Would appreciate advice re this SM300 CK2913/3 I am thinking of buying

DavidG · Feb 9, 2025

Hi people,
I was recently offered this pretty beat-up and pretty early SM300 CK2913-3 (movement serial #15693XXX).
The owner claims it was given to him as a present for his 13th birthday in 1958, in Cuba of all places (where he was born and lived at the time).
IMHO the watch is fully legit, however if you think otherwise (whether re the watch itself or any of its parts) please let me know!
All the parts I need would have to be purchased online and the labor would have to be outsourced.
The parts I believe are required to get the watch back to presentable condition are:

Bezel insert and pip
Crystal
Bracelet (not an absolute must)

BTW, the watch hasn't been serviced in well over a decade. Yesterday I wound it, set the time and laid it face up on my desk. It ran for 43 hours before stopping, losing less than 30 seconds over the period. Pretty impressive, considering.
My question is this:
Given the fact that the watch will require investing additional funds after I buy it (parts, labor, etc), what would be a fair price to pay for it, given its reasonable market value once the process is over?
Thanks in advance,
David

Dan S · Feb 9, 2025

As you probably know, a replacement bezel insert would be aftermarket. Or you could try to hunt down a full intact bezel. Regarding value, I think you should probably start doing your own research using auction sales, forum listings, etc. Perhaps you can get a sense of market value.

Davidt · Feb 9, 2025

Welcome.
What are your thoughts on its value? Have you determined a range for ‘restored’ examples and costed up the parts you think you need?

sheepdoll · Feb 9, 2025

:🍿:

DavidG · Feb 9, 2025

Dan S
As you probably know, a replacement bezel insert would be aftermarket. Or you could try to hunt down a full intact bezel. Regarding value, I think you should probably start doing your own research using auction sales, forum listings, etc. Perhaps you can get a sense of market value.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Dan.
I have searched extensively for an original intact bezel and have not found one, therefore an aftermarket insert seems to be the only way to go.
As for value, I've done quite a bit of research. Unfortunately the information I've found is not very helpful, for a number of reasons.
One, this is an uncommon watch so there are relatively very few actual sale results.
Two, the majority of the results I did find were from quite a while ago and are therefore less relevant to today's market.
Three, I found no results for watches in the condition of this one, which amplifies their irrelevance.
Four, I am not a vintage Omega expert so it's hard for me to assess the relevance of the results I did manage to find to this watch.
Five, each specific watch is different and to a layman such as myself the nuances that make the value of one watch X whereas another Y are not clear.
This is why I thought that posting a question here, in a forum populated by aficionados (many of whom have forgotten more than I will ever know), will hopefully help me get the answer I am looking for.
I hope this clarifies the rationale behind my original post and hopefully this rationale will convince one or more forum members to answer my question.
Thanks in any case,
David

DavidG · Feb 9, 2025

Davidt
Welcome.
What are your thoughts on its value? Have you determined a range for ‘restored’ examples and costed up the parts you think you need?

Thanks to you too, Davidt.
Please see my response above to Dan's post to get an idea of where I am with the situation.
I found no specific results relevant to this watch in respect to 'restored' examples, for the reasons I detailed in my response to Dan.
As for costing the parts I think I need, from what I understand a new original Omega crystal costs circa $250 and an aftermarket bezel insert something in the 300 Euro range.
However I may be mistaken so any input in this respect would be appreciated too.
And in response to your first question, I think that after replacing the crystal and adding the aftermarket bezel insert (putting aside the bracelet for now), the value of the restored watch would be in the $5K ballpark. Its case is pretty battered and the hands too, so it may be a presentable watch but it definitely won't be a pretty one.
Here too, any input (if my post-restoration value estimate is too high or too low) would be appreciated.
Thanks again,
David

SOG53 · Feb 9, 2025

Can you tell us the asking price? Are you considering buying and then selling it, or would you be buying as a collector to keep in your collection?
Looks like an original well worn interesting watch.
FYI There are many requests for "fly by" valuations here so members are less responsive if that is the impression.

calalum · Feb 9, 2025

Can you get some good pictures of the dial without the crystal so we can take a look at the condition? The watch is obviously pretty rough. Without seeing any recent sales and considering the various issues I would think without better pictures my top dollar would probably be $3000. If you can get comfortable with some of those other issues, maybe $4000. Just my opinion. Good luck either way.

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

SOG53
Can you tell us the asking price? Are you considering buying and then selling it, or would you be buying as a collector to keep in your collection?
Looks like an original well worn interesting watch.
FYI There are many requests for "fly by" valuations here so members are less responsive if that is the impression.Thanks

Thanks for responding.
The seller asked me to make an offer, but the impression I got was that he would be OK selling the watch for $3,500-4,000.
I am purchasing the watch for my own vintage watch collection and not for resale. But nonetheless I would like to ascertain its estimated market value (if possible), because I prefer not to overpay, which is why I posted my question for the experts here.
As for your closing 'FYI' comment:
I'm not so sure I understand the rationale of why someone would be less responsive to answer a 'fly by' request for valuation.
One of the wonders of the internet is that it allows people to utilize the wisdom of the masses.
My own profession is dealing in rare books, ephemera and art. I frequent literally dozens of forums of the nature of this one, where people from all walks of life and from all corners of the globe, with a passion for a certain subject, congregate to share information and knowledge and have fun.
Sometimes people walk in the forum door to ask a passing question, get an answer and then walk out, never to return.
So what? Does it cost anyone anything to share their knowledge?
I personally am always happy to share my knowledge, and I have never thought of asking the person seeking to benefit from it whether he's a serious aficionado or not. IMHO, it's totally irrelevant. Helping others, be they total strangers or not, is much more important.
Just my two cents.
David

JimJupiter · Feb 10, 2025

You are a new user and ask for a value. In 99% these are questions by guys, who want to sell these watches as fast as possible. Why should we spent our time helping them to maximize their profit? My time is limited to and as much as I love to help (and I really do), I would rather help a guy who is really interested in the hobby.

Thats why, most of the people here are suspicious when someone asks for a price, without doing their homework. I bet its the same for rare books 😉

Nico

Edit: Btw lovely watch and I understand why you want to have it! 😀

Davidt · Feb 10, 2025

The value of these lesser seen references is largely subjective as not enough change hands to determine an accurate market value, unless the specific watch is offered in an open auction. It’s either down to the seller or buyer to decide the price they’re comfortable with and go from there.

I’d generally say unless it has good bones, a barn find watch with issues is worth around 1/3 to 1/2 the value of a good original example.
With this watch the case clearly has issues, the bezel insert is missing and the dial, while appearing original hasn’t aged to the pleasing patina some exhibit. The hands also need attention.

I’m not up on the values of these but a quick search of this forum reveals another 2913 “with issues” was listed and sold a few years ago with an asking price of $3900. It looks like that had had the bezel work already completed but had a service dial, so you could argue yours is worth more. Prices have generally increased since 2019 when the other watch sold.

As I said, im not an expert on these models but $3500-4000 seems a decent buy to me. You’ve got to decide if it seems decent to you based on sold prices of other examples you can find.

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

calalum
Can you get some good pictures of the dial without the crystal so we can take a look at the condition? The watch is obviously pretty rough. Without seeing any recent sales and considering the various issues I would think without better pictures my top dollar would probably be $3000. If you can get comfortable with some of those other issues, maybe $4000. Just my opinion. Good luck either way.

Thanks for the informative and helpful response.
The owner was kind enough to leave the watch with me so I can take additional photos of it, but he did not allow me to remove or polish the crystal. I realize that the crystal's condition affects the quality of the images I can take of the dial, but for now that is the situation.
I tend to agree with your suggestion re value, ie to make an offer circa $3,000 and perhaps go a bit higher as part of the negotiation process.
Yesterday I found a watch in generally similar (= rough) condition that sold a couple of months ago on eBay for $4K and change (item #387638180089, located in Venezuela).
This eBay selling price is in the ballpark of what you suggested, and the Venezuelan watch was perhaps in even worse condition than the one I was offered: The hands had no lume, the dial looked a tad iffy color-wise, the crown was non-original and the caseback engraving was the more common and thus perhaps slightly less desirable design (with 'Waterproof' around the circumference and 'Seamaster' below the Hippocampus).
This can possibly imply that the watch I was offered is worth somewhat more than the example that sold on eBay.
Thanks again, calalum. I appreciate your input. It gives me a valuation direction I was lacking yesterday.
David

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

JimJupiter
You are a new user and ask for a value. In 99% these are questions by guys, who want to sell these watches as fast as possible. Why should we spent our time helping them to maximize their profit? My time is limited to and as much as I love to help (and I really do), I would rather help a guy who is really interested in the hobby.

Thats why, most of the people here are suspicious when someone asks for a price, without doing their homework. I bet its the same for rare books 😉

Nico

Edit: Btw lovely watch and I understand why you want to have it! 😀

Thanks, Nico.
Personally I couldn't care less why someone posts a question to an online forum. They are asking for assistance and I for one am happy to assist, even if it is to help someone who wants to earn a living and put food on their family's table by "selling [whatever] as fast as possible" and/or "maximizing their profit."
So what?
But I understand that you feel differently about the matter.
BTW, I question how you can discern whether you are helping "a guy who is really interested in the hobby," or not.
Or how you can ascertain whether someone has "done their homework," or not.
Is it a gut feeling kind of thing? Because if that's the case, in my case your gut misled you.
I am not a new user on OF. In one month I'll be celebrating my 10th-year anniversary since first registering for this forum.
I post very infrequently but that is besides the point. I spend quite a lot of time browsing it and reading threads and posts.
The fact that I prefer to do so in the background is irrelevant.
What is relevant is that I am a long-standing member here. Even longer than yourself.
Have a great day,
David
PS It's definitely NOT the case for rare books.

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

Davidt
The value of these lesser seen references is largely subjective as not enough change hands to determine an accurate market value, unless the specific watch is offered in an open auction. It’s either down to the seller or buyer to decide the price they’re comfortable with and go from there.

I’d generally say unless it has good bones, a barn find watch with issues is worth around 1/3 to 1/2 the value of a good original example.
With this watch the case clearly has issues, the bezel insert is missing and the dial, while appearing original hasn’t aged to the pleasing patina some exhibit. The hands also need attention.

I’m not up on the values of these but a quick search of this forum reveals another 2913 “with issues” was listed and sold a few years ago with an asking price of $3900. It looks like that had had the bezel work already completed but had a service dial, so you could argue yours is worth more. Prices have generally increased since 2019 when the other watch sold.

As I said, im not an expert on these models but $3500-4000 seems a decent buy to me. You’ve got to decide if it seems decent to you based on sold prices of other examples you can find.

Thanks a lot for the detailed and helpful response, Davidt. I appreciate the informative input.
BTW, is the current consensus still true that vintage Omega prices have increased since 2019?
My perspective is that vintage watch prices ballooned a few years ago and over the past couple of years have started retreating back towards their starting point before the rise.
I don't know where that leaves current prices compared to 2019. Specifically, in reference to the 2913.
Thanks again, sincerely.
David

hansaboy · Feb 10, 2025

Here is a 2913-2, you can compare, and also see the big difference regarding condition....

not my watch (but i wish....!)
😉

Dan S · Feb 10, 2025

DavidG
I am not a new user on OF. In one month I'll be celebrating my 10th-year anniversary since first registering for this forum.
I post very infrequently but that is besides the point. I spend quite a lot of time browsing it and reading threads and posts.
The fact that I prefer to do so in the background is irrelevant.
What is relevant is that I am a long-standing member here. Even longer than yourself.

I think that either you don't understand the meaning of the word "irrelevant," or you have badly misread the room. You are describing the behavior of a parasite, compared to Nico who regularly shares his unparalleled Enicar expertise.

calalum · Feb 10, 2025

Not sure how helpful Hansaboy's beauty is as a comparison point but I believe that the 2913-2 has a count down bezel insert and a 2913-3 has a count up, if you end up needing one.

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

hansaboy
Here is a 2913-2, you can compare, and also see the big difference regarding condition....

not my watch (but i wish....!)
😉

Wow... I've come across a few beautiful 2913s whilst researching the one I was offered, and this is definitely one of those.

hansaboy
Here is a 2913-2, you can compare, and also see the big difference regarding condition....

not my watch (but i wish....!)
😉

Wow... I've come across a few beautiful 2913s whilst researching the one I was offered, and this is definitely one of those.
Thanks for sharing and I hope your wish comes true.

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

calalum
Not sure how helpful Hansaboy's beauty is as a comparison point but I believe that the 2913-2 has a count down bezel insert and a 2913-3 has a count up, if you end up needing one.

Thanks for the insight, calalum.
You are right that the 2913-2 had a countdown bezel insert, however the 2913-3 could have either type. (The 2913-4 and up all had count up bezel inserts.)
The accepted wisdom isn't clear-cut as there are various sources online which state that the 2913-3 came with one type, or the other, or both.
Having seen a number of 2913-3s over the years and especially when researching this one, I have come to the conclusion that either type of bezel insert could be correct for the 2913-3.
In fact of the all-original 2913-3s I have seen, the majority actually had countdown bezel inserts.
My take is that it was during the 2913-3 period that Omega started transitioning from the countdown insert to the count up one. (This claim is corroborated somewhat by the fact that all 2913-1s and 2913-2s come with the countdown version, the 2913-3 comes with both, and all 2913-4s and up to the 2913-8 had the count up version.)
If this is the case, it stands to reason that the earlier 2913-3s had the countdown insert and the later ones had the count up type.
Given that the movement serial number of the watch I was shown is one of the lowest I have ever seen in a 2913 (#15693XXX), if I had to place a bet my money would be on the option that this watch was one of the earlier ones produced during the 2913-3 period and as such it would most likely have had a countdown bezel.
David

DavidG · Feb 10, 2025

Dan S
I think that either you don't understand the meaning of the word "irrelevant," or you have badly misread the room. You are describing the behavior of a parasite, compared to Nico who regularly shares his unparalleled Enicar expertise.

Sorry, I lost you at "parasite"...
In no way did I mean to imply anyone here was a parasite. If that's what came across from what I wrote, my apologies, to Nico, you, or anyone else who took offence.
Or, you were implying that it's me who's the parasite?
The bottom line is that I personally have no problem assisting people who come to a forum asking for help, regardless of whether or not they are regular contributors or not.
However, from this discussion I have come to understand that others in this specific room feel differently. Which is fine.
I thank in advance anyone who chooses to give a meaningful response to the question I asked in my initial post.
David

Would appreciate advice re this SM300 CK2913/3 I am thinking of buying

DavidG

Dan S

Davidt

sheepdoll

DavidG

DavidG

SOG53

calalum

DavidG

JimJupiter

Davidt

DavidG

DavidG

DavidG

hansaboy

Dan S

calalum

DavidG

DavidG

DavidG

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