A Bumper Jumbo 2657 / 2494SC with unusual dial. Opinions?

Astiegan · May 1, 2018

Hello,

I got this watch today after a very fast buy that didn't let me much time to think about it (let say 10 seconds between the time I see the ad and the purchase). Everything seems fine to me but I couldn't find any picture of a similar dial so I wanted to know if some of you know about it and it's originality?

The ad was very poor. Only two pictures and the description was basically "I sell my old Omega" which I have to admit gave me some kind of trust, picturing an old guy who had the watch all his life and thought it was time to let it go despite all the memories attached. (that's what happens when I only allow myself a couple of seconds to think)

So I took the risk and I think it worth it. It's actually a "jumbo" 36mm with a bumper movement. Serial 1086xxxx and case 2657 / 2494 SC. It's in very good condition with a strong but even patina on the dial.

I did some research today but all I could find is similar dials with the numbers 12 3 6 9 but never these big lume indexes, except in the archives, but the minute track was on the outside of the indexes and not inside like this one.

Also, do you know what movement this is? I saw that there are many variations and I don't know how to identify exactly which one it is.

Thank you very much!

Dan S · May 1, 2018

Should say "Seamaster" on the dial, no? Also, the OVD puts this reference at 1949, but this movement is earlier. I think this watch may have been tampered with a bit. Perhaps just a swapped case-back.

Can you verify the caliber, I can't see it in those photos.

[Edit: this is just something I don't understand and I'd love to know the answer. There are two reference numbers in the case-back, and if you look in the OVD, one has a seconds sub-dial and one has a sweep hand. Does that simply mean that they made this case-back for two different variants? One with sub-seconds and one with center seconds (SC)?]

jumpingsecond · May 1, 2018

Good ol' shoot 1st ask later impulse buy! 😜 Your dial may have gone under some kind of chemical treatment /cleaning.

The movement is possibly a cal 351 like mine. Same ref. no numerals on the dial. Agree with Dan S that your movement might be a bit too early bc mine is 13xxx-

Tony C. · May 1, 2018

This is one of my favourite vintage Omega dial variations. I own several, including two 333 chronometres. I would say that they are on the uncommon side of the spectrum of dials, but certainly out there.

jimmyd13 · May 1, 2018

Radium burns to the dial; exposed springs on the bumper; 10,8xxxxx movement ... yeah ... 1944/5.

Two readable service marks in the caseback dated 1942 and 1949? ... hmm

It actually looks really good to me.

Astiegan · May 2, 2018

I just got an answer from the seller. He had it as his "first good watch" in the sixties... and can't tell me more. Not a very talkative person!

jimmyd13
Radium burns to the dial; exposed springs on the bumper; 10,8xxxxx movement ... yeah ... 1944/5.

Two readable service marks in the caseback dated 1942 and 1949? ... hmm

It actually looks really good to me.

Thanks
Do you think it's still radium or it could have been replaced over time?
I think the dates can be 92 and 99.

Tony C.
This is one of my favourite vintage Omega dial variations. I own several, including two 333 chronometres. I would say that they are on the uncommon side of the spectrum of dials, but certainly out there.

Thank you! Indeed yours is identical except the sub seconds. So it confirms it's genuine. What ref. number(s) do you have on this one?

Dan S
Should say "Seamaster" on the dial, no? Also, the OVD puts this reference at 1949, but this movement is earlier. I think this watch may have been tampered with a bit. Perhaps just a swapped case-back.

Can you verify the caliber, I can't see it in those photos.

[Edit: this is just something I don't understand and I'd love to know the answer. There are two reference numbers in the case-back, and if you look in the OVD, one has a seconds sub-dial and one has a sweep hand. Does that simply mean that they made this case-back for two different variants? One with sub-seconds and one with center seconds (SC)?]

I have the same situation with a 1956 Seamaster that has the ref. 2846 3 SC and 2848. I guess they made same case back for different references for cost saving reasons. But only between two models with obvious differences like the central/sub second so you know easily which one it is.

Is the caliber number written somwhere on these movements? I can't find it.

Dan S · May 2, 2018

The caliber is on the movement. You might have to move the bumper mechanism around to find it.

Astiegan · May 2, 2018

Dan S
The caliber is on the movement. You might have to move the bumper mechanism around to find it.

Found it under the balance wheel! It's a 28.10RA SC PC, or 350 for it's nickname 😀

Dan S · May 2, 2018

Should be 351 or 354 for this reference, which is consistent with the concern about the serial number (from 1944) pre-dating the reference (starting in 1949). Either something has been swapped, or the OVD is wrong about this reference.

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-ck-2494

Astiegan · May 4, 2018

Dan S
Should be 351 or 354 for this reference, which is consistent with the concern about the serial number (from 1944) pre-dating the reference (starting in 1949). Either something has been swapped, or the OVD is wrong about this reference.

https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-ck-2494

The reference relates to the case or also the dial? The one you linked is very close, just the minute track not at the same place.

So the conclusion would be that at some point the movement has been replaced by an older one. Maybe at the time the previous owner bought it in the sixties...

GabeL. · Aug 1, 2018

I hope I’m not breaking forum etiquette by reviving an old thread with my first post, but I recently picked up a watch with the same reference number, 2657-1/2494. The movement is 333, with a serial number dating to 1950. The person I bought it from told me he serviced it and replaced the crystal and tension ring (I think that’s what it’s called) himself...I’m curious how much of this watch is original, if any, or if it’s just made up of various parts he had laying around his shop. Either way, it’s keeping good time and I like it.

ConElPueblo · Aug 2, 2018

G GabeL.
I hope I’m not breaking forum etiquette by reviving an old thread with my first post, but I recently picked up a watch with the same reference number, 2657-1/2494. The movement is 333, with a serial number dating to 1950. The person I bought it from told me he serviced it and replaced the crystal and tension ring (I think that’s what it’s called) himself...I’m curious how much of this watch is original, if any, or if it’s just made up of various parts he had laying around his shop. Either way, it’s keeping good time and I like it.

@Tony C. might want to comment this one 👍

I'd say it looks correct (and attractive), but that the movement has been treated harshly...

BenBagbag · Aug 2, 2018

Think maybe it's been relumed? I'd want to see it in different lighting.

Astiegan · Aug 2, 2018

Interesting one! The second hand is a bit short no?

Tony C. · Aug 2, 2018

Looks correct to me. I have two 333 chronometres with similar dials (one pictured below), albeit without the "Seamaster", which is uncommon. The signatures all look fine, as do the hands (in terms of style and length).

Yes, an apparent re-lume, but still a very nice watch, and not an easy model to find. Congratulations!

EDIT: The OP's model also looks fine.

grangerpotter · Sep 16, 2019

Hi everyone, newbie here and in need of some help. I'm looking at buying this piece which coincidentally has almost the exact model number as OP's watch but as I'm not an expert in vintage Omega watches, I'm hoping for some help. I've done some homework - the model number stamped on the case back seems legit but it may not match the movement or the dial? I've looked at literally hundreds of different Omega vintage watches but can't seem to find any model with these exact hands.
1) What model is this watch (assuming it is legit and has not been cobbled and franken together using dial, movement, caseback, hands from different models), i.e. is this an authentic piece?
2) Does the dial, movement, hands and caseback all match up to the model?
3) Does the movement look to be in good condition? Seller said watch has just been serviced.
4) Will that dial stay the way it is or will it change over time?
Moderators, I'm new to the forum, if this post isn't allowed, please let me know what I need to do.
Thanks everyone for your help!

ConElPueblo · Sep 16, 2019

No worries, @grangerpotter you're doing alright 😀

Can you tell us what the serial number on the movement says? Like you, I have some doubts as to the correctness of the hands/dial.

grangerpotter · Sep 16, 2019

ConElPueblo
No worries, @grangerpotter you're doing alright 😀

Can you tell us what the serial number on the movement says? Like you, I have some doubts as to the correctness of the hands/dial.

Thanks very much ConElPueblo, much appreciated.

Seller has sent a clearer close up photo of movement - please see attached. Does it help?

ConElPueblo · Sep 16, 2019

Yep - sadly the dial is much too young for that serial.

ConElPueblo · Sep 16, 2019

Btw, note also there is no gasket in the groove around the caseback opening; any halfway decent watchmaker would put one in after a completed service.

A Bumper Jumbo 2657 / 2494SC with unusual dial. Opinions?

Astiegan

Dan S

jumpingsecond

Tony C.

jimmyd13

Astiegan

Dan S

Astiegan

Dan S

Astiegan

GabeL.

ConElPueblo

BenBagbag

Astiegan

Tony C.

grangerpotter

ConElPueblo

grangerpotter

ConElPueblo

ConElPueblo

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