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  1. xinu Sep 26, 2013

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    I'm looking to buy my first vintage watch to wear daily and hoping to get some recommendations.
    I would like to get an early 1950s Seamaster manual wind, no date, centre second, light colour dial, reasonably accurate movement and leather strap. I have a $1000 US budget.

    I have seen many examples on eBay etc and most have been refurbished with new dials and plastic crystals ranging from 500-1000 $s. Is it reasonable to expect that I can find an original condition good looking serviced reliable watch for a grand? If so what should I be looking for?
     
  2. ulackfocus Sep 26, 2013

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    Manual wind? There were some Seamaster 30's and 600's in the early 60's that were hand crankers, but in the early 50's the line was powered primarily by automatic bumper calibers.
     
  3. xinu Sep 26, 2013

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    Interesting. I've seen both bumper and manual advertised as being from the '50s. It seemed to me one of the manual movements was cal. 283.

    I want to wind it to remind me of what is was like back then.
     
  4. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Sep 26, 2013

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    Yes.. I have some Seamasters in my collection powered by 283
     
  5. ulackfocus Sep 26, 2013

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    Yes, but do they come from the early 1950's? I thought these were all late 50's models. The 283 wasn't introduced until the mid 50's (1955?). Besides, most caliber 283 models didn't have Seamaster on the dial.
     
  6. hoipolloi Vintage Omega Connoisseur Sep 26, 2013

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    They have Seamaster on the dial,

    Did I say they were from "early 1950's?".
     
  7. xinu Sep 26, 2013

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    The 283 was said to be a low to mid quality movement. Can you comment on how well it would perform some 50 yeas later to power a watch I would wear every day? Is that worthy movement in a $1000 stainless watch?
     
  8. 124watchfan Sep 26, 2013

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    It will be as good as the watchmaker keeping it ticking.
     
  9. xinu Sep 26, 2013

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    Ok I see where you're going. Well is there a manual movement from the 50s that might require less attention for the watchmaker.
     
  10. ulackfocus Sep 26, 2013

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    With proper servicing, pocket watches that are 150 years old still run well.

    Most Omega watches I've owned (Constellations, Seamasters, Genèves - all automatics) easily beat COSC specs. The caliber 564's all kept within a +3 / -2 and one of them gained an average of only 1 second a day and never deviated more than a second either way. The 50's and 60's Omega calibers are really a testament to how good the brand was at mass producing quality movements.
     
  11. 124watchfan Sep 26, 2013

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    Nothing wrong with the 283. Most all of the omega manual winds from this era were pedestrian but reliable and will outlive you. The only issue down the road will be parts. Not much of an issue now.
     
  12. xinu Sep 26, 2013

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    Thanks for that. Maybe I should consider auto powered then. I figured that manual might be more reliable.
     
  13. xinu Sep 26, 2013

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    Should I expect a better movement in a $1K stainless watch?
     
  14. ulackfocus Sep 26, 2013

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    There are less parts to service and replace on a manual wind. Accuracy isn't too different between auto and manual.
     
  15. Time Exposure coordinates his cast with his car's paint job Sep 26, 2013

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    I thought the 26x and 28x movements were based on the cal. 30, which won several awards for accuracy from the observatories? How could that be low- to mid-quality? Aged design perhaps, but some (including Omega) consider the 30 one of the most perfect manual wind movements made.
    And manual wind movements have fewer moving parts, which should translate to increased reliability, and ease (lower cost?) of service. I think you're on the right track with a 28x. And while the watch itself may not date from early 50's, the style often will.
     
  16. 124watchfan Sep 26, 2013

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    These are great pieces. Manual wind early 60s cal269. Easily found under $1000

    image.jpg
     
  17. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Sep 26, 2013

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    I think its more that for similar money most people would prefer a 300 series or 500 series automatic, even more so a chronometer, but certainly there's nothing low quality about it at all.
     
  18. xinu Sep 27, 2013

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    That watch looks wonderful and is exactly what I'm looking for.

    Thanks to all for your advice. Hopefully I can seek you input as narrow down my search.
     
  19. xinu Sep 27, 2013

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    Can anyone tell me what type of crystals were used in that era?

    I see many of the refurbished Seamasters have had the crystals replaced with acrylic ones. It would think that a Safire crystal would be more authentic.
     
  20. ulackfocus Sep 27, 2013

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    Omega's crystals were acrylic, specifically Hesalite.