newbie like me knows that...

Many -69s legitimately have DNN bezels... although I’ve dealt with dealers who barely seemed like they were interested in watches at all.

ext1 · Jul 14, 2018

I see I have a lot to learn still thank you for the correction! 😀 I didn't know if a DON is appropriate for that piece but definitely I knew it had a modern service bezel which he was describing as "original". I didn't want other newbies like me getting ripped off from the misleading description so I talked...

abrod520 · Jul 14, 2018

ext1
Ah, I see. I was simply going off sp101, forgive my ignorance. I saw the SN was 2911xxxx, I guess it's too late for a DON. But shouldn't the DNN still be the type without the accent on E? This one had the modern service part without the serif at 70.

That's actually too early for a DNN, that range should have a DON. So in this case you were correct, but be sure to verify the serial number before turning down a -69 with a DNN - you might miss a good one! 😉

Either way though it definitely shouldn't have a modern service bezel - the best way to tell is that the dot is under 70. There were non-serif DNNs from 1991-1995 however, but those also shouldn't appear on a -69.

shishy · Jul 15, 2018

Potentially a dumb question, partly because I'm not so familiar with flightmasters: How do you distinguish a watch that sat in a box for decades, unused, with its original case, from a similar watch with a case that underwent a good refinishing to factory finish (or was replaced with a new but correct case)?

Are there telltale signs you look for, or is it just noticing the perfect quality of the case but comparing it against other things that have marks (scratched up bezel, etc.)? (But in that case, how do you know they didn't just swap the original bezel from an unused but correct watch that wasn't recut with a crappy one so they could use the clean bezel somewhere else)?

Not trying to challenge the description of the watch in question, I am just curious.

tyrantlizardrex · Jul 15, 2018

Not a dumb question at all.

Mostly from years and years of looking at, and handling watches - you just get to learn what’s genuinely not messed with vs. given a full rework.

To me, the watch for sale looks like it’s lost some metal vs. the 146.013 that I’m lucky enough to own, and is original (excluding the pushers).

My one was worn daily for daily for 30 years by one guy. It wasn’t treated badly, but the graining (which wasn’t cut deep on the 145.013) has worn, so that in bright light it looks polished.

Anything popping up now with very crisp graining and an immaculate case back, but then a dial and hands, and bezel that show exposure to use/life, to me is suspect. Not bad suspect, just not 100% as it left the factory. Probably. 😉