​ Omega 2538.20 - Are they out there?

[TSD]

​
So, ever since picking up the Speedy from Wu, I've been looking for a Seamaster GMT, and can't stop thinking about a Great White. I've done some fishing around, and chatted up George (Kringkily) on Omega Forums. He's had a few, but apparently has no appetite for a trade of any non-Omega.


Another one came up on WUS, and went just as quickly. That dude said nice ones can be had for $2,200, which would be a nice even swap with someone for my Seiko SDGZ013 panda.


At least half a dozen or more are up on eBay with various resellers that I've never heard of, for close to, or over, 3k in various states of condition/service. I've bought vintage Seikos on eBay, but nothing like an SM, especially where condition of the movement can kill you if you get in it wrong.


If you were trying to land a Great White, using the Seiko Brightz chrono as bait, where would you go?
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Or forget the trade, and just nut up and get a bigger boat?


Notwithstanding the five year old "My Great White is Back" thread, is there one out there that you would part with?

[matt.wu]

By the way, ^ that is a sweet ass watch in person.

[james80]

By the way, ^ that is a sweet ass watch in person.

Your condescending tone regarding this Seiko makes you seem extremely elitist. Either that or you failed to realize it is not a grand seiko.

Seiously that's A beautiful LE Seiko and to answer you question, if I owned it I wouldn't be looking anywhere to trade it.

[CGSshorty]

I love that Seiko.

[HapaHapa]

Me too. Keep it

[blowfish89]

That's a great watch with an awesome movement (the Brightz Seiko), and you can very easily find Great Whites at $1800-2k with a little patience. I just sold one in January. Josh just sold one in December. You just gotta wait out Feb and March.

I personally would hit up exelonman on WUS - he buys Great Whites for $1500-1600 and should be able to sell you one ~$2k. But he won't take a Seiko as a trade - maybe if you have something Omega.

[TSD]

That's a great watch with an awesome movement (the Brightz Seiko), and you can very easily find Great Whites at $1800-2k with a little patience. I just sold one in January. Josh just sold one in December. You just gotta wait out Feb and March.

I personally would hit up exelonman on WUS - he buys Great Whites for $1500-1600 and should be able to sell you one ~$2k. But he won't take a Seiko as a trade - maybe if you have something Omega.

Enablers all of ya!

Nice condition Great White just popped up and swallowed me whole for $1800.

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[blowfish89]

Congrats TSD.

[Minordamage]

They are awesome. I only sold mine to buy Wu's Timeless Club. That bracelet is one of the most comfortable I have worn. You can find half links easily to fine tune the fit as the clasp doesn't have any adjustment holes for fine tuning.

[TSD]

I love that Seiko.

I could arrange an introduction, Chris. It'll come back from the spa treatment at Seiko Japan all cleaned up for you.

[TSD]

Congrats TSD.

Thx, dude. Was stoked to catch it, but it's probably from a garage sale. Just an eBay junk reseller, so I'm hoping it doesn't need too much work. Will have to drop the SMP off at the Omega Boutique to have it checked out. When I asked them to demag my Speedy, they offered to pressure test and regulate it, as a courtesy. Nice perk. Guess that's how they keep you coming back.

Any common issues to watch out for on cal. 1128s?

[Grahamcombat]

Congrats!

[TSD]

Congrats!

Thx, Graham

[jswing]

Congrats on the Great White. I'd try to keep the Seiko if possible. Where else can you get an in-house column wheel chrono at that price? Plus it's great looking. I really wish I still had mine.

[rightrower]

Congrats on your omega catch!

[TSD]

Congrats on the Great White. I'd try to keep the Seiko if possible. Where else can you get an in-house column wheel chrono at that price? Plus it's great looking. I really wish I still had mine.

Appreciate it, Jeff.

The 8R48 chrono is an incredible movement, for sure. Brightz is as close as you'll get to GS finishing and accuracy in an automatic Seiko chronograph nowadays. It's just not getting enough wrist time, especially now that I have the Speedy. I'm ready to see it off to a good home. I'll PM you when its back from Seiko Japan, if you're interested.

[TSD]

Okay, my Great White arrived and I need some advice. On first sight, all looks okay. Case nicely refinished. No scratches to the crystal. Bezel doesn't turn freely, but probably correctable with an adjustment to the spring.

I took it to the watchmaker at the Omega boutique to inspect and test the movement. He was concerned about some fairly deep gouges in the plates and shield cover, and damage to the rotor. He believes a screw from the plate came loose at some point, and was being dragged back and forth by the rotor. Screws were replaced but not the damaged parts. Although the movement is generally healthy, the historical damage should be corrected to prevent debris from flaking off and chewing up the movement. Parts alone to repair the damage would run $550, if I can get parts for my watchmaker.

There's other BS like the stuck bezel, and a bent clasp which doesn't fit tightly to the bracelet on each end; that would run $122 to replace if I break it trying to bend back into shape. He basically said no way should I send it to Omega for service; they'd charge crazy $ replacing everything!

My personal feeling is that this is typical for an eBay seller. I expected shenanigans. No pics of the movement were shown in the listing, and no mention was made of the damage. It simply said case refinished, serviced and keeping time, see the pics. There's a 14 day return, but I could just try negotiating a partial refund in exchange for not opening up a dispute. Does eBay come down on sellers for this? Might have some leverage, if so. But feedback shows it's not this guy's first rodeo as a bad boy on a watch sale.

So, what do you do here? Keep it and try to squeeze the seller? Run? I'm really bitten by the Great White, though, so it would be painful to walk away.

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[dukerules]

Unless you got the deal of the century on it, I'd send it back. Too much hassle and expense going forward for that watch, IMO.

[Joeprez]

Yep, it would depend on what you paid for it. Bezel is an easy fix IF the bezel itself is not damaged. I have a replacement (no name) omega PO bracelet (20mm) that, if I can find, I can send you the clasp (not sure if it fits, but if it does you can have it. It looks similar to the one you have).

[marchone]

That's a lot of damage.

[1954Selmer]

Killer Chrono

[TSD]

Thx, all. I put the ball in the seller's court. We'll see if they accept my settlement proposal.

[TSD]

I had my watchmaker visually inspect the movement today, and he is confident the scratches, bezel, etc. can be easily repaired during a complete service for a couple hundred bucks. It is running within chronometer specs as it is, so I'm feeling good about the decision to keep it. If the seller compensates me for this cost, all the better. So, the Great White stays!

[TSD]

Post service pic of the Great White. Watchmaker did a nice job cleaning it up, I think. Incorrect screws and one wheel replaced as part of the overhaul. Movement running strong, and no real damage was done (aside from the superficial scratches to the base plates and rotor). I was able to bend the clasp back into place, without breaking it yet, so that's a win. Bezel is less stuck, but still jamming up a bit (not completely turning bidirectionally). Hoping the watchmaker at the Omega boutique can spend a few minutes and correct that, now that it's no longer just a purchase inspection.

All things considered, I feel like this turned out well. The size and balance of the Seamaster case and bracelet make this easily the most comfortable daily wear diver that I've owned. Maybe not the greatest deal ever, but it looks really good after a few drinks and I didn't wake up with a $3k bill on the nightstand.

[rockmastermike]

Very nice, Tom