Seamaster 300 CK 2913-6 advice urgently needed please

Kevin Burke · Feb 15, 2019

Thank you padders, JanV, ndgal, bigsom, gemini4, STANDY, BlackTalon & watchknut.

I'm off to break the bad news to the vendor.

Deeply appreciated!

Kevin

aprax · Feb 15, 2019

K Kevin Burke
What do you think of my comment that the video shows the serial without the "1" at the beginning???

There seems to be some kind of a smudge in front of the 6, certainly. But what about the OXG engraving, which is clearly visible. I believe this to be the import code for Omega watches or uncased movements delivered to the USA (see here). This would not agree with the Extract in this case.

smitty190373 · Feb 15, 2019

K Kevin Burke
Thank you padders, JanV, ndgal, bigsom, gemini4, STANDY, BlackTalon & watchknut.

I'm off to break the bad news to the vendor.

Deeply appreciated!

Kevin

Good decision...

Somehow I doubt he will be that surprised.

mr_yossarian · Feb 15, 2019

aprax
There seems to be some kind of a smudge in front of the 6, certainly. But what about the OXG engraving, which is clearly visible. I believe this to be the import code for Omega watches or uncased movements delivered to the USA (see here). This would not agree with the Extract in this case.

BAM! Didn't see that but you are 100% right. There was a lot more work on the movement then..

watchknut · Feb 15, 2019

soul...

Dead Link/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/273702859729

Castle4444 · Feb 15, 2019

Hold out for a better example, one will pop up. Here’s mine.

CajunTiger · Feb 15, 2019

I haven't read your post, but based on the photos this watch has zero appeal. The extract is of no value other than to say its an Omega.

CajunTiger · Feb 15, 2019

gemini4
Alternatively, Here is a 2913-5 that I sourced very recently. This example displays many of the original attributes which are desirous in a 1st generation Diver Seamaster. Note the original bezel with radium lume piper dot at 12. The hour and minute hands are believed original (and rare) Dauphine versions whose radium lume matches the nicely patinated dial. I took a chance on buying from crappy pics and was delighted when the watch arrived.

What a stunner, with a very rare hand set...this is exactly why you buy a vintage Seamaster. The watch in the OP is devoid of everything that makes this vintage reference desirable.

Here is another example

Dgercp · Feb 15, 2019

In a way you are lucky, if it's just that you like this style watch, just get the re-issue. It is lovely.
If you want the real vintage deal, might as well make it real. And that will cost you around 15k and lots of patience.

bgrisso · Feb 15, 2019

Thank god you checked here first before making a major mistake

oddboy · Feb 15, 2019

Since it's been mentioned a few times, here's the 60th, for comparison. Much of the charm, none of the hassles of the OP watch

Dan S · Feb 15, 2019

The OP watch is a vintage watch that will mainly appeal to someone who doesn’t actually like vintage watches. Of course the OP may eventually come to appreciate originality and the appearance of honest age, but at this point I agree with others that it would not be a good idea for him to make a large investment in a vintage piece.

Perhaps he might consider buying a less expensive birth year watch in good honest original condition. That would allow him to see if the vintage look grows on him with time. And if not, he will minimize his losses.

padders · Feb 15, 2019

Dan S
The OP watch is a vintage watch that will mainly appeal to someone who doesn’t actually like vintage watches. Of course the OP may eventually come to appreciate originality and the appearance of honest age, but at this point I agree with others that it would not be a good idea for him to make a large investment in a vintage piece.

Perhaps he might consider buying a less expensive birth year watch in good honest original condition. That would allow him to see if the vintage look grows on him with time. And if not, he will minimize his losses.

This may be true but I see the OP's dilemma, he wants a large diameter watch with reliable 1959 provenance. This isn't easy or cheap with Omega as you are looking at either the divers or Speedmasters (mega money). Can anyone suggest a worthy alternative model which fits the bill? I was thinking Breitling 806 but that too will be pricey, but not quite as mental as a Speedy.

Mouse_at_Large · Feb 15, 2019

I think he may well come up against the problem that with some of the potential products he might find that it's not so easy to pin a particular watch down to a particular year. That would kind of blow the birth year idea out of the water. In this case, I tend to agree with the majority that the reissue is the way to go.

Dan S · Feb 15, 2019

padders
This may be true but I see the OP's dilemma, he wants a large diameter watch with reliable 1959 provenance. This isn't easy or cheap with Omega as you are looking at either the divers or Speedmasters (mega money). Can anyone suggest a worthy alternative model which fits the bill? I was thinking Breitling 806 but that too will be pricey, but not quite as mental as a Speedy.

I agree that it won't be easy to find an Omega that fits the criteria at a low price point. Sorry to hijack the thread, I know it's way off-topic, but there were several nice largish dive watches in 1959, and most EPSA cases are dated inside the case-back. Just one 40mm example below (from 1958 actually). It's never easy to find a watch like this in nice condition, but if you find one, the price-point is a LOT lower than the numbers being thrown around above.

Kevin Burke · Feb 15, 2019

Hi all you guys, really pleased and heartened to see such a great response to my appeal for advice.

Unbelievable level of knowledge on display here, and really saved my bacon!!!

Some fabulous examples shown here by Castle4444 and Cajuntiger ...God knows what they are worth.

Even the movement of 'mine' seems to be in doubt,with the talk of OXG/uncased movements and smudged serial numbers.

It's a MINEFIELD!

I'm not sure if I'm going to ever end up with a '59 (of any kind, not especially Omega or Seamaster) that ticks all my boxes. Maybe an IWC Ingenieur - it has 36.5 mm and as it's thick it might have enough presence for my 8 inch wrist. A really clean one will be heading for 10k though. Not sure about obscure and defunct manufacturers like the Enicar above ...I'd kinda like a classic, but more Omega classic than say Longines classic.

I'm in the right place to find local examples, if I'm patient - Geneva,Switzerland baby!

Again, Thank You guys!

Dan S · Feb 15, 2019

K Kevin Burke
Hi all you guys, really pleased and heartened to see such a great response to my appeal for advice.

Unbelievable level of knowledge on display here, and really saved my bacon!!!

Some fabulous examples shown here by Castle4444 and Cajuntiger ...God knows what they are worth.

Even the movement of 'mine' seems to be in doubt,with the talk of OXG/uncased movements and smudged serial numbers.

It's a MINEFIELD!

I'm not sure if I'm going to ever end up with a '59 (of any kind, not especially Omega or Seamaster) that ticks all my boxes. Maybe an IWC Ingenieur - it has 36.5 mm and as it's thick it might have enough presence for my 8 inch wrist. A really clean one will be heading for 10k though. Not sure about obscure and defunct manufacturers like the Enicar above ...I'd kinda like a classic, but more Omega classic than say Longines classic.

I'm in the right place to find local examples, if I'm patient - Geneva,Switzerland baby!

Again, Thank You guys!

I am a big IWC fan, and a ref 666 or 866 Ingenieur is a great watch. And unless you are focusing on the absurd asking prices on Chrono24, a clean example can be found for significantly less than $10k. However, they do not have a particularly large wrist presence in my personal opinion due to the rather wide bezel. There are a number Omega Seamaster references from 1959 that wear as large or larger, and can be found for a fraction of the price.

sdre · Feb 16, 2019

K Kevin Burke
Hi all you guys, really pleased and heartened to see such a great response to my appeal for advice.

Unbelievable level of knowledge on display here, and really saved my bacon!!!

Some fabulous examples shown here by Castle4444 and Cajuntiger ...God knows what they are worth.

Even the movement of 'mine' seems to be in doubt,with the talk of OXG/uncased movements and smudged serial numbers.

It's a MINEFIELD!

I'm not sure if I'm going to ever end up with a '59 (of any kind, not especially Omega or Seamaster) that ticks all my boxes. Maybe an IWC Ingenieur - it has 36.5 mm and as it's thick it might have enough presence for my 8 inch wrist. A really clean one will be heading for 10k though. Not sure about obscure and defunct manufacturers like the Enicar above ...I'd kinda like a classic, but more Omega classic than say Longines classic.

I'm in the right place to find local examples, if I'm patient - Geneva,Switzerland baby!

Again, Thank You guys!

What I learnt in this hobby is that patience and buying well is always rewarding.

Good on you to hold out for a good one. Might try to head down to omega boutique to see if there's any 60th anniversary seamaster to try on. It should fit your 8 inch nicely.