zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

The questions you ask are legitimate and should be asked by all people before purchasing their first vintage watch.

Gisbert Joseph is certainly one of the longest lived internet-based vintage watch retailers. Although I've never purchased from there, they have a very large stock of vintage watch parts and can restore most anything. Having said that, it also seems that they do not always pay much attention to original specifications. Omega designed many parts, including dials and movements, to be interchangeable among different model lines. Gisbert tends to replace with a eye to proper fit, rather to originality. Sometimes the practice of fitting non-original parts is called "frankening" after the monster in the Frankenstein novel.

I find Gisbert's prices to be very high, even by European standards.

Generally, internet watch retailers are a hit-or-miss proposition. The best watches purchased are usually sold to known customers long before they are ever posted on a website. And of course, they have to turn a profit, so prices are going to be higher. The fact that you are in London doesn't help. I think London is now rated as the most expensive city in the world. In my few travels there, I've found most everyday items priced about the same in GBP as in USD. With the exchange rate at $2 per pound...you get the picture.

There are dozens of websites out there with information on vintage Omega's, from simple wind-up time-only watches to extremely complicated chronographs. Some of the best information can be found on this website. If we knew what type of Omega you were looking at, we could steer you to the right place on the web.

IMO, the best place to shop for vintage watches is eBay. Yes, I know we always hear the horror stories about disaster watches and vanishing sellers, etc. You must do your homework and know exactly what you are looking for before bidding on anything. It sounds like you've been doing some of the that homework on Gisbert's watches, and that's a real good start. Eventually, you'll figure out what is and isn't real, what market prices are, and which sellers are reliabile and which are not. Also, you may be able to take advantage of our sinking Yankee dollar and get a real good bargain. I would counsel to discuss a potential purchase with a competant watchmaker to know what it will cost for a proper service. Chances are that any watch you buy on eBay will need one, despite the claims of the seller.

It will take an substantial investment in time, but I'm sure that you will find what you are looking for.

Good luck in your search,
gatorcpa