Advice on a 1954 Seamaster

Omega Experts,
I'm a new member who recently was given my father's Omega Seamaster that he bought in 1954 in Cyprus. It has been sitting in a drawer for the last 40ish years and I'm not aware of whether it's ever been serviced. I'm sending it off to get checked at one of the shops I found recommended in this forum and I'm seeking your expert advice on what to approve being done to it and what to reject. Based on what I've read so far, I shouldn't have the case machine buffed but ultrasonic cleaning is fine, right?

The crystal has some scratches but nothing significant. Should those be polished out or left alone?

I expect it to be serviced, oiled, new seal, and checked for accuracy. Anything else you recommend?

Below are pics of the watch. I'm looking forward to getting it back from the shop in a few weeks and wearing it proudly.







Thanks so much for your help. I've learned a lot by reading the various threads and am amazed at the amount of information you all have provided.

Hi @GWahoo and welcome.

I also have nothing to add, but would be curious to know the size of your watch. Like @padders mentioned, if your Seamaster is without the crown 36mm large, it would raise the collectibility and rarity of your watch even further. Can you measure it?

I particularly love Seamasters from the 50s, and have never ever seen anything like your watch. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!

This is a spectacular hand-me-down. Chronometre grade Seamasters are quite rare and your's is in great condition. Good on you for having it serviced - polishing the crystal is perfectly fine. Enjoy this special watch - your father had great taste!

Wow! Thanks for the abundance of positive responses and information. I'm so glad I posted here but sorry for the duplicate pics in my first post.

I'm not sure where it was purchased, my mother assumes it was at a jewelry store but doesn't know for sure. I think it's 36mm (see pic below) but I'll have the watchmaker measure it when he receives it. Also, below is a better view of the scratches on the crystal.

Can you give me a sense of its value so that I can add it to my insurance policy?

That's a beauty. It's hard to put a value on these as they don't often come up for sale, but I have the smaller (34mm) 2767 Seamaster chronometre on 5-row BOR bracelet in pretty good condition, and if I were selling I wouldn't take less than £850 for it.

It probably isn't worth enough to add it to your insurance. It is probably well below the limit in any homeowner or tenant policy.

A proper service of a water-resistant watch requires caseback gasket, crown, and crystal replacement. Collectors faint when you suggest that but you might not mind. That crown is still available new, and sometimes the crown tube is worn and needs replacement as well.

It's up to you what you decide, but I encourage the resealing for water resistance, because it also keeps dust out of the movement, and parts for those movements are few and far between.