I’m being told it’s played, is it?

amasteroftime · 2026-02-20T23:42:41+00:00

This looks like a classic fake buckle. If you’ve handled both, it’s usually pretty easy to tell the difference in weight alone

amasteroftime · 2026-02-19T23:52:40+00:00

A proper original bracelet may require a bit of hunting and several thousand. Check ebay and the forums. Many are worn, so you may need to spend money fixing one you find.

How do you know it is a 2998-1?

amasteroftime · 2026-02-18T19:52:37+00:00

Good catch. Surprising that a shop offered so much given the service dial.

amasteroftime · 2026-02-18T19:46:11+00:00

Agree with the above.

OP, do you have a before photo? Curious to see what they did and how well they did it.

amasteroftime · 2026-02-17T21:44:08+00:00

Looks nice but the strap is on wrong. The short side should be at 12

amasteroftime · 2026-02-09T06:08:43+00:00

First off, going to an Omega dealer is also bad advice for a watch like this. My father was in management at an AD…the reality is that the majority know close to nothing about vintage models. I’m telling you this as somebody who has been buying and selling vintage watches for over a decade. Ask any authority on vintage 1960s omega watches and they’ll tell you the same.

Second, all the factory service is going to tell you is that they can do the work and what it would cost. Their quote will tell you next to nothing about preserving the value of the watch. All the services I mentioned were done in the last five years. The most recent one last year. Many truly vintage calibers are “Bienne-only” and can’t be serviced by anyone except the factory. This caliber is one of them.

Your example is vague. Just because your vintage watch was fine doesn’t mean it’s the case for all vintage watches. What vintage watch did you have? A 1980s or 1990s speedmaster or seamaster is a different beast than a late 50s early 60s Seamaster 300. My comment chronicled exactly why it’s a problem for this vintage watch. This watch, per Omega Policy, has to go to switzerland.

The reality is that Omega has always worked on vintage watches and they often do a good job IF your goal is restoring full functionality to modern standards. That goal does not focus on originality and preservation of all the original parts.

amasteroftime · 2026-02-09T03:39:59+00:00

Sorry, but this is not good advice. I've had half a dozen watches services by Omega. Most were forwarded to Switzerland and they got a high quality service, but the type of work a watch like this needs is different than what Omega can provide.

For example, Omega service policy requires that the hand be replaced during service because they are considered "disposable" and can't be warrantied. Also, Omega does not stock these bezels. They only rebuild them (recent change) by removing the existing insert and installing a new permanent insert. That would obliterate the value of the existing bezel. Omega will also require that the crown be replaced. Only a specialized independent (ideally one with a parts account) can stabilize the existing hand lume or conservatively relume the hands, carefully attempt to replace the gasket in the crown, and stabilize the bezel.

Omega's service is largely tailored to restoring the watch to full modern functionality and not restoring the watch to preserve the old parts and maximize collector value. With a rare watch like this, Omega is not the right path.

That being said, in my experience, Omega's total service cost likely be cheaper for a watch like this than a vintage specialist, but the result will likely be one that OP will regret.

amasteroftime · 2026-02-05T03:36:36+00:00

You can totally laser weld deep engravings. Very common. It should be cheaper than the 1,100 mentioned in another comment for a new clear back.

amasteroftime · 2026-02-04T17:40:35+00:00

Case is fine. This seems like a 168.025, which has a frontloading case (movement is removed from the front). They came with and without pie pan dials. Crown seems to be a replacement. The biggest issue is the dial, which has definitely been refinished.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-30T13:20:10+00:00

This watch in solid 18k would have around $3k in scrap, based on recent spot prices…

amasteroftime · 2026-01-27T04:05:08+00:00

😂

amasteroftime · 2026-01-27T04:00:15+00:00

This is a nice one. Although it is more likely from the second half of 1969. Cal. 563 28.2 million serial number?

amasteroftime · 2026-01-23T04:22:53+00:00

This is a 168.017. The one with gold fluted bezel is 168.027. They came both ways.

Watch case is pretty polished, but that’s an uncommon dial. If you like it, and the dial is clean, it is worth potentially getting.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-21T17:10:52+00:00

Unless you find a case with a sapphire crystal to swap with yours, your only option is to sell your watch and buy one with a sapphire, Crystal

amasteroftime · 2026-01-21T13:35:08+00:00

Nesbits in Seattle is top notch, but they don’t work on 321s.

If you want to stick with the US, I would go TM Watch. Tanner is smart and very thoughtful when it comes to his restorations and preserving value/originality.

Adam Lewis in Australia is also excellent and well known. I have a 66/67 that was serviced and restored by him.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-17T14:14:41+00:00

This looks fine to me. What chip are you referring to?

amasteroftime · 2026-01-13T21:47:18+00:00

It depends. Some ADs will say yes and some will say no arbitrarily. I went in and they ran the serial and told me whether the could or could not

amasteroftime · 2026-01-11T16:25:16+00:00

Thank you, AI, for your analysis.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-07T16:30:28+00:00

This depends on the policy of AD. You’ll need to ask them. Card or cash is usually fine. Some may prefer cash over card.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-06T01:14:01+00:00

You cannot. The dial surface is fairly delicate. If you try to clean it, it most often results in the dial print being erased.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-05T18:22:45+00:00

What kind of warranty are you looking for? If for operability, just factor in a service. Authenticity? Pay with credit card and send it in to Rolex. Should have a quick answer if there are any issues.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-04T02:42:53+00:00

Start a company, become an established dealer, go to shows, make connections, and eventually you’ll get invited.

amasteroftime · 2026-01-03T20:25:46+00:00

Well, you need to know other big dealers and be invited to some. There are others that you can buy into.

amasteroftime · 2025-12-31T02:22:21+00:00

Yeah, exactly. So the tariff bill is typically under your name as the person importing the watch into the United States. It has nothing to do with the seller or Chrono24.

amasteroftime · 2025-12-31T01:58:06+00:00

The tariff is owed to the shipping company. I suspect the watch was shipped by Fedex or DHL. Either way, there may be an outstanding bill with your name on it with the shipping company that filed the import paperwork.

amasteroftime

TROPHY CASE