zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: I GOTTA GET THIS OUT OF MY SYSTEM,

Apparently.

: HOW CAN
: PEOPLE CLAIM THEY HAVE A GENUINE
: 1954(say),SEAMASTER, THAT LOOKS CLEANER
: & MORE PRISTINE THAN A WATCH THAT WAS
: BOUGHT A WEEK AGO!

It is called 'restoration' -- when the watch is cleaned and otherwise put back close to like-new.

: THEY MUST HAVE NEW
: FACES,HANDS,WINDERS.etc.

Dial repaints are common on restored watches. Some other cosmetic part replacements are normal too. Though some people get carried away and repaint the dials in obviously non-original designs or colors -- makeing the restoration far from authentic.

: WHAT IS THE POINT
: OF BUYING A VINTAGE WATCH ERGO A WATCH WITH
: SOME 'HISTORY'& A PAST, IF THE BLOODY
: THING IS A COBLED TOGETHER WATCH JUST OFF
: THE WORK-BENCH!

I'd hardly call most of these cobbled together. But like vintage cars, most are not found in sufficient condition to be acceptable to the bulk of collectors and enthisuasts. So restoration is one way to save cars and watches that show their age in bad ways from simply going to a scrap heap somewhere.

: OH THE SELLER SAY'S 'FULL
: OMEGA GARENTEE......BOLLOCKS, OMEGA AS WE
: ALL KNOW, WONT SANCTION SELLING WATCHES ON
: THE INTERNET!

You were making a wholly incorrect connection there. OMEGA has nothing to do with sanctioning the sale of USED watches anywhere. Their only control or authority is that they do not permit their AUTHORIZED dealers to sell NEW watches over the Internet.

: PAINTED AND A CHEAP QUALITY FINISH TO BOOT.
: COME ON, LETS SHOW THESE CON-ARTISTS THAT WE
: REALLY AR'NT 'THAT STUPID'........ARE WE?

Stupid, no. But different people value different things about older watches. Just because someone else looks at it differently from you doesn't make anybody more or less intelligent.

Choosing to purchase restored vintage watches is a personal choice. It is not something that these people are trying to scam the world by selling.

Restored vintage watches are a normal thing. If your personal preference are for vintage watches in 'as-is' condition, that's great. When you can find one like that in superb condition, they are rarer and more valuable than the restored versions.

But other people want vintage watches that are like-new, yet have no interest in paying the very high price an original in mint cndition sells for. The lower priced restored watches are a great way to enjoy vintage watches for the casual collector.