Just purchased and was curious to know your thoughts.

[Reu]

Hello,

Never owned a vintage watch before as I've always bought new. Fancied adding one to my collection but wasn't really looking to spend too much. Been looking at various forums, Ebay etc and there is obviously an abundance of Omega's on offer. I have taken quite some time to become familiar with condition/age reflective in cost and saw something that caught my eye over the weekend on Ebay.

I pursued the bidding beyond what I had really set my limit at but overall I think (I hope) i've made the right decision.

It turns up tomorrow and I have my fingers crossed it's all legit, otherwise it'll go back on sale again ha ha.

Anyways... Please let me know your thoughts, if you have any, and please don't hold back if you have anything negative to say. In hindsight I should really have done this in the time window before I bought it but I just went with it.


This was the description placed by the seller

WOW, FOR SALE, A 1973 OMEGA CALIBRE 1030 MANUAL. - STUNNING CONDITION.
LARGE 37MM DIAMETER WITHOUT CROWN, MEASURING 44MM LUG TO LUG.
MOVEMET NUMBER358374XX.
SILVER DIAL PRISTINE.
CASE IMMACULATE.
SERVICEDAND KEEPING STRONG TIME.
FITTED WITH A SPORTY 18MM LEATER STRAP(BLACK) WITH HEAVY S/S BUCKLE- ALL NEW.
WATCH IS ALL ORIGINAL .

What do you think? Is this a fair description? Good? Legit? Bad?

[KeepTicking]

I don't know much about vintage, but it sure looks nice!!!

[watch watcher]

Really nice. Maybe a redial? Looks like you got it for a fair price and he's a solid seller so I think you did well.

[Reu]

Hello,

Thanks for your feedback!

The watch arrived and by the time it did I was feeling even more dubious.

I removed the packaging and the watch was far better than in the pictures - it was in amazing condition!!

My first thoughts when I spoke to the seller prior to buying was if it was refurbished - redial in particular, but he was insistent it wasn't?!

Anyways... It came with a cheap looking strap on it so I'll be going to the Omega service centre next week. I spoke to someone their who said they'll take a look at it for me - I guess they'll be able to tell me immediately what/if anything has been replaced on it, and I'll also buy an original strap for it.

Looked the serial number up on the Vintage Omega site too and the number correlates with what they have listed on their system, so right now so far so good and I'm really pleased with it - will be wearing to work today!

Thanks

[DJ16234]

Hy,
very nice watch, looks legit.
I am not absolutly sure about this but as far as I know there should be omega sign on center of the plexi glas.
I can not see this on your pictures

Like this:

[Reu]

You're right, I think there should be too. The crystal has definitely been replaced.

Lume on the hands is now an off yellow sort of colour too, which I guess is a good thing as testament to its genuine state.

[Reu]

Got in on now at work...

Photos really just don't do it justice!!

[anipit]

Don't like, it seems a Grandfather watch...

[Reu]

Originally Posted by anipit

Don't like, it seems a Grandfather watch...

Haha well it is almost 40 years old!

Nice avatar...

[Rogdogg]

I don't know anything about vintage watches, but, if it's all original, it looks in fantastic condition to me.

[Reu]

Originally Posted by DJ16234

Hy,
very nice watch, looks legit.
I am not absolutly sure about this but as far as I know there should be omega sign on center of the plexi glas.
I can not see this on your pictures

Like this:

Ignore my initial response to your message, i THINK i just found it - it's ridiculously small unless its something else I can see?!?!?

Hopefully going to the Omega service centre tomorrow now so will post back once I've been there!

[Maxtor]

I have a similar one with a blue dial and slightly different hands on a bracelet.

Nice low profile watch. I wear it when I travel or when I think it might take a hit.

Enjoy it.

[Reu]

Thought I'd post an update...

Went to the Omega sevice centre today www.swisstimeservices.co.uk which is a really interesting place. A large office space with a laboratory type section. When I turned up I was greeted by a receptionist who then went and registered/photographed my watch and then called the technician I spoke with on the phone the previous day.

Really nice guy, who took a look at my watch and asked me to wait a short while so he could open it up and inspect it fully.

Whilst I waited there were glass cabinets of brand new really old vintage watches from decades gone by. There were a load of Omega history books with references to all of thier collections. With all of this available to look at in the reception area the time went by pretty quickly and before I knew it the technician came back to me.

He had a big smile and told me that not only was the watch authentic but everything (except the strap) was original and unchanged. He said the only thing that had been done to the watch was that the caseback had been smoothed over with a lath. I had to question as to how the dial could be spotless and how the case itself was so mint and he was insistent that it hadn't been touched and just said that on occasion watches like this come by with their original attributes that are like new, although he said it was pretty rare.

I told him where and how I bought it and he said it was a great purchase and the mechanics inside were running as they should was everything was really accurate!

Before leaving I purchased a new Omega strap for it. I chose black as I wanted to keep it as original as possible and apparently that was the colour it came with.

As an added bonus he gave me a red Omega case (almost the same you get your sunglasses in) to put the watch in.

Before leaving I expressed my interest in the watches on display and we had a chat about Omega's history and watches in general.

Overall a really great and fun experience and really nice and helpful staff!

I have actually messaged the guy I bought the watch from to say thanks again as I really am so pleased with my purchase.

[vintagewaferthin]

Very nice! congrats! I myself have a vintage Omega cal 600 from 1960. The old Omegas are excellent in terms of quality.

[SFX]

Originally Posted by Reu

Thought I'd post an update...

Went to the Omega sevice centre today www.swisstimeservices.co.uk which is a really interesting place. A large office space with a laboratory type section. When I turned up I was greeted by a receptionist who then went and registered/photographed my watch and then called the technician I spoke with on the phone the previous day.

Really nice guy, who took a look at my watch and asked me to wait a short while so he could open it up and inspect it fully.

Whilst I waited there were glass cabinets of brand new really old vintage watches from decades gone by. There were a load of Omega history books with references to all of thier collections. With all of this available to look at in the reception area the time went by pretty quickly and before I knew it the technician came back to me.

He had a big smile and told me that not only was the watch authentic but everything (except the strap) was original and unchanged. He said the only thing that had been done to the watch was that the caseback had been smoothed over with a lath. I had to question as to how the dial could be spotless and how the case itself was so mint and he was insistent that it hadn't been touched and just said that on occasion watches like this come by with their original attributes that are like new, although he said it was pretty rare.

I told him where and how I bought it and he said it was a great purchase and the mechanics inside were running as they should was everything was really accurate!

Before leaving I purchased a new Omega strap for it. I chose black as I wanted to keep it as original as possible and apparently that was the colour it came with.

As an added bonus he gave me a red Omega case (almost the same you get your sunglasses in) to put the watch in.

Before leaving I expressed my interest in the watches on display and we had a chat about Omega's history and watches in general.

Overall a really great and fun experience and really nice and helpful staff!

I have actually messaged the guy I bought the watch from to say thanks again as I really am so pleased with my purchase.

[Cesium133]

Awesome story. Glad it turned out to be a true hidden gem. 40 years old and looks almost brand new! Enjoy it with the new strap!

[Reu]

Thanks for all of your responses guys!

[silversurfer96790]

Nice find

[Reu]

Hello!

I'm now looking for an Omega box for this watch.

I've been looking and i'm unsure whether it would have been the square box type or the long slim type?

Does anyone know what the original box it came in would look like?

It appears that there were a few different designs in the 70's.

Thanks.

[improviz]

Wow, gorgeous piece and a great find, congratulations! Enjoy that classic and wear in good health!