Photo Credit: bethw2222
Gold Capped Omega Seamaster Sparkle Wristwatch, Circa 1970
Buy It Now Price: $675.75 (price as of 2018; item no longer available)
Pros:
-This vintage gold capped Omega Seamaster wristwatch from 1970 sports a robust, caliber 750 automatic movement with day-date function and a super funky “sparkle” enamel dial.
-Omega is one of the world’s most famous luxury watch makers, second only to Rolex in name recognition. And since its initial release in 1948, the Omega Seamaster has been one of the brand’s most desirable and well-known models.
-A gold capped wristwatch is a solid stainless steel case that has been “topped” or “capped” with a thin karat gold shell. The gold shell is actually fabricated separately and then mechanically fitted onto the specially prepared stainless steel case – a very expensive and labor-intensive process. The precious metal layer on gold capped wristwatches is much thicker than on either gold electroplated or gold-filled wristwatches.
-The Swiss 17-jewel Omega 750 movement was manufactured between 1966 and 1970 specifically for the U.S. import market. Due to its lower number of jewels, the Omega 750 movement had smaller import duties than its almost identical 24-jewel sibling, the Omega caliber 752.
-Gold electroplated jewelry usually has a thickness of only 2 or 3 microns (millionths of a meter). Very heavy electroplate is 20 microns thick. Gold-fill on watches is often between 50 and 120 microns. But a vintage gold capped wristwatch from a high-end manufacturer like Omega or Rolex will generally be around 200 microns (0.2 millimeters) or even a bit thicker. It is the very thickest gold-plating out there.
-This vintage gold capped Omega Seamaster wristwatch is engraved on the back with “GEORGE KRAFT 12-22-71 FROM MEN OF EAST RIVER”. I find this interesting because it obviously references the East River in New York City, which separates Manhattan from Brooklyn. The watch was undoubtedly a gift for someone who worked in a blue collar association or union.
-Gold capped wristwatches were popular from the 1950s through the 1970s, when they fell out of favor due to their higher cost of production versus gold electroplated and gold-filled versions.
-Due to its unique metallic reflective dial, this type of Omega is sometimes known as the Seamaster Sparkle among watch collectors. Better yet, the dial looks like it is both original and in great condition.
-I was actually going to originally feature a similar vintage gold capped Omega Seamaster in my Spotlight post this week, but it sold (at a buy-it-now price of $850) before I could complete my write-up!
-While I don’t normally recommend gold-filled or gold-plated watches for the horological enthusiast, gold capped wristwatches get my official stamp of approval. They do not have the same drawbacks of watches with thinner gold plate. For example, regardless of how badly they get scratched, gold capped watches will not expose the base metal underneath. For all intents and purposes, they wear just as well as a solid karat gold watch.
-A gold capped Omega Seamaster wristwatch in good condition will generally cost just as much as (or sometimes more than) an identical all stainless steel model. With a buy-it-now price of only $675, this vintage gold capped Omega Seamaster represents good value in a classic timepiece.
Cons:
-All else being equal, a gold capped wristwatch will never be as desirable as the same watch in solid karat gold. However, a gold capped wristwatch is a reasonable way to acquire a vintage gold watch without the exorbitant cost of solid karat gold specimens, which are often 2 to 3 times higher in price.
-I believe the crown of this gold capped Omega Seamaster is a replacement, as it does not have the Omega logo on it. If desired, a new, period correct Omega crown could be procured for between $50 and $100.
-The stainless steel back of this watch is not in the best condition; it has some scuffs and very light corrosion. However a judicious buffing could remove many of these minor imperfections.
-This watch should be professionally serviced, which typically runs between $100 and $250. Combined with a replacement crown, total servicing costs would be in the $150 to $350 range. This would push the total cost of the piece up to $825 to $1,025, which is still a fair price given its condition and desirability.
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