60th Birthday Present - older Omega?

[GreatGranny]

My 60th next March and retirement and I'm thinking of a nice watch as a treat.

Budget £500 and a very nice Omega DeVille 1980/81 appeared on a post by Barchettaman's SOTC post 2024.

I've searched on Ebay and there are quite a few on there.

eg.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116401334183?_skw=omega...

I've read on here that Ebay authenticates privately sold watches before sending to the buyer.
So a safe place to buy from?
Also that watches from Japan can be of better value than ones sourced from the UK.

Just don't want to get ripped off.

Any pointers and advice appreciated.

[gregs656]

Buying vintage watches is a bit of a minefield. I wouldn't rely on eBay authentication on vintage, and I don't think 500 meets the threshold for authentication in any case.

I would google for reputable vintage dealers.

[GreatGranny]

gregs656 said:

Buying vintage watches is a bit of a minefield. I wouldn't rely on eBay authentication on vintage, and I don't think 500 meets the threshold for authentication in any case.

I would google for reputable vintage dealers.

OK thanks.

A safer option would just to buy something new I suppose.

I've been looking at the Moonswatch.
https://www.swatch.com/en-gb/bioceramic-moonswatch...
Not as dressy as I want. Could you change the strap to a metal one?

[gregs656]

I don't think a metal bracelet would suit the moonswatch.

I don't want to put you off looking at vintage, there are lots out there.

[GreatGranny]

You’re not putting me off
Think I just need to make sure I purchase a vintage from a reputable and trusted source.
The Omega like the example I posted is still top of my list.
More research required.

[JamesP110]

Definitely worth viewing a few to help make an decision There is no substitute for seeing a watch actually on your wrist.

[BrokenSkunk]

GreatGranny said:

My 60th next March and retirement and I'm thinking of a nice watch as a treat.

Budget £500 and a very nice Omega DeVille 1980/81 appeared on a post by Barchettaman's SOTC post 2024.

I've searched on Ebay and there are quite a few on there.

eg.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116401334183?_skw=omega...

I've read on here that Ebay authenticates privately sold watches before sending to the buyer.
So a safe place to buy from?
Also that watches from Japan can be of better value than ones sourced from the UK.

Just don't want to get ripped off.

Any pointers and advice appreciated.

ebay is far from a safe place to buy from.
Their authentication doesn't kick in until you spend £2K IIRC. And even then, how do they define authentic? Clearly a fake is a fake, but how about a genuine watch with a repainted dial? Or a genuine watch with the wrong movement fitted?

Many of the premium brand watches on ebay are fiddled with. The sellers polish the cases to remove scratches, but this also softens the sharp lines of the cases, the watch ends up looking like it was formed from a jelly mold.

Dials get repainted, hands replaced and movements cobbled together from many broken examples. Anything and everything is done to maximise the chance of profit, but the watch that's sold doesn't resemble anything the origianl manufacturer produced. The watch collector term for such a piece is a frankenwatch.

That said, the good news is that the watch you're after isn't currently very fashionable. So it doesn't attract as much attention from the 'tart it up and flip it' brigade as other Omegas.

The one you've linked to on ebay actually looks OK to me. I don't see any signs of fiddling. The dial and hands look original, the case looks unpolished and there are no signs of brassing. Brassing is where the gold plate wears through exposing the brass base metal case, it's usually seen at the lugs. Please examine the photos yourself, sellers are quite adept at hiding brassing with reflections and I'm extremely colourblind.

It would have been nice to see a movement photo, just to check that the interior is nice and clean.

I actually think that ebay watch is a decent example. It's probably a bit over-priced, but not by much.

I can't recommend any reputable dealers in your area, too far from my home. If you do decide to buy from ebay (or Chrono24, it's just as bad), ask here or on Omegaforums for an opinion. People are usually happy to help. We can't guarantee that the watch we recommend will be good, but we can steer you away from the obvious bad ones.

HTH.

[Gladers01]

GreatGranny said:

You’re not putting me off
Think I just need to make sure I purchase a vintage from a reputable and trusted source.
The Omega like the example I posted is still top of my list.
More research required.

I bought a blue face early 70s Omega Geneve recently and not overly expensive at £500, worth considering?

[WhiskyDisco]

Have a look at Chrono 24. This is the leading marketplace for watch collectors.

Search for New Old Stock or NOS

Edited by WhiskyDisco on Friday 20th December 13:10

[GreatGranny]

BrokenSkunk said:

very useful advice

Thanks very much for the advice.

I'll definitely check here and the Omega forum before I buy

And thanks to the other 2 posters, I'll check out a blue face early 70s Omega Geneve and have a look at Chrono 24.

Edited by GreatGranny on Friday 20th December 16:27

[Speed1283]

As suggested by others, try Omega Forum, the requirements are fairly stringent before anyone can sell and there are a lot of knowledgeable people on their that you can ask for advice upon.

I bought my 66 deville from there, a few years ago and have been very happy with it, although I did pay for a service (non omega) to be safe.

[Barchettaman]

I’m delighted you like our Omega. I should wear it more than I do but Mrs Barchetta seems to wear it fairly often (it was her grandfather’s watch)

I don’t think there’s a huge amount of demand for these 1980s quartz Omega watches so you’re bound to find a nice example sooner or later for little money.

Should you find something that catches your eye BrokenSkunk will definitely tell you in short order if it’s a good one.

In the meantime congratulations on the upcoming birthday and a very happy Christmas from Frankfurt.

[johnsmith222]

GreatGranny said:

OK thanks.

A safer option would just to buy something new I suppose.

I've been looking at the Moonswatch.
https://www.swatch.com/en-gb/bioceramic-moonswatch...
Not as dressy as I want. Could you change the strap to a metal one?

While there's nothing wrong with the moon swatch, it's definitely not something I'd consider recommending for somone as a 60th birthday present.

If I was going for something new then I'd prefer something like a Tissot PRX or Tissot Visodate for around that budget.

I have a vintage 9ct gold 60s omega which belonged to my father which I will never part with, but it needs a service. I suspect the cost of servicing will be more than the value of the watch, so something worth considering when purchasing one that doesn't have sentimental value.

[anonymous-user]

BrokenSkunk said:

ebay is far from a safe place to buy from.
Their authentication doesn't kick in until you spend £2K IIRC. And even then, how do they define authentic? Clearly a fake is a fake, but how about a genuine watch with a repainted dial? Or a genuine watch with the wrong movement fitted?

Many of the premium brand watches on ebay are fiddled with. The sellers polish the cases to remove scratches, but this also softens the sharp lines of the cases, the watch ends up looking like it was formed from a jelly mold.

Dials get repainted, hands replaced and movements cobbled together from many broken examples. Anything and everything is done to maximise the chance of profit, but the watch that's sold doesn't resemble anything the origianl manufacturer produced. The watch collector term for such a piece is a frankenwatch.

That said, the good news is that the watch you're after isn't currently very fashionable. So it doesn't attract as much attention from the 'tart it up and flip it' brigade as other Omegas.
…

A repainted dial / wrong movement / franjenwatch would fail the authentication (only applicable over £1500)


Some minor stuff is allowed:-

https://pages.ebay.co.uk/authenticity-guarantee-wa...

“ A vintage watch is eligible for the Authenticity Guarantee service, if all eligibility criteria are met. Vintage watches which are verified as authentic by the independent authenticator may contain commonly replaced aftermarket parts, such as the strap, bracelet, crystal, spring bars, or screws”

It’s a great free service anyway.

if you’re not happy with it, send it back to the authenticator & will get a no quibble refund. The seller will get their watch back too, guaranteed not to be scammed by a dodgy ‘buyer’.

[Harris_I]

johnsmith222 said:

I have a vintage 9ct gold 60s omega which belonged to my father which I will never part with, but it needs a service. I suspect the cost of servicing will be more than the value of the watch, so something worth considering when purchasing one that doesn't have sentimental value.

You might be surprised. I had my father's 1960 Seamaster sitting in a drawer for over 30 years in a very sorry state. Brendan Hoey of webwatchmaker.co.uk restored it to full health (I left the patina as is) and he was very reasonable. I've been wearing it for the past 7 years and it keeps superb time.

Unfortunately I'd read somewhere he had been unwell and his website was down so I don't know if he's still in business.

[WhiskyDisco]

Lovely looking watch.

Out of interest, if one were to purchase a watch on Chrono 24, what are the import duties payable?

I would have thought that VAT isn't due on second hand watches, but it would seem that this isn't the case. Does it vary by country of origin, or is it simply any product that enters UK?

[Speed1283]

WhiskyDisco said:

Lovely looking watch.

Out of interest, if one were to purchase a watch on Chrono 24, what are the import duties payable?

I would have thought that VAT isn't due on second hand watches, but it would seem that this isn't the case. Does it vary by country of origin, or is it simply any product that enters UK?

VAT will be due and a customs fee of 2-2.5% or thereabouts. Would have been zero before Brexit if purchasing from the EU.

[johnsmith222]

Harris_I said:

You might be surprised. I had my father's 1960 Seamaster sitting in a drawer for over 30 years in a very sorry state. Brendan Hoey of webwatchmaker.co.uk restored it to full health (I left the patina as is) and he was very reasonable. I've been wearing it for the past 7 years and it keeps superb time.

Unfortunately I'd read somewhere he had been unwell and his website was down so I don't know if he's still in business.

Thanks for the recommendation Harris! I'm definitely going to get it serviced and sounds like the sort of person I'd go to. That's great to hear your father's seamaster is doing well and hopefully I'll get round to sorting mine soon. Your watch looks fantastic!

[GreatGranny]

Thanks for the advice and recommendations.

Some lovely watches.

I'd not really thought about servicing costs having not owned a decent older watch previously.
If it's going to cost £300-500 to service it then that may put me off and going for a more modern watch instead.

How often would a 70s/80s watch need servicing?

[akirk]

this shop in bristol sells older watches, but having already serviced them and with a warranty… the prices are not that much more than some ebay prices but if you consider that it includes a service and they charge a couple of hundred for a service, suddenly the prices look quite good…

shop.hu.watch

all watches need servicing, newer ones will cost a lot more to service…