Remember I am a watch virgin....
Here we have two 1970’s Omega automatics. Same 1020 movement. One has the round case and leather strap.
Next we have auto with the bigger case and a stainless omega stainless steel strap.
The round case went for $1000+.
The fuller case with stainless steel strap went for $500+.

Is this all personal preference or is the round case Omega automatic 1020 more desirable than the Omega auto 1020 with the fuller stainless steel case?

I don’t have a reason, please inform me

 

Someone really wanted a NOS level one of those with bracelet vs a run of the mill watch.

 

NOS? No good with acronyms. NOS level one?

 

I don’t think the cushion cases are as desirable

 

I know I will be accused of trolling, which one is cushion case? I could google but here I am. OK the $500 one is cushion case.

 

So basically the difference of $500 is personal preference in this case?

 

New Old Stock - basically means it was either tucked away in a watch shop and never sold or someone bought it and put it in a safe. Either way, means untouched.

 

Well, I guess it would be bottom one but traditionally the cushion case looks like this...

 

New Old Stock. Basically never worn.

Cushion case means not round...

Also integrated bracelets are less desirable as they are impossible to find bracelets for and can’t really put straps on them.

Fluke that it went so high.

 

They aren't NOS - they both have redials. It's not too hard to tell both watches have heavily refinished and polished cases also.

I wouldn't pay $500 for either - and probably not for both combined.

 

NOS= new old stock= basically never worn. Comes with stickers etc

 

The cushion model appears to me to have a non-original bracelet on it. Here’s mine. This style of bracelet is often called a “dedicated” bracelet. If the time came that the watch needed a replacement, and a correct original bracelet was unavailable or too expensive, replacing the bracelet involves a compromise. If the subject watch had a poor aftermarket bracelet on it (can’t tell from the picture), not too many people would buy it.

 

A replacement band or a Omega replacement band or real deal in your opinion?

 

On top of all the other excellent information you are getting on valuation, I will say that yes, there is a difference in desirability associated with different shapes of cases. The classic round cases are, all things being equal, a bit more popular than C-shape or cushion cases. But not the full $500-worth of difference.

 

Now, with a better picture of the cushion watch, the bracelet appears to me to be original, and correct. Potential difficulty in replacing a dedicated bracelet would be a bigger factor (IMO) if the dedicated bracelet was shot. But this one looks good to me. I prefer the look of the cushion one, but I am prejudiced because I own a nearly identical watch. The bracelet on mine has lasted for almost 50 years, and it will serve someone else for years, after I am no longer around to wear it. For $1,000 smackers, I wouldn’t have bought the round one. And I paid less than $500 for my cushion, but I won’t say how much less!