1962 Seamaster 30 Cal. 269 Linen dial

Tiny Iota · Jul 29, 2014

Hi folks

This is my latest purchase on which I would love your opinion.

I know I should have got it checked out by you guys first, but it was a quick-decision thing and I took a chance for a pretty modest outlay. As such, feel free to sock it to me if I made a howler.

Its a 1962 Seamaster 30 with a linen dial, cal 269, ref 14389. I put the ref into the Omega database and the picture there had different hands, so I think they may not be original on mine, and I have my suspicions it may also be a redial.

Hopefully the photos are good enough.

Cheers

ulackfocus · Jul 29, 2014

I've seen those come with both the pencil hands as you have and the dauphine hands so you're good there - but it is a redial. A nice one, but still refinished. You can tell by the SWISS MADE - it's centered under the 6:00 lime dot by the space, and not the whole phrase. It's also just a smidge too high. Normally it would be only just visible or partially obscured by the crystal retainer ring.

Fritz · Jul 29, 2014

redial or not.... it sure is pretty. AND its a 30mm movement..... does life get better than that?

Tiny Iota · Jul 30, 2014

Thanks for your replies.

Seems like I got a good one then (if you're not too much of a purist with regards to the redial). When I unwrapped it, it just seemed so new-feeling, so light and clean, I did worry for a few beats that it may have been dodgy, but I am glad it's positive.

One thing though, its incredibly difficult to wind. You really have to but your back into it. I'm not too worried about this, as I have read on other posts about other difficult to wind watches, especially after a service (which I do not know if this has had). I first wound it at the same time as the TDMP, and then went to wind it the following day. The TDMP was still ticking away but the Seamaster had stopped, so I obviously hadn't given it enough turns as I thought it had reached its natural stopping point.

I was also a little worried as the crown seemed to turn back on itself a little bit after each turn towards the end, so I stopped winding it. Does this sound healthy or normal?

Thanks again

JimInOz · Jul 30, 2014

When I saw your pics last night I thought your click was off (the little ratchet that stops the big cog from unwinding).

Let me check on that.

JimInOz · Jul 30, 2014

No, looks OK.

If you are capable, you can remove the movement and see if the watch winds freely out of the case. If it does it probably means the crown seals are rather tight. If it still seems stiff I'd get it to a watchmaker. Maybe it just needs the smallest film of silicon on the seals.

Lovely example for a wearer too!

John R Smith · Jul 30, 2014

Tiny Iota
One thing though, its incredibly difficult to wind. You really have to but your back into it. I'm not too worried about this, as I have read on other posts about other difficult to wind watches, especially after a service (which I do not know if this has had). I first wound it at the same time as the TDMP, and then went to wind it the following day. The TDMP was still ticking away but the Seamaster had stopped, so I obviously hadn't given it enough turns as I thought it had reached its natural stopping point.

I was also a little worried as the crown seemed to turn back on itself a little bit after each turn towards the end, so I stopped winding it. Does this sound healthy or normal?

Thanks again

With these 30mm movements (26x and 28x) the crown should indeed spring back slightly as you release the tension on the crown at the end of each wind. If this little kick-back is sluggish the movement needs a service. If you remove the case back and watch the ratchet wheel and click as you wind the crown, you will see what happens. It should take about 35 to 40 winds from totally wound-down to be fully wound, and when it is fully wound you will feel the crown come to a dead stop. Stiff winding (and setting) is often caused by new crown seals, as Jim explains. Sometimes they bind up on the tube, and I have found a tiny drop of silicon polish dropped into the rear of the crown from a fine oiling pin will often sort this out. You do this with the crown pulled out into the setting position.

124watchfan · Jul 30, 2014

Not totally convinced it is a redial. The swissmade on my 269 is at nearly an identical location where the w in Swiss and the d in made line up to the 31 and 29 ticks. The movement is clean and the script is perfect. The only thing that may signal redial to me is the thickness of the type but I've seen thicker original font on linen dials before. And the omega is a thinner typeset which is not normally replicated perfectly with redials. You may need a watchmaker to confirm. It is a nice piece.

Togri · Jul 30, 2014

I like it very much. Here is my cal. 285 for comparison (if it serves any purpose). Excuse Apple's poor picture quality 😀

View attachment 67908 View attachment 67909

Togri · Jul 30, 2014

I btw think that the writing looks the same on yours and mine, so I'm gonna go with original dial.

gatorcpa · Jul 30, 2014

Yeah, I'll go with original also. It's very hard to reproduce that type of textured dial at a reasonable cost.
gatorcpa

Tiny Iota · Jul 30, 2014

Togri
I like it very much. Here is my cal. 285 for comparison (if it serves any purpose). Excuse Apple's poor picture quality 😀

View attachment 67908 View attachment 67909

Wow, I'm glad it seems like it might be original after all, and at the very least, I'm glad its creating good debate. Thanks for all your feedback. And Togri, your pictures don't seem to be working, although Mods, I like the grumpy cat placeholder...humorous cats on the internet, who'd have thought?!
Cheers 🍺

Togri · Jul 31, 2014

Here we go again:

Togri · Jul 31, 2014

And again, sorry for the bad pic 🤦

speedbird · Aug 1, 2014

The SM30 is one of my favorites. Own one myself

1962 Seamaster 30 Cal. 269 Linen dial

Tiny Iota

ulackfocus

Fritz

Tiny Iota

JimInOz

JimInOz

John R Smith

124watchfan

Togri

Togri

gatorcpa

Tiny Iota

Togri

Togri

speedbird

Similar threads

1962 Seamaster Chronograph 105.001-62

1962 Omega Seamaster 14763 w uncommon diagonal linen dial Cal. 562 & BOR 8220/11

1962 Seamaster... authenticity and pricing.

Advice on omega seamaster 30 cal 286

worth buying? 1962 seamaster black and gold

Advice on servicing Omega Seamaster 30 cal 286