[drumbassrockroll]

Hello All. I joined up because I've been looking to get some advice or pointers on buying my first antique Omega watch. I'm looking to buy a 1960's seamaster or constellation and have been looking at watches on and off for many months now, mostly on ebay.

There is one seller who seems to have a constant supply of these watches and I was wondering if anyone had an explanation as to why this seller (

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/whitelotus24in/ ) has access to such a large collection of antique watches?

In this thread ( https://www.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=124162&highlight=whitelotus24in ) Niel(UK) commented that they produced 'redialled old tat' - what does this mean exactly?

They are based in India, (have a lot of really good feedback) yet seem to have an unlimited supply of high end swiss watches. Does anyone know how so many quality European watches end up in the subcontinent?

Can anyone give me a ballpark figure of what I can expect to pay for such a watch (reasonable quality / serviced / not replica). I would really like a constellation, but would buy a seamaster if one came up that I really liked the look of.

I will keep checking the sellers board on this forum as I would much rather buy from a forum, even though there is no feedback system, there is a stronger sense of community and you can learn much more about who you are buying from than on ebay.

Sorry if you have to field a lot of questions like this, I know it must be frustrating, but I have had a good search. If anyone has such a watch that they would like to get rid of then I'm your guy! (this watches in this site's opening page has exactly the kind of aesthitic I'm after http://www.freewebs.com/omegauk/ )

Thanks

 

[2premo]

an important question to ask is are you buying to collect or just wear, if you plan to just wear it do you plan to swim with it
if you are collecting typically avoid redialed watches as they lose something about authenticity when you do
if you plan to just wear it choose your case material, i.e. gold, stainless, pick a dial color here it could be OK to get a redial, do you want a strap or bracelet, do you mind winding it or do you want an automatic wind, how about date and day feature
if you plan to swim with it I recommend a dive watch

consider a few things and maybe the forum could guide you to a watch you would enjoy and wear with pride

 

[mrsnak]

Sorry if you have to field a lot of questions like this, I know it must be frustrating, but I have had a good search. If anyone has such a watch that they would like to get rid of then I'm your guy! (this watches in this site's opening page has exactly the kind of aesthitic I'm after http://www.freewebs.com/omegauk/ )

Thanks

Not frustrating for me, I just won't answer most of them. ;-)

Well, that page features one of the most faked and frankened of all the Omegas. :-d
If you want a vintage Seamaster 300, you need to buckle down and learn about them so you can make a good decision.

Hone in on the model you want, then pose a question or two. There are some good reference sites, but they tend to be specific for model.
This is a pretty knowledgeable board, but specifics are needed.

Pretty soon, you'll be able to chime in and help the next new guy.

 

[mondodec]

Tat is a specialist horological term that is usually applied as a substitute for other more descriptive watchmaking terms, like crap or "useless piece of sh..t.":-d

Neil's use of the term as it relates to that seller is laced with typical British subtlety . Hell knows where they get their supplies of raw materials, but franken concoctions (watches put together from various other watches) and pieces that have had only the most superficial of overhauls appear to be their staple. They often have refinished dial in their watches, and the standard of refinishing isnt all that hot.

That is not to say that, every now and again, they don't come up with a decent watch, but the averages lean the other way.

I've seen a lot of people get into collecting or buy a vintage watch over the years, and the most astute new entrant seems to be the one who does an awful lot of looking and learning before they touch their wallet. Your first purchase of a vintage needs to be well-informed, because there's no greater tragedy that being taken to the cleaners just as your interest in vintage watches is taking root.

Cheers

Desmond

http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/

 

[GinGinD]

Here's a thread from the vintage forum that might be of interest to you reference what some of the vintage collectors here look for when buying a watch.

https://www.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=249694

Jeannie

 

[drumbassrockroll]

All, thanks for your helpful replies.

mondodec - your site is a fantastic resource, I have been reading some of your essays with great interest. I will really research what I want before buying. I am Scottish so I could tell that he was being subtle, but didn't really know what 'redialing' means. I now do. I am not in a hurry to buy. As I said I have been interested in getting an Omega of this vintage on and off for years now and finally am going to do something about it so I can wait until I know what I want. Do you know of any good watch stores in Scotland where I could see some of these watches in person? Pics on the net are good but no substitute for handling. I will continue reading your site but if I say I am looking for a Mens, black face, leather strap, large face (but not too large, I have 6 1/4" wrists), non pie pan, non date/day feature - could you point me towards a particular year range / series? (I will compromise on any point except the strap)

2premo - With regard to the questions raised earlier I do hope to wear the watch, regularly and so would prefer an automatic watch, although if I found the right watch and it needed winding I could live with that. I will not be swimming with the watch. I would want a leather strap on the watch, and don't mind if it's not original. As for the dial being refinished, it doesn't mean a huge amount to me if has been touched up slightly (painted), I would rather not have on that has parts from other watches cobbled together and will avoid buying through ebay for that reason. I would prefer a black dial, but I understand these are much rarer than other colors so may need to compromise on that too.

You seem to have a great community here, so I hope to learn a lot, I just spent an hour reading the back and forth on the James Bond watch thread(s) - very entertaining

 

[mondodec]

Thanks for your kind words.

As you said, black dials are rare if theyre original and people pay a premium for them. Trouble with refinished dials is that while they may initially sell at good prices, re-sale often suffers.

With a 6 1/2 inch wrist, 34 - 35 mm watches may well suit. One option would be to aim for an Omega that was powered by a calibre 55x (either 550, 551 0r 552) These were one of the best production movements ever made.

I wouldnt entirely discount eBay as some good watches come up. But you have to be careful. For example, and I'm not touting here this watch is refinished and cal a cal 552. This particular seller has a good refinishing house that does his dials. So on occasions you can follow the seller as well as look for specific models.

Don't know any particular retailers in Scotland some of the Scotts who contribute to this forum may be able to tell you. Mind, bricks and mortar dealers are usually more expensive. Another option is on sales forum like the watchuseek sales forum.

Good luck in your search!

Cheers

Desmond

All, thanks for your helpful replies.

mondodec - your site is a fantastic resource, I have been reading some of your essays with great interest. I will really research what I want before buying. I am Scottish so I could tell that he was being subtle, but didn't really know what 'redialing' means. I now do. I am not in a hurry to buy. As I said I have been interested in getting an Omega of this vintage on and off for years now and finally am going to do something about it so I can wait until I know what I want. Do you know of any good watch stores in Scotland where I could see some of these watches in person? Pics on the net are good but no substitute for handling. I will continue reading your site but if I say I am looking for a Mens, black face, leather strap, large face (but not too large, I have 6 1/4" wrists), non pie pan, non date/day feature - could you point me towards a particular year range / series? (I will compromise on any point except the strap)

2premo - With regard to the questions raised earlier I do hope to wear the watch, regularly and so would prefer an automatic watch, although if I found the right watch and it needed winding I could live with that. I will not be swimming with the watch. I would want a leather strap on the watch, and don't mind if it's not original. As for the dial being refinished, it doesn't mean a huge amount to me if has been touched up slightly (painted), I would rather not have on that has parts from other watches cobbled together and will avoid buying through ebay for that reason. I would prefer a black dial, but I understand these are much rarer than other colors so may need to compromise on that too.

You seem to have a great community here, so I hope to learn a lot, I just spent an hour reading the back and forth on the James Bond watch thread(s) - very entertaining