Genuine or Fake - The WatchCo Omega Seamaster 300 Chronicles! 🕵️♂️
Hey guys,
I would like to talk about the captivating saga of the #omega Seamaster 300 assembled by WatchCo. The plot thickens: is it a true-blue genuine timepiece, or are we in the midst of a horological mystery featuring masterful replicas?
WatchCo has meticulously pieced together this Seamaster using original parts, creating a doppelgänger that could leave even the most seasoned watch detective scratching their head. 🤯
Is This Watch Fake?
Now, here's where it gets spicy. What are your thoughts on this? Could it be a genuine homage to the original, crafted with utmost precision? Or are we witnessing a sly game of smoke and mirrors, with WatchCo pulling off a horological illusion for the ages?
This is the stuff watch enthusiasts thrive on – controversy, mystery, and the thrill of the chase. Let's gather around the virtual watch table and dissect this story together. 🧐⌚ Share your insights, theories, and speculations. Is the WatchCo Omega Seamaster 300 a masterstroke or a clever forgery?
I have a preference for straightforward, utilitarian timepieces. While dress watches don't quite align with my taste, I find myself drawn to the elegance of divers' watches. What captivates me most is...
If it ain't made by Omega, it ain't an Omega. 😮
All original parts, yes, I'd love one 😍👍🏻👍🏻
If it ain't made by Omega, it ain't an Omega. 😮
All the parts are made by Omega. This is where it becomes tricky. Do you mean "made and assembled by Omega"?
In my opinion it is an Omega. But is it official? I would be curious how the brand consider those, as there shall not be any trace in the files...
How many of those were done? Was Omega aware about them? There shall have been an agreement to send so many parts to Watchco?
So yes, mysterious and indeed the stories we like!
And the watch is wonderful 😍🙏🏻
If it ain't made by Omega, it ain't an Omega. 😮
Absolutely! All components used are genuine #omega parts, identical to those Omega would employ for repairing your watch if it were to be sent directly to the brand.
Furthermore, consider the intriguing scenario where you might opt to send your watch back to WatchCo, an authorized repair company for Omega. The terrain here is undeniably gray and presents a fascinating challenge!
This is a great Ship of Theseus situation. That is, if you have a ship and replace all the parts over time, is it original?
To the larger question, no it’s not a genuine Omega since it wasn’t made or put through tests by them.
On the other hand it is also not a replica. The best term these days, for lack of better, it’s a modded Omega.
This is very common in the car world. As long as you’re not passing it off as an original, have at it and enjoy the frankenwatch. Looks great for what it’s worth.
This is a great Ship of Theseus situation. That is, if you have a ship and replace all the parts over time, is it original?
To the larger question, no it’s not a genuine Omega since it wasn’t made or put through tests by them.
On the other hand it is also not a replica. The best term these days, for lack of better, it’s a modded Omega.
This is very common in the car world. As long as you’re not passing it off as an original, have at it and enjoy the frankenwatch. Looks great for what it’s worth.
I tend to agree, but there is one small issue, WatchCo. (now defunct!) was an authorized Omega centre, so when WatchCo. was in business it performed services on Omega watches under a license with Omega so... it was like Omega itself!
Ive read about them on the Omega forums and Omega do service them so that adds credibility to them being "real" Omega's...
I thought this was done with the consent of Omega? Maybe I'm wrong.
I thought this was done with the consent of Omega? Maybe I'm wrong.
The complete assembly of an entire Seamaster no was not authorized by Omega... I would say that this is something Omega had not in fact thought of that could happen!
I tend to agree, but there is one small issue, WatchCo. (now defunct!) was an authorized Omega centre, so when WatchCo. was in business it performed services on Omega watches under a license with Omega so... it was like Omega itself!
I hear you, but they were a partner, not Omega.
Muddy waters for sure. Especially confusing when buying or selling a mostly Omega semi vintage-ish Seamaster. I saw a Watch-Co Omega example for $5600 (UK pounds / sorry US keyboard). For that amount of money I would be very reluctant to purchase. At a price of 2K?.......maybe?
I hear you, but they were a partner, not Omega.
Yes, partners authorized to service Omega (acting in the place of and as Omega) watches and change pasts ✨
Muddy waters for sure. Especially confusing when buying or selling a mostly Omega semi vintage-ish Seamaster. I saw a Watch-Co Omega example for $5600 (UK pounds / sorry US keyboard). For that amount of money I would be very reluctant to purchase. At a price of 2K?.......maybe?
I saw them at 6K 🤯
Yes, partners authorized to service Omega (acting in the place of and as Omega) watches and change pasts ✨
Again, I hear you, and this takes nothing away from the awesome watch, but if you were to send this to Omega; Would they repair it or confiscate it? You might get lucky and they simply return it deciding not to service it.
I saw them at 6K 🤯
Regardless, still a lot of $$$$ for a watch of dubious origins. Is there a stamp on the back or something to indicate when made / assembled by Watch-Co / not at the Omega factory? Is it still even Swiss "made" and assembled?
I believe this is what’s called a “Frankenwatch”, no? You mostly see it with Seikos and such coming out of India on auction sites and the like.
If I get my Tudor serviced by a local watchmaker, does that make my Tudor fake? The tricky bit is that I'd regard that Omega as totally original if the case and caliber were originally paired. If those two are paired then it's all good. If not it becomes trickier. I guess the original Omega would be tied to the case and the serial number. Everything else would essentially be like replacing parts to put back into the original watch case. I have a Brellum Manufacture LE. With the Brellum this would not work, as the S/N on the case back references against the numbered model visible on the caliber.
Interesting debate
Numbers gotta match or its a frankenwatch ...
So would you rather buy an original 68' at $8500 or a almost as good / genuine-ish 2022 recreation assembled in Australia for $6000? Would you have any concern about a parts bin watch's resale value?
Ideally, I want to buy the original. However, in reality, I wouldn't mind buying the recreation. It's still using OMEGA parts. A fake to me is a watch trying to look like the real thing but they don't have any genuine parts
Ideally, I want to buy the original. However, in reality, I wouldn't mind buying the recreation. It's still using OMEGA parts. A fake to me is a watch trying to look like the real thing but they don't have any genuine parts
Trust me, I would be happy with either one as well. My only objection is when the recreation holds itself as an “Omega” original when it’s clearly not and charges Omega OEM prices. I probably wouldn’t care as much if the new build was $2k or whatever with a disclosure, but $6k? At some point the secondary market will adjust accordingly IMO.
Trust me, I would be happy with either one as well. My only objection is when the recreation holds itself as an “Omega” original when it’s clearly not and charges Omega OEM prices. I probably wouldn’t care as much if the new build was $2k or whatever with a disclosure, but $6k? At some point the secondary market will adjust accordingly IMO.
Then in that case, that's a problem. If they said, this is an OMEGA watch made by an OMEGA service center using genuine OMEGA parts (not original though), then I can understand because that can be classified as a genuine reissue of a vintage watch. If deception comes into play as in, this is an OMEGA watch made by an OMEGA service center using original parts when it is just refurbished OMEGA parts, then that's a fake vintage watch. I hope I'm making sense here.
The whole is more than just the sum of its parts. Omega don't just make the parts, they also assemble and regulate. Hence, not fully made by Omega and it needs to be announced when being sold.
That being said, it's a really cool piece. Not a fake, not a "true" Omega, it's a WatchCo Omega.
So a Tudor is never really a Tudor, right? I am just kidding but those are interesting questions (also interesting on double standards one may have!)
Then in that case, that's a problem. If they said, this is an OMEGA watch made by an OMEGA service center using genuine OMEGA parts (not original though), then I can understand because that can be classified as a genuine reissue of a vintage watch. If deception comes into play as in, this is an OMEGA watch made by an OMEGA service center using original parts when it is just refurbished OMEGA parts, then that's a fake vintage watch. I hope I'm making sense here.
You are making sense in my opinion. What makes zero sense is the ones that dispise this watch (as quite very much an Omega besides the assembly and the recognition by the brand), while proudly wearing imitation watches made in China by third party companies.
A gentleman there was explaining that the movement is from an original Seamaster from the 60s - at the end the Watcho model would be what the result of a full revision by Omega would be. It would even may have been done by Watchco themselves. So I am wondering what not to like in those models and how can some be so severe for no particular reason?
I believe this is what’s called a “Frankenwatch”, no? You mostly see it with Seikos and such coming out of India on auction sites and the like.
I love Soviet watches, these days getting anything that isn't a frankenwatch is tough.
It's a genuine Omega watch, just not assembled at Omega factory. I've heard stories of people sending it for service to Omega without any issues. Love mine!
So a Tudor is never really a Tudor, right? I am just kidding but those are interesting questions (also interesting on double standards one may have!)
I can only see the joke. What are the double standards you speak of?
So a Tudor is never really a Tudor, right? I am just kidding but those are interesting questions (also interesting on double standards one may have!)
#kenissi is technically not #tudor so... a Tudor is never really really a Tudor! 😂
You are making sense in my opinion. What makes zero sense is the ones that dispise this watch (as quite very much an Omega besides the assembly and the recognition by the brand), while proudly wearing imitation watches made in China by third party companies.
A gentleman there was explaining that the movement is from an original Seamaster from the 60s - at the end the Watcho model would be what the result of a full revision by Omega would be. It would even may have been done by Watchco themselves. So I am wondering what not to like in those models and how can some be so severe for no particular reason?
I think the WatchCo Seamaster is really cool because it is an OMEGA that was technically not made by them. The rarity and the story behind it is very fascinating!! I would get it for those reasons alone
It’s not made by Omega though all the parts are original Omega. These are scenarios I’d rather not find myself in. Though I have to say when I learned about them I kinda wanted one, it gets me a little knowing they weren’t hand assembled by Omega SA.