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1950's ? Omega Seamaster identification help
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Dan S
·Oh, the zig-zag springs. I need to have something like that made for a Gay Freres bracelet. Although not as many zigs and zags.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified Watchmaker
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tt500
·Thanks Cristos71, Dan S and Archer. Really learned a lot!! The video was extremely interesting and great to have a part number for the springs!! It looks like mine is the early variation of the 7077 and stamped with 4 58 date code. I also realized after looking at it again the bracelet does have 5 stretch links 3 on one side 2 on the other. Would it be best to have an Omega dealer do the repair?
Would it harm the value to have the crystal polished?
Greatly appreciate it!
Would it harm the value to have the crystal polished?
Greatly appreciate it!
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Wlcutter
·Great, great watch—enjoy it. I'm from MN and my dad's a retired watchmaker there, but (in his opinion) the best place to take this would be Tom Chase, who runs Chasing Time. He's in Minneapolis. He's CW21, and has an Omega account, so can get all the parts necessary.
The only thing that'd harm the value of the watch would be having the case polished. The crystal should absolutely be polished, and that won't affect value at all.
Congrats again. Those old Seamasters are fantastic watches.
The only thing that'd harm the value of the watch would be having the case polished. The crystal should absolutely be polished, and that won't affect value at all.
Congrats again. Those old Seamasters are fantastic watches.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerGreat, great watch—enjoy it. I'm from MN and my dad's a retired watchmaker there, but (in his opinion) the best place to take this would be Tom Chase, who runs Chasing Time. He's in Minneapolis. He's CW21, and has an Omega account, so can get all the parts necessary.
The only thing that'd harm the value of the watch would be having the case polished. The crystal should absolutely be polished, and that won't affect value at all.
Congrats again. Those old Seamasters are fantastic watches.
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Wlcutter
·Just FYI - being a Cal. 500 series and a "Bienne only" caliber, Omega does not sell "all the parts" for this movement, so some parts would need to be sourced on the open market. For example the third wheel and the rotor pinion are two common parts that I replace in these movements, and neither are available from Omega.
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Archer
··Omega Qualified WatchmakerOh fascinating—sure, I hadn't considered that. Thanks, Archer.
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sheepdoll
·At least with the 500, some of the 470 parts are interchangeable. The rotor is also changeable with the 490 but not the wheel train as the 490 is a sub seconds automatic.
On the 470/500 the third wheel is a double wheel for the sweep seconds. On the later 550/600 base, these are seperable. On the later variants it it easy to break the long pivot where it passes though the plate. Not sure why the third wheel on the 470/500 would be as prone to failure, although on the rust rats, the third wheel pivot does tend to rust the most.
Perhaps @Archer might know if they trend to wear more then other third wheels.
At the moment these third wheels and rotor bearings turn up often in the secondary markets. Downside is that they are often from parts watches or scrapped out movements sold by estate sellers.
On the 470/500 the third wheel is a double wheel for the sweep seconds. On the later 550/600 base, these are seperable. On the later variants it it easy to break the long pivot where it passes though the plate. Not sure why the third wheel on the 470/500 would be as prone to failure, although on the rust rats, the third wheel pivot does tend to rust the most.
Perhaps @Archer might know if they trend to wear more then other third wheels.
At the moment these third wheels and rotor bearings turn up often in the secondary markets. Downside is that they are often from parts watches or scrapped out movements sold by estate sellers.
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tt500
·Thanks WIcutter, Archer and sheepdoll for your information and guidance. It is really helpful! The more I learn about the watch from everyone here makes me feel very lucky to be its caretaker. Thanks again everyone for generously sharing your knowledge.
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tt500
·Because of all the great help I received here I thought I should give an update on the Captain's Seamaster. As suggested, I took it to an Omega dealer and had them only polish the crystal and
install the two stretch link springs. It was so helpful to be able to go there with knowledge about its age, movement, bracelet and even the part number for the spring! I think it made a big difference on how everything went there. Now the crystal looks great and all 5 stretch links are functioning. Thanks again everyone! I did have one other question. In one of the posts this was mentioned "Just FYI - being a Cal. 500 series and a "Bienne only" caliber. " Does that mean the movement was only made there?
install the two stretch link springs. It was so helpful to be able to go there with knowledge about its age, movement, bracelet and even the part number for the spring! I think it made a big difference on how everything went there. Now the crystal looks great and all 5 stretch links are functioning. Thanks again everyone! I did have one other question. In one of the posts this was mentioned "Just FYI - being a Cal. 500 series and a "Bienne only" caliber. " Does that mean the movement was only made there?
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Dan S
·I can't recall what has already been covered in this thread, but if you want to have the watch serviced, my recommendation would be to seek out a well-trained independent watchmaker who has extensive experience with vintage watches.
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SOG53
·Because of all the great help I received here I thought I should give an update on the Captain's Seamaster. As suggested, I took it to an Omega dealer and had them only polish the crystal and
install the two stretch link springs. It was so helpful to be able to go there with knowledge about its age, movement, bracelet and even the part number for the spring! I think it made a big difference on how everything went there. Now the crystal looks great and all 5 stretch links are functioning. Thanks again everyone! I did have one other question. In one of the posts this was mentioned "Just FYI - being a Cal. 500 series and a "Bienne only" caliber. " Does that mean the movement was only made there?
Lovely Seamaster ! My 2846 from 1958 (but without the big logo) sends Seasons Greetings
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Radius321
·lovely watch enjoy it
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tt500
·Thanks Dan, I will remember that.
I believe that means that the Swatch Service Center in your country would send it to Switzerland instead of servicing it locally.
I can't recall what has already been covered in this thread, but if you want to have the watch serviced, my recommendation would be to seek out a well-trained independent watchmaker who has extensive experience with vintage watches.
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tt500
·Thanks for sharing the pictures, like your hour markers!
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bgrisso
·Because of all the great help I received here I thought I should give an update on the Captain's Seamaster. As suggested, I took it to an Omega dealer and had them only polish the crystal and
install the two stretch link springs. It was so helpful to be able to go there with knowledge about its age, movement, bracelet and even the part number for the spring! I think it made a big difference on how everything went there. Now the crystal looks great and all 5 stretch links are functioning. Thanks again everyone! I did have one other question. In one of the posts this was mentioned "Just FYI - being a Cal. 500 series and a "Bienne only" caliber. " Does that mean the movement was only made there?
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tt500
·Thanks, I was very lucky to inherit the Captain's watch.
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