Looking for a used omega

Airrealman · November 2011

Hey guys, I've been contemplating making the jump to an omega watch. I really want to wear it often so dont want to spend the money to buy new. If anyone is looking to sell an old watch or know of a good website (that is reliable) where they sell used, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!

maxximus · November 2011

eBay has quite the selection of the Omega that you seek.

Martin Aston · November 2011

I have several Tag watches that I want to sell in order to buy a used Omega watch. Are there any trusted sellers on eBay that anyone can recommend. Also looking at the Brosnan era Omegas are there any specific models to go for or to avoid?

Sorry for hijacking this thread.

nms75 · November 2011

Guys while I am not for one minute saying all eBayer sellers cannot be trusted (one would hope the majority can) I would strongly suggest getting one from a reputable jeweller if you are going to spend that kind of hard earned cash. This way if there are any issues you will hopefully have a far greater chance of getting it sorted or your money back - remember if its second-hand you don't know where it has been or what is has gone through!

In the UK there are a number of jewellers/dealers who sell pre-owned Omegas and offer some kind of guarantee or money back for a period. Have a good look on Google and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. I can't speak for the USA or other countries but no doubt they have such places too.

To get you started here is one jewellers I have dealt with in the past: http://www.parkersjewellers.co.uk/

Another option might be a trusted AJB member who has one to sell.

Good luck and when you get your watches I hope you enjoy wearing them in good health.

NMS

Wilde · November 2011

nms75 wrote:

Guys while I am not for one minute saying all eBayer sellers cannot be trusted (one would hope the majority can) I would strongly suggest getting one from a reputable jeweller if you are going to spend that kind of hard earned cash. This way if there are any issues you will hopefully have a far greater chance of getting it sorted or your money back - remember if its second-hand you don't know where it has been or what is has gone through!

In the UK there are a number of jewellers/dealers who sell pre-owned Omegas and offer some kind of guarantee or money back for a period. Have a good look on Google and you shouldn't have too much trouble finding one. I can't speak for the USA or other countries but no doubt they have such places too.

To get you started here is one jewellers I have dealt with in the past: http://www.parkersjewellers.co.uk/

Another option might be a trusted AJB member who has one to sell.

Good luck and when you get your watches I hope you enjoy wearing them in good health.

NMS

Totally agree. I personally never pay out for anything valuable unless I can see it first and more importantly, have someone to visit if it goes moody. Don't be led astray by low prices, save up a little more and go to a reputable dealer. You pay their mark-up, but you get that peace of mind.

Regards,
Wilde. -{

Airrealman · November 2011

Thanks for the input! There are so many red flags all over the Internet and jewllary stores that say the same thing about knockoff omegas, mayb I'm best to wait for one to pop up here

welshboy78 · November 2011

What you after quartz or automatic??

I bought a used Onega Seamaster (Casino Royale model - co-axial). I paid £1150 on a UK watch forum. Quartz considerably cheaper used obviously

Airrealman · November 2011

Either or I suppose, I get easily confused by omegas four digit code. I ve been complain a bunch to the one listed on bond lifestyle.com but they are different despite being claimed James bond. Do different sizes have different codes fr the same style?

welshboy78 · November 2011

Yes I believe every single watch has a different code!! Can get a little confusing as many different Seamasters!! I decided which movie watch I wanted, researched what model it was and then hunted for it! -{

toutbrun · November 2011

welshboy78 wrote:

What you after quartz or automatic??

I bought a used Onega Seamaster (Casino Royale model - co-axial). I paid £1150 on a UK watch forum. Quartz considerably cheaper used obviously

If you even consider buying a Quartz watch, especially at these kind of prices, you are mental. Even the automatics are generic ETA movements packaged with ad campaigns. But quartz? Completely worthless.

Rainier Wolfcastle · November 2011

Airrealman wrote:

Either or I suppose, I get easily confused by omegas four digit code. I ve been complain a bunch to the one listed on bond lifestyle.com but they are different despite being claimed James bond. Do different sizes have different codes fr the same style?

Yes, of course different sizes have different codes. If you would need a spare part for a mid-size watch it wouldn't be very clever if all sizes had the same article number.

Brosnan and Craig only wore full-size watches on the screen, but the mid-size or lady Seamasters in the same style are also often described as "James Bond watch".

If you only want one that is exactly the same as worn on the screen you have the Brosnan-era full-size quartz 2541(.80.00) (the last four digits are the same for all Bond versions of this Seamaster generation, the 5th digit 8 is "blue bezel") from GoldenEye, and the full-size automatic 2531 worn in TND, TWINE and DAD. Mid-size versions have codes 2561 (quartz) and 2551.
There was also the 40th anniversary limited edition (10,007 pieces in a special blue box with gunbarrel logo), only available as full-size automatic (2537) which has 007 logos instead of the standard Seamaster dial.

Craig wore the 2220 Co-Axial version in CR which looks the same except the red Seamaster script. Again, a 10,007 limited edition (2226) was available, this time with the gunbarrel as the background.

As you want a used one anyway, I leave the newer versions as to not make things too complicated.

Just a few buying tips: I wouldn't rule out Ebay too soon. There are good deals out there but one has to be careful. I would only buy a watch that is boxed and with the correct cards corresponding to the watch number. Photos of the laser-engraved watch number and guarantee card should be provided by the seller. Beware of sellers who provide only one, often blurred picture or an Omega press release photo or state in the description "sorry, no box or papers as this was a present".
I don't think that all unboxed watches are fakes (in fact many of the fakes come in equally fake boxes with fake tags and cards, or in separately obtained genuine boxes) but it's likely that the watch has been better taken care of by the previous owner if he has kept the original box and papers.

As for quartz vs automatic: Some snobs in their Tom Ford cardigans will probably look down at a quartz Seamaster or Omega watches in general, but the 2541 is a proper screen-used Bond watch, and it is both cheaper and more accurate while looking equally superb - so if you want to wear it daily it is not a bad alternative.

Edit: "dial" instead of "bezel".
And two links for more info on details and spotting a fake:
http://www.chronocentric.com/omega/seamaster.shtml
http://www.pmwf.com/Watches/ARTICLES/TwoOmegaSeamaster/A%20real%20and%20a%20fake%20Omega%20compared.htm

Professor Dent · November 2011

Quartz or automatic is strictly a personal preference. One thing to be aware of is the automatic watches will require maintenance at regular intervals (about every 5 years) to keep them running properly. The service is not cheap. It runs around $400 US. Also, depending on how you wear an automatic, the quartz will likely be more accurate.

I would think of this an an investment & make your decision accordingly. Rainier gave some great tips in his post. It is buyer beware so, from whomever you choose to buy, make sure you are getting the real thing. Happy hunting. -{

nms75 · November 2011

All I will add is go for the automatic rather than the quartz. Yes the autos are more expensive and yes they need a costly service every few years bt would you really want to pay that kind of cash for a quartz??? Also if you later decided to sell it (to help fund a future Bond watch maybe?) you will get more for you auto than the quartz.

I have had three Omega Seamasters and two Rolex watches and would never now have a quartz.

Just my personal opinion of course...

NMS

Airrealman · November 2011

Thanks all, at risk of sounding like a noob, what is the difference between quartz and automatic?

welshboy78 · November 2011

Quartz = battery

minigeff · November 2011

Airrealman wrote:

Thanks all, at risk of sounding like a noob, what is the difference between quartz and automatic?

To elaborate a little further, a quartz watch is powered by a battery, this sends a tiny current through a quartz crystal which resonates at a set frequency, the resonations are counted by a microprocessor and this is how the watch counts each second, by counting the freq. of the crystal. I think that's right as I've dragged that out of my memory. It's either that or small magical pixies push the second hand round every time the battery fires a shock through their balls.

An automatic winds itself, by using a weighted disk in the rear of the mechanism to wind up the mainspring by using a ratchet mech.

The latest co-axial movements are stunning and very accurate.

I've got the TND - DAD era seamy but in the mid size as the full size would look daft on my wrist. Being the automatic/professional version the servicing costs more but it's also classed as a chronometer, (not a chronograph that's the ones with the little stopwatch dials) meaning that it's 99.99% accurate, ie it'll loose no less than 8secs in about a years service.

Oh and people on here saying they save theirs for special occasions? Well I wear mine all day every day, only time I take it off is when I'm working with chemicals, fine powders or having a shower. Other than that I wear it whilst using machines, in all weathers, in busy environments and in all sorts of hazardous places. I figure that if I break it, it can be fixed, and I'm not gonna pay over a grand for a watch that sits in its box only to come out for christmas dinner.

nms75 · November 2011

I agree with MG! I wear both my Rolex watches all the time (not both at the same time though) to work and when I go out etc. I rarely do not have one on my wrist and only make the decision not to wear one if I am doing something that I know there is a good change they could get damaged. Why pay 1000s for something that comes out only once in a while? That would be daft...

NMS

Higgins · November 2011

minigeff wrote:

To elaborate a little further, a quartz watch is powered by a battery, this sends a tiny current through a quartz crystal which resonates at a set frequency, the resonations are counted by a microprocessor and this is how the watch counts each second, by counting the freq. of the crystal. I think that's right as I've dragged that out of my memory. It's either that or small magical pixies push the second hand round every time the battery fires a shock through their balls.

32768 Hz to be precise... :v

minigeff wrote:

An automatic winds itself, by using a weighted disk in the rear of the mechanism to wind up the mainspring by using a ratchet mech.

Half disk to be precise

Donald Grant · November 2011

I suppose I'm a snob then, because I prefer automatic watches to quartz watches. However the Royal Navy has for a while issued watches with quartz movements. I believe this has to do with accuracy. But I've often wondered what would happen if an SBS operative were deployed on a mission and all of a sudden the battery on his CWC SBS dive watch sh*t the bed. In a perfect world the tell tale signs of the seconds hand would alert the operative to the needed battery change, but what if it didn't and the battery just died? With an automatic you wouldn't have that problem. Anyway, of late, I've been wearing my Bond Omegas again and my DAD era purchased Seamaster has been on my wrist since last Wednesday.

DG

minigeff · November 2011

Bondtoys wrote:

minigeff wrote:

An automatic winds itself, by using a weighted disk in the rear of the mechanism to wind up the mainspring by using a ratchet mech.

Half disk to be precise

you mean a two dimensional semi-hemispherical elipse in pressed stainless steel?

Rainier Wolfcastle · November 2011

minigeff wrote:

Being the automatic/professional version the servicing costs more but it's also classed as a chronometer, (not a chronograph that's the ones with the little stopwatch dials) meaning that it's 99.99% accurate, ie it'll loose no less than 8secs in about a years service.

99.99% accuracy means more than 8 seconds off per day ... Vou have a mechanical watch which keeps time within 8 seconds a year? Sorry, I don't think so. COSC chronometer certification allows +4/-6 seconds per day (if I recall correctly, don't quote me here) which is probably 20 times as much as a good quartz watch. Still, I understand the fascination with the intricate mechanics of a mechanical watch. I just don't see a quartz watch as "inferior" as the primary job of a watch should be to show the time as precisely as possible.

Donald Grant wrote:

I suppose I'm a snob then, because I prefer automatic watches to quartz watches. However the Royal Navy has for a while issued watches with quartz movements. I believe this has to do with accuracy. But I've often wondered what would happen if an SBS operative were deployed on a mission and all of a sudden the battery on his CWC SBS dive watch sh*t the bed. In a perfect world the tell tale signs of the seconds hand would alert the operative to the needed battery change, but what if it didn't and the battery just died? With an automatic you wouldn't have that problem.

I could imagine that the Royal Navy or MI6 have the financial background to change a watch battery once a year, regardless if it is necessary or not (a watch battery should work two to three years). If battery-powered equipment would cause such headaches then soldiers or agents should not be allowed to use stuff like mobile phones, satellite navigation, laptops etc.

Donald Grant · November 2011

Rainier Wolfcastle wrote:

minigeff wrote:

Being the automatic/professional version the servicing costs more but it's also classed as a chronometer, (not a chronograph that's the ones with the little stopwatch dials) meaning that it's 99.99% accurate, ie it'll loose no less than 8secs in about a years service.

99.99% accuracy means more than 8 seconds off per day ... Vou have a mechanical watch which keeps time within 8 seconds a year? Sorry, I don't think so. COSC chronometer certification allows +4/-6 seconds per day (if I recall correctly, don't quote me here) which is probably 20 times as much as a good quartz watch. Still, I understand the fascination with the intricate mechanics of a mechanical watch. I just don't see a quartz watch as "inferior" as the primary job of a watch should be to show the time as precisely as possible.

Donald Grant wrote:

I suppose I'm a snob then, because I prefer automatic watches to quartz watches. However the Royal Navy has for a while issued watches with quartz movements. I believe this has to do with accuracy. But I've often wondered what would happen if an SBS operative were deployed on a mission and all of a sudden the battery on his CWC SBS dive watch sh*t the bed. In a perfect world the tell tale signs of the seconds hand would alert the operative to the needed battery change, but what if it didn't and the battery just died? With an automatic you wouldn't have that problem.

I could imagine that the Royal Navy or MI6 have the financial background to change a watch battery once a year, regardless if it is necessary or not (a watch battery should work two to three years). If battery-powered equipment would cause such headaches then soldiers or agents should not be allowed to use stuff like mobile phones, satellite navigation, laptops etc.

While you certainly have a good point, a watch is a much more personal item than say a GPS unit used for land navigation. So, it seems to me, a solider, marine or sailor would be more involved in making sure his watch is functioning correctly than the quartermaster would be with the GPS unit. Then throw in a couple of back to back operations and you can see why the quartz watch could be problematic. Moreover, in case the GPS crapped out, spec ops soldiers are trained to navigate old school style. As to accuracy, quite right, quartz watches are far more accurate. However the successful prosecution of WW II was waged with mechanical watches that could "hack" so that watches could be synchronized.

DG

CarsonDyle · November 2011

If you want a reputable dealer try these guys. Its a matter of luck getting what you want though. I bought a Hamilton off them after checking them everyday for months.

http://www.finertimes.com/

minigeff · November 2011

Rainier Wolfcastle wrote:

minigeff wrote:

Being the automatic/professional version the servicing costs more but it's also classed as a chronometer, (not a chronograph that's the ones with the little stopwatch dials) meaning that it's 99.99% accurate, ie it'll loose no less than 8secs in about a years service.

99.99% accuracy means more than 8 seconds off per day ... Vou have a mechanical watch which keeps time within 8 seconds a year? Sorry, I don't think so.

personally pal i couldnt give a monkey's if its 8 secs a year, a month, a week or a day.

my bad for getting the specs wrong. 8-)

anyways, the reason i bought the pro over the quartz was because it was only a ton or so in price, and nearly a grand for a quartz movement is, imo a bit daft. if say the quartz was a quarter the price of the pro then i might be tempted, but then again i can buy a quartz watch for a fiver, and even at a quarter of the pro's price, you'd still be looking at £250.

250..... 5........ bit of a no brainer for me.

Higgins · November 2011

Hope, that you guys forgive me to contribute to the topic.

In the 70s, the rule was higher accuracy = higher price

That changed entirely when the mass-produced quartz watch appered. The could be produced cheaper than a mechanical movement and where cheaper. This almost killed the entire swiss watch industry.

In the late 80, we saw the rebirth of mechanical watches as people realized, which kind of amount of knowledge, tradition and craftmenship was necessary and that still stands for me.

Quartz in a US$ 50,-- watch? Fine for me
Quartz in a > US$ 1000,-- watch? Not for me.

And a good independent watchmaker (if you don't know one, I have one!) will serice an Omega for far less.

My 2 cents.

oscar rubio · November 2011

Donald Grant wrote:

I suppose I'm a snob then, because I prefer automatic watches to quartz watches. However the Royal Navy has for a while issued watches with quartz movements. I believe this has to do with accuracy. But I've often wondered what would happen if an SBS operative were deployed on a mission and all of a sudden the battery on his CWC SBS dive watch sh*t the bed. In a perfect world the tell tale signs of the seconds hand would alert the operative to the needed battery change, but what if it didn't and the battery just died? With an automatic you wouldn't have that problem. Anyway, of late, I've been wearing my Bond Omegas again and my DAD era purchased Seamaster has been on my wrist since last Wednesday.

DG

I prefer digital watches because they do not run the risk of stop working for lack of use

minigeff · November 2011

nah they go flat, like quartz.

the seamy pro has a power reserve (ie it'll keep ticking) for 42hours after i stop moving it about, so if i choose to wear another watch for a day then it'll be fine. if i take it off for longer than 42hours, i simply wind it back up and hey presto, watch is working again.

seeing as i hardly take my seamy off, i dont really need to think about it stopping, cos if it does stop ticking for a long period, it'll probably mean i've karked it.

)

for me, self winders are my favourite type of movement.

Donald Grant · November 2011

oscar rubio wrote:

Donald Grant wrote:

I suppose I'm a snob then, because I prefer automatic watches to quartz watches. However the Royal Navy has for a while issued watches with quartz movements. I believe this has to do with accuracy. But I've often wondered what would happen if an SBS operative were deployed on a mission and all of a sudden the battery on his CWC SBS dive watch sh*t the bed. In a perfect world the tell tale signs of the seconds hand would alert the operative to the needed battery change, but what if it didn't and the battery just died? With an automatic you wouldn't have that problem. Anyway, of late, I've been wearing my Bond Omegas again and my DAD era purchased Seamaster has been on my wrist since last Wednesday.

DG

I prefer digital watches because they do not run the risk of stop working for lack of use

You could always get a watch winder.

DG

nms75 · November 2011

oscar rubio wrote:

Donald Grant wrote:

I suppose I'm a snob then, because I prefer automatic watches to quartz watches. However the Royal Navy has for a while issued watches with quartz movements. I believe this has to do with accuracy. But I've often wondered what would happen if an SBS operative were deployed on a mission and all of a sudden the battery on his CWC SBS dive watch sh*t the bed. In a perfect world the tell tale signs of the seconds hand would alert the operative to the needed battery change, but what if it didn't and the battery just died? With an automatic you wouldn't have that problem. Anyway, of late, I've been wearing my Bond Omegas again and my DAD era purchased Seamaster has been on my wrist since last Wednesday.

DG

I prefer digital watches because they do not run the risk of stop working for lack of use

As said you could get a watchwinder or even manually wind them if they have that feature. Quartz watches have their place but if you want a real luxury 'timepiece' a Swiss automatic is the way to go.

NMS

Looking for a used omega

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