Reply With QuoteSeamaster, Constellation, Constellation-C, Speedmaster Professional Mark II
A late night and inability to get to sleep led me to waste a couple of hours last night on eBay - browsing through a MASSIVE list of watches after searching for "vintage mechanical watch".
There are some really cheap and fun watches to be found. No doubt many on there are rubbish.. but at <£100 there are a few that I'd take a punt on.
What DID strike me, was how lovely some of the old Omega Seamasters and Geneve models were. I've never paid them attention before but on a nice brown leather strap, the soft gold coloured dials have great character to them. Prices however, fluctuated to the point that I don't know what one should cost! I suspect some of those listed on eBay are on their last legs and in need of work.
So.... those of you who own a lovely old 60's onwards Omega - please show me! I particularly like the look the models with extra sub dials (at 6 in particular).
What sort of ballpark money are we talking about for one in good condition?
Here's Mine
Seamaster, Constellation, Constellation-C, Speedmaster Professional Mark II
Lovely collection! I particularly like the Seamaster and Constellation. Funny how similar those two are - yet today's models are very much in their own niche.
I`ll dig a couple of pics out later.....I've got a 'few'!
A word of caution: there are lots of old Omegas out there and the temptation to take a 'punt' on the cheaper stuff is understandable. However, it's probably the worst way to approach this. That cheap watch at £100 could well be a franken, or be in very poor condition. Omega movements are now selling at over £100 and some of these old watches are only fit for parts.
Just got one on the bench at the moment, it's got great sentimental value to the owner so the cost side isn`t too much of a worry. However, factor in a replacement crystal, the cost of refinishing the dial, a new crown and pendant tube, plus a few movement parts........and the cost starts climbing sharply. This one's a 1959 cal 501 (not my favourite) which is prone to breakage of the rotor post and wear in the rotor bush. Thankfully this one's OK, but it's not unusual to find they're not! If someone had bought this watch for (say) £250 they'd be looking to spend more than that to get it into top condition, so it ceases to be a £250 watch......think more like £550.
The problems with Omega parts supply is well-known, I won`t go over it again. Suffice to say it's getting harder to source the right parts, especially hands and crowns. Generic crystals and mainsprings are fine, but things like spring barrels and rotor bushes are getting difficult and expensive. The situation was a whole lot healthier 3 years ago, nowadays it's becoming a bit of a minefield for buyers. Basically, here's no such thing as a £100 bargain Omega any longer........but there are plenty of Omega moneypit watches around!
I don`t bother trying to buy old Omegas for restoration any longer, the numbers just don`t work in most cases unless I open a shop on Burlington Arcade.
Paul
Last edited by walkerwek1958; 5th October 2016 at 17:27.
Some current and previously owned ones...
Probably old enough to qualify :
Definitely so....:
M
Thanks Paul - great info as ever.
I didn't word that original post very well! - I was doing a general (non brand specific) search on eBay and there were some old NOS watches <£100 - stuff like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1319310395...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Never heard of many of the old brands - and for £50-75 those seem a bit of fun.
The Omegas - well, anything with a sniff of a service seems to be in the £400+ mark. As you say though, you could easily double your costs once it grinds to a halt.
EDIT: I just need to get on with buying a mint Datejust like 've been deliberating over - instead of spending "acceptable" amounts on other things!
Freshly arrived .... still need to figure out what's inside and what it is, but probably a ref 2937 I've been told.
Snowman, the one you first posted is really cool with that yellow lining and textured silver dial!
Best regards,
S
Last edited by Plume; 5th October 2016 at 17:40.
Just one for me, been in the family from new
Oh.. that's lovely! Any idea what year/age it is?Originally Posted by japester
Just one for me, been in the family from new
I agree the black is really suiting!
I went through a similar thought process and have tried a couple of buys. Maybe not Omega but you can get that 'soft golden dial' feel in a reliable Swiss vintage watch for less than £100. Gold plated, applied numerals, loses 20s a day so acceptable for occasional wear:
I'll work my way up to an Omega when I've learned a bit more. Have fun!
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I know the Great White is a cheat but it's almost vintage
I bet i cant find one like that for £100Just one for me, been in the family from new
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Conny
Longines
I have a few...
The only one's that get any use are the speedy by me ad the gold De Ville by my fiancée. They are fantastic watches and I like just winding them up and looking at them(sad I know!). Should really move some on and buy something else. Good luck on your hunt.
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Hi Johnny, I believe it was manufactured in 1954 according to the serial.
Omega Deville Cal.565
One from the 30s
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Heres a movement shot Brendan took when it was in for serviceI bet i cant find one like that for £100
My eBay Ω:
seller's photo...not mine
Post-1860s OK?
Unusually, it has a 41mm case excl. crown, which makes it easily read. Bit of a bitsa though - pocket watch movement apparently, from 1915ish. Any expert info would be greatly appreciated.
Last edited by unclealec; 5th October 2016 at 21:01.
1964 Ed White Speedmaster (Birth Year watch)
Ooh, I do like that Conny.Conny
Here's my Seamaster (cal 565) from 1970
Omega Seamaster F300 Blue dial 70s (not my pictures, these are the sellers pictures, it is still in this condition)
Where are the best places to look at buying some of these watches? Some of them look great
A couple for me - MKII
And a Seamaster
Nice "6B/ 159".... is it the issued one, or the civilian version?I have a few...
And I really like this trench watch too:
Last edited by Plume; 5th October 2016 at 21:23.
WOW! Thanks to all who've posted up pics. What a selection... I was going to start quoting and replying - but no, they're ALL lovely examples. Very nice indeed!
Here's one of mine that's awaiting some TLC.....a bit of refinishing work and a service then it'll be near-mint.
Same watch on a slightly fake bracelet with end pieces modified to suit........clasp is stamped 1289/249 and that's definitely wrong! Looks nice, I¬m happy with it.
A real favourite of mine.....166.032 case ref with original bracelet. Bracelet's as rare as the proverbial hen's teeth
That's all for now, photobucket's so bllody slow I`ll be here call night uploading the rest
Paul
A couple for me - MKII
that's the one for me.
...seem to have more than my fair share...
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M
Some lovely examples above.
Just the one vintage for me.
For bricks and mortar - Austin Kaye on the strand . Very good selection but they price higher. However if it's a keeper maybe not so much of an issue, otherwise I like Chrono 24
Love the flight-Master just too big for my wee wrists! Nice watch.Some lovely examples above.
Just the one vintage for me.
M
Surely this qualifies.
Ah the Connie!
Last edited by Dr.Sascha; 6th October 2016 at 13:48.
and on the left a piepan
Got a few here.
If you want to see the Speedmasters etc click on the link in my sig.
Cheers,
Neil.
I`m currently on the lookout for a gold Seamaster Deville from the 60s..........someone must have one they're willing to sell!
Paul
1975 Speedmaster ref 176.015 I believe
Was waiting for you to post on this thread Neil :) excellent collection, I once had one like the above, but I've sold off most of my old Omegas over the yearsGot a few here.
If you want to see the Speedmasters etc click on the link in my sig.
Here's another of mine, 18ct cal 501 (not my favourite movement!), circa1960. Black dial's refinished, which puts some folks off.......looks stunning on the wrist! Another one that ideally needs a service and a bit of TLC
18ct pie-pan Constellation, 1962. Bought from Mike Wood several years back......when I made an offer below asking price Mike gave the most polite decline I`ve ever heard! Needless to say I didn`t haggle
1950 14ct rose gold Seamaster bumper auto, bought in 1996. Finally restored it to exactly the right condition last year. Dial refinished to get the rose gold correct, genuine Omega NOS handset, serviced, running like a good 'un, and waterproof to 3 bar!
Bought this one 10yrs ago for £90 off ebay . Seller was in Athens. I`ve fully refinished it, replaced the glass and crown. another one that could use a service. The gold links in the bracelet are solid 18ct, as is the bezel. A real 70s watch, on my wrist at the moment. Love it or loathe it, it's unusual!
Here's the 166.032 after refinishing. Circa 1969, larger than most vintage watches at around 36.5mm exc crown. Must get it back on the bracelet.
That's all for now!
Paul
Some fabulous watches and collections already. My single one which makes me smile when it's occasionally worn ...
I have no need of a dress watch but the 18ct 1962 pie-pan above would be it, perfect.
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