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Main Forums => Watch Gallery => Topic started by: AndyC on April 13, 2010, 04:44:32 AM

Title: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: AndyC on April 13, 2010, 04:44:32 AM
My vintage SM300. Well not exactly vintage to be 100% truthful. This was made by Watchco Australia. They bought all the NOS parts for the SM300 and reassembled them using vintage but horologically correct Omega movements. If you look closelly, you can see the Omega logo on the acrylic crystal.

Best of both worlds I think.  A brand new vintage watch! ;D

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/andy_tyc/Omega%20SM300/DSC_0011Small.jpg)

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l301/andy_tyc/Omega%20SM300/DSC_0008Small.jpg)

Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: chrisyen on April 13, 2010, 05:13:36 AM
recently i saw alot of this on bay...
sm200 is also available...
where did u get urs, can pm how much?
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: takashi78 on April 13, 2010, 08:08:09 AM
Very nice! Anymore closeup pics?
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: ck77 on April 13, 2010, 08:21:18 AM
What a classic watch! So this is kinda of 'franken' huh.
And yeah, would like to know the cost as well.
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: AndyC on April 13, 2010, 10:29:31 PM
What a classic watch! So this is kinda of 'franken' huh.
And yeah, would like to know the cost as well.

Yes, it's kinda a 'franken' watch. But the funny thing is that Omega UK and Bienne, recognise it as a true omega model and will service and warranty it without any problems. There were a few made locally here in the UK but the majority of these NOS Omegas come from Australia. If you google Watchco, you should find the price of the models. They have gone up considerably (100x) compared to when they first appeared in the early 2000s. I guess it's because of the lack of anymore parts and so are becoming harder to rebuild.

The SM300 is popular amongst military collectors as they were once issued to the British Navy/Divers in the 1960s. Proper issued ones with the T and broadarrow go for many thousands of pounds. Most are in a truly beaten up shape. I was close to buying one on ebay UK a while back but a sudden moment of clarity made me resist.

Also, there's a lot to read up on with regard to this model. Lots of fakes about made with random omega parts. Have a look at this site: http://scubawatch.org/hallofshame.html (http://scubawatch.org/hallofshame.html).My father who is a collector thought he bought a nice one from a dealer in PJ but when I had a look at it, I had to tell him with a heavy heart that it was a fake. The only thing original about it was probably the movement and hands. The case was all wrong, the dial was modern but had brown lume to make it look vintage. The case back had the wrong font. He couldn't remember whom he bought it from so an expensive lesson learnt! :Blue:
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: David_cheong on April 14, 2010, 06:35:55 AM
AndyC

Good read. Thanks for sharing.

dc
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: ck77 on April 14, 2010, 07:05:12 AM
Thanks for the site Andy  :thumbsup: There are numbers of nice vintage Omegas indeed.
Just to clarify, all of their watches are used and rebuild with NOS parts or build from scratch? Wondering any serial numbers on the watch?
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: Scott C. on April 14, 2010, 08:13:19 AM
I guess this is what commonly known as Watchco Omega SM300 (by the Australian if i'm not mistaken) since it's restored by them using all authentic Omega parts...don't really know where they got those parts from, directly from Omega?

The non-watchco SM300 in mint condition is really hard to come by, the most sort after is the "T" dial (not the lumi), there is a "T" (with circle) on top of the "Seamaster" printed on dial...

I once owned this watch (exactly the same as Andy's one :)) before and with 2 original bracelets but let go due to some reason...

There is no serial number on the case but there is a serial number on the movement itself ;) This movement is Omega in-house movement in the early day which no longer in production... if i'm not mistaken, it's Cal552 for no date and Cal553 with date....both are unadjusted but I have to say that the one i owned was very accurate, i timed it before and it's gain +5 sec daily consistently over for few weeks  :thumbsup:

as mentioned by Andy, there are a lot fake out there, so if you interested to get one, better do some homework and usually hard to come by in any used store ;) Before i got the real one i actually bought a fake one on the Bay (300GBP, too good to be true, haahah) while i was staying in UK :p Then i sell it back (where it come where it go) with the same price i bought and clearly stated the case, bezel, dial is after-market.... luckily some one bought it to reduce my damage :p


Cheers!
scott




Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: JPSP on April 14, 2010, 08:46:35 AM
the lume is still very bright.....a very nice vintage omega! :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: dennis.T on April 20, 2010, 09:11:32 PM
Thanks for sharing n nice "vintage" omega u hv :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: David_cheong on April 20, 2010, 09:16:07 PM
Well, 'we' saw one displaying at Summit. Its a beautiful piece.

dc
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: AndyC on April 21, 2010, 06:30:59 PM
Hi David,

Was it a vintage piece or NOS like this one? How much was it if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks,
andy
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: Scott C. on April 21, 2010, 07:25:47 PM
Hi David,

Was it a vintage piece or NOS like this one? How much was it if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks,
andy

if i'm not wrong, it's exactly the one same like yours but with bracelet.... that's the one i sold it back to the store :D
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: ck77 on April 21, 2010, 07:32:38 PM
Hi David,

Was it a vintage piece or NOS like this one? How much was it if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks,
andy

Saw it last Sunday with David and Peter in the shop. According to the shop, the watch is a vintage piece but with new dial and hands. PM if you want to know the price.  :Cheers:
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: David_cheong on April 21, 2010, 07:46:20 PM
This one is with the after market strap, According to lam, this watch was send back to Switzerland for service.

Scott - it that yours?.

dc
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: terrenceterrence on April 23, 2010, 07:10:00 PM
Sshark have a really beautiful SM300 too...

was seriously contemplating getting one myself. you can get all of the parts (case, dial, bezel, bracelet and etc.) from ofrei.com quite resonable and then source a calibre 531 yourself and get a competent watchmaker to put everyhting together...

 :Dancing_banana:
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: David_cheong on April 23, 2010, 08:20:04 PM
Tell us more, maybe can quote? What the approx. cost look like?

dc
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: terrenceterrence on April 23, 2010, 09:45:05 PM
NOS bracelet + end links + dial + Case&Crown&Crystal set cost round 1kUSD.

Calibre 531...source from bay... cost depends on condition and luck i guess
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: David_cheong on April 24, 2010, 07:47:16 AM
Thanks. Sound interesting.. That pc at Summit was smiling at me...urged me to take a second look.
dc
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: Scott C. on April 24, 2010, 10:17:00 AM
NOS bracelet + end links + dial + Case&Crown&Crystal set cost round 1kUSD.

Calibre 531...source from bay... cost depends on condition and luck i guess

SM300 should be using cal552/553... not sure about 531.. be caful ;)
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: terrenceterrence on April 24, 2010, 06:35:50 PM
NOS bracelet + end links + dial + Case&Crown&Crystal set cost round 1kUSD.

Calibre 531...source from bay... cost depends on condition and luck i guess

SM300 should be using cal552/553... not sure about 531.. be caful ;)

oops i guess my may be wrong... but all in i guess usd1.8k would be the ball park to put all up together yourself?
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: chrisyen on April 24, 2010, 09:50:10 PM
dial, hand, servicing movement...... all in will cost u more than u a whole piece....
risk of buying wrong parts.....
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: terrenceterrence on April 24, 2010, 10:48:21 PM
dial, hand, servicing movement...... all in will cost u more than u a whole piece....
risk of buying wrong parts.....


the parts listing from ofrei.com is pretty good. look it up also if you need to restore your vintage omegas. tons of NOS parts and tools
Title: Re: Omega Seamaster 300
Post by: level z on May 16, 2010, 06:10:32 AM
nice lume shoot ....