Watch experts of the OT - need some advice - paging Obtuse1 watch is complete

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They range from 1000 to over 10000.

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Not quite that high, those are the gold ones. I found a couple like this sell for $300-$400, but in better condition.
This is not to flip, this would be for me.

You’re the expert on these things. That looks like absolute shite though. If you want it for yourself go for it, like you indicated. Hard pass for me though

I didn't look anything up because you are perfectly capable of doing that but here is my 2 cents:

I think it is from the '50s. The whole basis of my POV is you can get a GP Gyromatic from the 60s with a movt service, polished, new crystal and a new strap in the $400-$500 range. This is one with the 10k GF case. It will have the 17 jewel movt in it but the 39 jewel count is BS. It may have 39 jewels in it but the watch doesn't need them and that was during the time jewel counts were marketing. Anything above say 21 jewels for an automatic 3 hander with a date movement is just fluff. 17-19 is more normal today and since automatics began.

You will need a service, polish, crystal, and strap for the watch to be useful and presentable. Not having it in my hands some of the gouges are so deep it may not polish well without significantly changing the shape of the case/lugs. There are ways to fill the metal first but that's a whole other level of restoration cost that this watch would only warrant if it was a highly sentimental piece. I would be surprised if you got out much under $350 (assuming it could be polished fairly easily) for all that is needed and the movement could be a minefield. The watch isn't rare nor collectible so the value is not a lot over the cost of restoring it.


There are lots of great vintage watches that have been serviced and rehabbed for not much more money than you would likely spend on this one and you can see the results before laying out the cash. For me it is too far gone compared to the value once it is restored.


YMMV

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So if I got it, I’d need to drop a couple hundred to get it to the $300-$400 watches I see sell?

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The service is going to at least $200, the crystal another $50 the polish at least $50 and $30 for a decent band. The service could be an issue if there are parts that can't be found or refurbished. I don't know that movement. The polish is the other question because the gouges may be too deep but it is hard to tell in a picture. For $20 you could buy it and take it to a watchmaker (or send it to one) and get an estimate but the safest course of action is to find another one that is ready to wear and someone else has taken the risk. You roll the dice all the time so it might be right up your alley.

Met a guy at work the other day. He had an old gold Omega. From the 1960’s all original. You could tell it was his daily driver since he bought it new.

Dudes eyes lit up when I noticed it. “That’s a nice old Omega!” Geeked out about watches for a couple minutes that we should have been discussing his medical history.

I’d pass at that price and condition. If it ran and the scratches aren’t as deep as they appear, maybe $75 to $100.

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I’d pass at that price and condition. If it ran and the scratches aren’t as deep as they appear, maybe $75 to $100.

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I offered him $75, he says he’s firm at $150, so I passed

It’s worth about $600-$800 in this condition.

The one in your link is a 37mm, mine is only 35mm. Plus that one is serviced and probably comes with a warranty.

Plus that $1500 is retail, probably closer to $1000 in value