Well, where? I have been looking for a mint condition (at least the dial) of one of these references for almost half a year now, and i have not stumbled on anything really useful. Are my hunting grounds (mainly eBay and chrono24) not the right ones, as there rarely pops anything up, other than the bad, bad redials? Oh, Where Art Thou, 011?
Don't worry, they're out there. Wait til watch season starts at the end of January. It seems to be at peak in March into April, then tapers off.
I think it's something to do with recovering all that money you spent at C'mas and New Year, also Thanksgiving or whatever funny things you chaps across the water have in addition.
A handful of us (@LouS, @cicindela, @kyle L, and a few more) have kept track of when the most watches in the nicest condition come up for sale. We've dubbed these time periods watch seasons. The main one starts in late January and runs into late April as mentioned above. There's a small run in the summer (like a Christmas in July), and a small spurt at the end of fall from November into December.
I feel your pain. This 136.011 is not really what I was looking for. I came across this one and made an offer and got it for a fair price. The dial has some kind of defect that I have seen on other pearl finished 600's. I think it still looks good, but far from perfect.
@ulackfocus Interestring observation! My patience is not what is used to be, so if a nice 135/6.011 pops up before the season starts, i won't complain.. @kingsrider That is some wild patina! I have seen a lot of 600´s with "bubbly" dials, but not anything to that extent before!
I'd say good condition Seamaster 600's pop up frequently on eBay. You just need to be able to tell between and poor dial (no go) and a poor crystal (easily remedied). I bought one a month or so ago.
@ulackfocus The rarity of the watch does not means much to me, so i am more concerned how the ref. and cal. is regarding, and the condition of the watch Do you think the dirt/scratches on the hands is a problem, and does the case looks polished?
The overall condition of that watch isn't great. The dial is nice, but there are several gouges in the case / lugs that are in difficult spots to remove. Enough of these pop up that you can be patient.
166.002 and 165.002 are nice watches. They look similar to the 136.011 but are a mm wider in diameter. The hands can be cleaned up. If it is corrosion it won't be so easy and maybe not be possible to remove the pitting. The case does not look polished to me.
Here you go. I don't think this is a 135.011.This is a smaller case, maybe 135.012 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Vintage...836321?hash=item4b0e804c21:g:mqEAAOSwB09YFZYUPurchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
Thanks, @kingsrider, but that case is too small and i also forgot to mention: i am only looking for the refs with silver hands, index and dials I have already owned a 136.011 with an almost perfect dial and case BUT with black index.. If dont HAVE to be one of these references, if they are some other refs. out there that look almost a like Its hard being picky!
What a great day it is! A 7 months long hunt is now over, as i have finally found the 136.011 to match my criteria! Freshly serviced and with the perfect dial that i so badly wanted! I have already ordered some new straps that i find more suitable, but i still need an original vintage buckle. I have already read the excellent post about vintage buckles on this site, but since i am still quite the newcomer, i find it hard to distinguish the good from the bad on eBay. I therefore ask you, if you know of any reputable sellers on eBay that i can buy a vintage buckle from with peace of mind? Or if there is any other place where vintage buckles are available? I wanted to take some pictures of the watch, but unfortunately the weather is not optimal for taking great wrist shot photos today, but i still wanted to share my excitement, so for now i will have to make due with the one of the photo that the seller provided, until i can provide you with some of my own:
And here are some of my own! Not the best of quality or the best light setting, but none the less, i am extremely happy that i finally found one! I put it on a Hirsch Diamond Calf strap instead of the textured brown one that came with it, which i think complements the watch really nicely! Now i only need the buckle! Any advice on where to find them? I am willing to pay a good price for one