1961 Seamaster Without Minute Track Help?

[JolleyMan]

Hi Guys,

I'm hoping someone might be able to shed some light on this for me. I have a 1961 Seamaster (sorry I don’t have the exact reference) without the minute track. I believe everything else with the movement/dial etc is original, i'm just wondering if Omega did make some watches without the minute track?











Personally I prefer the simplicity of the look without the minute track, but it would be even better to know it was original! If you have anything similar please feel free to share, I'd love to see some more.

Thanks in advance,

Cal

Edited: Apr 5, 2023

 

[Dan S]

Lovely watch, I assume it's gold-capped. It might help to provide the reference.

 

[JolleyMan]

Thank you, it is gold plated.

Unfortunately I don't know the exact reference number (the open back is a picture from when I purchased, I don't dare open the back myself). I presume it is something similar to reference 14761, as this also doesn't have the minute track:

Edited: Apr 5, 2023

 

[Dan S]

JolleyMan

Thank you, it is gold plated.

Unfortunately I don't know the exact reference number (the open back is a picture from when I purchased, I don't dare open the back myself). I presume it is something similar to reference 14761, as this also doesn't have the minute track:

Are you sure it's gold plated, I suspect it's gold-capped. Can you post a photo clearly showing the back of the lugs.

It is not a 14761. The case sort of looks like a 165.010, but I'm not sure the coat-hanger S would be consistent with that reference.

 

[JolleyMan]

Dan S

Are you sure it's gold plated, I suspect it's gold-capped. Can you post a photo clearly showing the back of the lugs.

It is not a 14761. The case sort of looks like a 165.010, but I'm not sure the coat-hanger S would be consistent with that reference.

Sorry you are correct, it is in fact gold capped. The back of the lugs are steel.

 

[hoipolloi]

98% are redialed, 2% are service dials from unknown source.
This one belongs to the first group.

 

[PlainVanilla]

hoipolloi

98% are redialed, 2% are service dials from unknown source.
This one belongs to the first group.

Incorrect. You forgot about the original genuine factory dials without minute markers. As an example, ALL diamond dials on ref. LL 6590-1 come without minute markers.

 

[hoipolloi]

I would call it a service dial.

 

[PlainVanilla]

hoipolloi

I would call it a service dial.

You mean the OP dial?

 

[hoipolloi]

PlainVanilla

You mean the OP dial?

The dial with diamonds.

 

[PlainVanilla]

hoipolloi

The dial with diamonds.

Oh, no. I'm 110% positive it's original. That's a special dial developed specifically for reference LL 6590-1 in its white gold version.

More info here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-a-guide-to-special-dials.151225/

Another example is ref. 14749:

Edited: Apr 5, 2023

 

[JolleyMan]

PlainVanilla

Oh, no. I'm 110% positive it's original. That's a special dial developed specifically for reference LL 6590-1 in its white gold version.

More info here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-a-guide-to-special-dials.151225/

Another example is ref. 14749:

Thanks for the input, It’s good to know there are some originals out there without the minute markers (even if mine is potentially a redial)

Edited: Apr 5, 2023

 

[Vanallard]

Another example

 

[PlainVanilla]

JolleyMan

Thanks for the input, It’s good to know there are some originals out there without the minute markers (even if mine is potentially a redial)

I have no idea if yours is a redial. If it is indeed a redial, it's a very good one and I would need real close up shots of the inscriptions on the dial to decide if it's original or not. But one thing for sure: you can't rule out the originality of an Omega dial based on the absence of minute markers because some (fairly unusual) original dials had no minute markers.

I went fishing in the 'special dials' thread and found quite a lot of them (!):

Original cross dial without minute markers:

The diamond dial for ref. LL 6590-1 I already talked about, two other examples:

A golf ball dial:

Another variation of the golf ball dial, on ref. LL 6590-1 yellow 14k gold case:

The 50's version of the golf ball dial:

The pinstripe/ribbon:

Roman numerals from the late 60s/early 70s:

I don't even know the name of that one:

And there's also that one:

And that one:

All of these dials are original.

Edited: Apr 5, 2023

 

[Shabbaz]

Funny. Saw this one yesterday

 

[X350 XJR]

My vote is original for OPs watch.

 

[noelekal]

I'm voting with you X350 XJR.

There sure is some Omega Seamaster yumminess exhibited in this thread.

Minute indicators here, but added to exhibit the other markings. This one's from a year later, 1962.

 

[PlainVanilla]

X350 XJR

My vote is original for OPs watch.

I'm more leaning towards this too.

noelekal

There sure is some Omega Seamaster yumminess exhibited in this thread.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-seamaster-a-guide-to-special-dials.151225/

Edited: Apr 5, 2023