1961 Seamaster mystery watch

Private_Doberman · Aug 20, 2015

Could anybody please help with any information about my 1961 14ct gold Cal 552 Seamaster apparently made for the American market that does not have a seconds/minute track on its very clean textured dial, which I find puzzling.

Secondly the case back lacks the Seahorse emblem which I understand was introduced in 1960 the year previous to the manufacture of this watch. Any information would be much appreciated.

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$T2eC16Z,!)EE9s2uiP,4BSBMD),UTQ~~60_58.JPG

Sgt_Bilko · Aug 20, 2015

I don't know the answer to your question but I've just found a Constellation online with no second/minute tracks on the dial at Jackmond. http://jackmond.com/collections/ome...6-constellation-18kt-white-gold-vintage-watch

Tiny Iota · Aug 20, 2015

While it doesn't answer your question really, it looks like the rotor is rubbing on the inside of the caseback, which means it'll need a service, although maybe this is old damage and it's since been fixed of course.

CanberraOmega · Aug 20, 2015

Hello and welcome.

The answer is "made for the American market". The cases were made in the US, by agents for Omega. They had a lot of latitude on how to design cases.

Secondly, I'm not sure if solid gold seamasters had the hippocampus (seahorse), and even if they did, this one could have been a 'presentation'watch - ie designed to have an engraving on the back for a retirement, etc.

CanberraOmega · Aug 20, 2015

CanberraOmega
Hello and welcome.

The answer is "made for the American market". The cases were made in the US, by agents for Omega. They had a lot of latitude on how to design cases.

Secondly, I'm not sure if solid gold seamasters had the hippocampus (seahorse), and even if they did, this one could have been a 'presentation'watch - ie designed to have an engraving on the back for a retirement, etc.

I take back my point about US made. This was a Swiss made case.

Sgt_Bilko · Aug 20, 2015

Wouldn't it say Swiss made inside the case if that was the situation? I am curious how you can tell this case is Swiss made.

gatorcpa · Aug 20, 2015

Sgt_Bilko
Wouldn't it say Swiss made inside the case if that was the situation?

It would.

I think this is a locally made case. I can't tell you where it was made. The US ones usually have a makers mark and statement of fineness on the outside, usually between the top lugs. I don't see any Swiss responsibility marks, or UK hallmarks either. The reference number "166.7070" isn't going to show up on the Omega Vintage Database, although many times the other markets used similar case reference numbers to the Swiss Omega system.

The OP is going to need to do further research on Google and other sources to determine what it is. I have seen made up references on some fake cases for Constellations, but not on a Seamaster.

Another Omega mystery,
gatorcpa

Private_Doberman · Aug 21, 2015

gatorcpa
It would.

I think this is a locally made case. I can't tell you where it was made. The US ones usually have a makers mark and statement of fineness on the outside, usually between the top lugs. I don't see any Swiss responsibility marks, or UK hallmarks either. The reference number "166.7070" isn't going to show up on the Omega Vintage Database, although many times the other markets used similar case reference numbers to the Swiss Omega system.

The OP is going to need to do further research on Google and other sources to determine what it is. I have seen made up references on some fake cases for Constellations, but not on a Seamaster.

Another Omega mystery,
gatorcpa

Thank you very much indeed for this information. It makes me smile to know that I am the proud owner of an Omega mystery watch ! Hopefully the mystery will be solved in the not too distant future. Thanks again.

Sgt_Bilko · Aug 21, 2015

The missing second tracks must make this very rare indeed. I've only ever seen one other Omega like that, which was the Constellation I mentioned earlier in the thread.

1961 Seamaster mystery watch

Private_Doberman

Sgt_Bilko

Tiny Iota

CanberraOmega

CanberraOmega

Sgt_Bilko

gatorcpa

Private_Doberman

Sgt_Bilko

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