1958 Omega Seamaster 520 Cal

Hi All,

My first post here and am glad to finally be a member after years of stalking this site!

I bought this watch last week at a watch fair here in London. I saw it and was instantly smitten. The seller was a dealer who I felt I trusted (could be wrong of course) and I was happy with the price of £800, although I am sure you will all tell me if I overpaid.

The watch has hallmarks on the interior of the caseback and the 1 o'clock lug which show that it is 9 carat gold. Although to my eyes it looks kind of rose gold, but I imagine this is due to the ageing of the watch.

I am by no means an expert and I know vintage Omega's are an absolute minefield but I wanted to ask for people's general thoughts on the watch and parts that are original. The crown looks like a replacement to me as the tone of the gold is more yellow. The claps I have no reason to doubt and has the hallmarks of MWF and 9 carat Birmingham stamp. I believe the dial to be original as it looks very crisp to me under a loupe. I am wondering however if the minute hands have been changed as the second hand appears to have much more surface rust than the minute hands. The sapphire also has the omega logo when I look under the loupe and a bit of hazing so this may be original.

I took the caeback off earlier and thought I had taken a photo but I foolishly had not. The number on the calibre 520 (168XXXX or something like that) suggests that it is is a 1958 production. With the engraving on the caseback being from 1962 I wonder if this watch sat in the jewellers window for 3 or 4 years?

P.S. What do people think the "Pat applied for" on the caseback means?

Again, I would just like your thoughts on the piece. It fits my dinky wrists perfectly and even though it is 9K only it is lovely to have such a simple and pretty watch, even if it is not very desirable.

Thanks again for your help and good to be here!

Jordan

The patent applied for is because it is Dennison’s own case design - presumably waterproof as it is for a Seamaster.

If you didn’t know, to avoid heavy import tax on precious metals, Omega had local companies produce gold cases for them.

The Birmingham date letter puts the case production at 1959

Thank you both for your helpful replies. Would either of you recommend a good watchmaker in the uk who could perhaps clean the dial and look at getting rid of the corrosion on the second hand?

Nice coathanger- Seamaster 👍. good catch!

For a watchmaker, you could try @Mitka or Watchguy - both members here and both recommended and both reasonably priced.

The strong recommendation would be to leave the dial alone with nothing more than ‘an angel’s breath’ dusting ( it doesn’t look as though it needs cleaning)

Just have the movement serviced.

And no polishing of the case.

The seconds hand might be able to be replated but you might be better off getting a close match replacement - ask whichever watchmaker you choose for their advice.

FYI members habitually post their watches for service - just make sure it is packaged well.

Very nice watch!