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Which Seamaster 300 should I buy?

G
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So I want to buy my first Omega and I got two offers. Both are Seamaster 300.

The first is a 2551.80.00 Seamaster from 2003 with no original box or papers. But it has almost no usage marks, it was serviced in july 2018. 1650 euro. (view first picture)

The second one is a 2551.80 from 1999 with original papers and original box. There are usage marks on the bezel, it was serviced in octobre 2019. The bracelet will probably be a bit to short for me so i would have to buy an extra link. 1685 euro. (second picture)

Also I like to know if both are completely original and not fake?

Thank you very much to help a newbie out.
 
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mjb
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How do you know that they were serviced? Receipts? If you have real receipts from Omega for the service with matching serial numbers, that would be a good indication that they are probably real.

I always tend to go with the nicer watch.

If you are in doubt, find a watchmaker or repair guy in your area who knows Omega or at the very least can pop off the back and take a look-see.

They both look fine to me, but I'm not an expert, and I'm not sure that an expert would give you a definitive answer with only one picture, especially with one where the watch is so small and you can't see detail.

Another watch forum I lurk on, people always say "buy the seller, not the watch". If it's a reputable store that knows the product, that's a lot better than some guy that listed them on Craigslist.

Best of luck.
 
G
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mjb mjb
How do you know that they were serviced? Receipts? If you have real receipts from Omega for the service with matching serial numbers, that would be a good indication that they are probably real.

I always tend to go with the nicer watch.

If you are in doubt, find a watchmaker or repair guy in your area who knows Omega or at the very least can pop off the back and take a look-see.

They both look fine to me, but I'm not an expert, and I'm not sure that an expert would give you a definitive answer with only one picture, especially with one where the watch is so small and you can't see detail.

Another watch forum I lurk on, people always say "buy the seller, not the watch". If it's a reputable store that knows the product, that's a lot better than some guy that listed them on Craigslist.

Best of luck.

Hello thank you for the anwser.

The second one is with official papers, but how can I can check the serial number on the paper with the watch. I don't know where to find it. The seller has a good feedback and loves talking about watches so I can trust them. The second one has also pictures of the movement.

If anybody could check if the movement is good, here is a link; https://imgur.com/a/dlQjG07?utm_sou...L95FqU1LgY01Jdt8JZXEZ8Nsy4tHK2jBt3sfLFzezgCQk
 
Mouse_at_Large
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I'm not a fan of the degraded "fried egg" tritium look, so all things being equal, I'd go for the first superluminova one.
 
G
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Mouse_at_Large Mouse_at_Large
I'm not a fan of the degraded "fried egg" tritium look, so all things being equal, I'd go for the first superluminova one.
T Tony
Personally, I would go with the first one.

Personally I like the waves on the second one. And haha love the Fried Egg, never heard that.
 
Albe100
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Mouse_at_Large Mouse_at_Large
I'm not a fan of the degraded "fried egg" tritium look, so all things being equal, I'd go for the first superluminova one.

I'll play devil's advocate. I love the look of the faded bezel and aged tritium, plus it has full set.

Authenticity - If you can ask the seller to send you a photo of the watch with the serial number beside the warranty card that should have the matching serial, it can be a start... as another member mentioned, if the 2nd seller seems more genuine, perhaps go with your gut if you like the look of the aged tritium and faded bezel
 
Mouse_at_Large
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G GordonGekko
Personally I like the waves on the second one. And haha love the Fried Egg, never heard that.

If the reference is correct for both, then they both have the same style of waves. They just don't show as well in the first photo. See https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-seamaster-300-m-mid-size-chronometer-25518000 I'm presuming you have done sufficient research to know that this is the midsize model and are comfortable with the size.
 
G
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Albe100 Albe100
I'll play devil's advocate. I love the look of the faded bezel and aged tritium, plus it has full set.

Authenticity - If you can ask the seller to send you a photo of the watch with the serial number beside the warranty card that should have the matching serial, it can be a start... as another member mentioned, if the 2nd seller seems more genuine, perhaps go with your gut if you like the look of the aged tritium and faded bezel
W Wooden_spoon
Personally I think the aged tritium does not look good on the SM300. Luminova for me.

You guys really make me doubt. I also have the serial of the first one now, I will check the serial on the movement with the lug to be 100% certain of authencity. I also have a picture of the full inside if anybody wants to see it and can't spot some fake.
 
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G
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Mouse_at_Large Mouse_at_Large
If the reference is correct for both, then they both have the same style of waves. They just don't show as well in the first photo. See I'm https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-seamaster-300-m-mid-size-chronometer-25518000 presuming you have done sufficient research to know that this is the midsize model and are comfortable with the size.

Thank you, the owner send more pictures and indeed I can see the waves if he holds the watch sideways. Yes did a lot of research also I found that on the second one the besel turns a bit dificult.
 
Barchettaman
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First one looks in slightly better condition.

Bear in mind that you can buy a second-hand watch box for it on eBay, these commonly go for about €90.

Although it doesn´t have papers you can get a certificate of authenticity from any Omega boutique. They check the serial number on the back of the lug (the lug under the 7pm marker) for about €80, I think. Then you have in effect Omega authenticity papers, for resale.
 
ConElPueblo
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G GordonGekko
So I want to buy my first Omega and I got two offers. Both are Seamaster 300.

The first is a 2551.80.00 Seamaster from 2003 with no original box or papers. But it has almost no usage marks, it was serviced in july 2018. 1650 euro. (view first picture)

You need to have a closer look and discern whether or not it has no usage marks from not being used much, or it has no usage marks from being heavily repolished. Lost metal is lost metal either way you turn it.

Look closely at the bezel; if it has seen little use the scalloped edges will be sharp; this will be lost with heavy-handed polishing and is sadly pretty common.
 
G
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Barchettaman Barchettaman
First one looks in slightly better condition.

Bear in mind that you can buy a second-hand watch box for it on eBay, these commonly go for about €90.

Although it doesn´t have papers you can get a certificate of authenticity from any Omega boutique. They check the serial number on the back of the lug (the lug under the 7pm marker) for about €80, I think. Then you have in effect Omega authenticity papers, for resale.

I checked the lug and the movement has the same serial number. I will probably ask some omega papers in the future.

ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
You need to have a closer look and discern whether or not it has no usage marks from not being used much, or it has no usage marks from being heavily repolished. Lost metal is lost metal either way you turn it.

Look closely at the bezel; if it has seen little use the scalloped edges will be sharp; this will be lost with heavy-handed polishing and is sadly pretty common.

The first one is not polished, I will check this when I go to visit it in real life.

Is also still want to know if it's genuine or not. I think so because of the friedly seller, he want to meet up at his home. If anybody is familiar with the movement would you check it?

Thank your for all the helpful anwsers
 
MPWATCH
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I like patina on anything. It give the watch some added character.

Of course, you should buy whatever is going to deliver that excitement every time you look down at your wrist.
 
G
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MPWATCH MPWATCH
I like patina on anything. It give the watch some added character.

Of course, you should buy whatever is going to deliver that excitement every time you look down at your wrist.
Probably will go for the first dealer as he is 1 hour away from me, very friendly and has extra links for the watch
 
mblease
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Purely based on aesthetics I’d be inclined to go for the fried egg tritium dial. I’ve had an early 2000s luminova in my possession for almost a year and whenever I wear it I kinda wish it had something a little more visual to set it apart from more recent iterations. A tritium dial will probably always make you smile when you look down at it. Of course it’s a totally personal thing!
 
kip595
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I wore the mid-size quite often in grad school. Mine had the luminova, but the tritium can add to the effect of aging gracefully, if you like it. If both are legit and hold up under close or preferably, in-person inspection, it really does come down to preference. I'd probably go with the lume for sentimentality, but both are excellent choices.
 
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