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

  1. Astiegan May 1, 2018

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    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!

    IMG_20180501_165443.jpg IMG_20180501_165453.jpg IMG_20180501_165506.jpg IMG_20180501_165532.jpg IMG_20180501_165542.jpg IMG_20180501_165615.jpg IMG_20180501_145618.jpg IMG_20180501_145636.jpg IMG_20180501_145646.jpg
     
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  2. Dan S May 1, 2018

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    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)?]
     
    Edited May 1, 2018
  3. jumpingsecond May 1, 2018

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    Good ol' shoot 1st ask later impulse buy! :p 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-
    IMG_20180406_081719_643.jpg
     
  4. Tony C. Ωf Jury member May 1, 2018

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    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.

    [​IMG]
     
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  5. jimmyd13 May 1, 2018

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    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.
     
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  6. Astiegan May 2, 2018

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    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!

    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.

    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?

    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.
     
  7. Dan S May 2, 2018

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    The caliber is on the movement. You might have to move the bumper mechanism around to find it.
     
  8. Astiegan May 2, 2018

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    Found it under the balance wheel! It's a 28.10RA SC PC, or 350 for it's nickname :)
     
  9. Dan S May 2, 2018

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  10. Astiegan May 4, 2018

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    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...
     
  11. GabeL. Aug 1, 2018

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    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. 169C54E1-EDCC-4119-8519-849F34A1106E.jpeg 6DEDD7E9-34A5-40A3-A19A-F0FA1C3C9CDF.jpeg E577AE0E-1EAC-451B-8EA3-F01CCE6AF948.jpeg
     
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  12. ConElPueblo Aug 2, 2018

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    @Tony C. might want to comment this one :thumbsup:

    I'd say it looks correct (and attractive), but that the movement has been treated harshly...
     
  13. BenBagbag Aug 2, 2018

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    Think maybe it's been relumed? I'd want to see it in different lighting.
     
  14. Astiegan Aug 2, 2018

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    Interesting one! The second hand is a bit short no?
     
  15. Tony C. Ωf Jury member Aug 2, 2018

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    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.

    [​IMG]
     
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  16. grangerpotter Sep 16, 2019

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    • 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!
     
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  17. ConElPueblo Sep 16, 2019

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    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.
     
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  18. grangerpotter Sep 16, 2019

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    Thanks very much ConElPueblo, much appreciated.

    Seller has sent a clearer close up photo of movement - please see attached. Does it help?
     
    Screenshot_20190916-201834.jpg
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  19. ConElPueblo Sep 16, 2019

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    Yep - sadly the dial is much too young for that serial.
     
  20. ConElPueblo Sep 16, 2019

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    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.