Hi, all.

I'm considering buying this Seamaster. Caseback reference is 2577-12 SC, and 13M serial number dates it to 1952/53. It's a cal 354 bumper, showing lots of tool marks but recently serviced.

I've looked at many (many!) images of various 2577 variants. Lots of waffle dials, some crosshairs, plenty of repainted examples. So many, in fact, that I'm having a hard time sorting out whether this dial is original or not. So, hoping for some advice here.

I can see that the seconds hand Is wrong; maybe all the hands?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

My feeling is that it is a re-dial and an incorrect minute hand. Seconds hand is broken, not sure about the hour hand ... it could be correct. Better photos would be needed, but I'm also seeing signs of over-polishing.

 

I think it’s probably an original dial - a straight on photo would help. I also don’t remember seeing a two-tone waffle dial with crosshairs but I wouldn’t be surprised if they exist. Here’s a thread with a few similar dials I’ve owned:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/correct-case-2577-2767-for-this-seamaster-waffle-dial.92210/

I agree the case seems to have been pretty heavily polished.

 

Super helpful, thanks guys. The pictures of similar waffle dials were great!

The crosshairs are bugging me just enough, and I'm trying not to be seduced by the (big) bump in the bumper--love that. But for now I will pass it up.

Many thanks again.

 

If it is a redial, it's a pretty good one. Is the vertical cross-hair centered in the logo?. It seems I always have to ask, Price?.

 

Minute markers around 1 and 2 are a bit suspicious.

 

It is genuine in my opinion. The second hand is broken and the minute hand is replaced. Here is a ref 2767-5 with crosshair.

 

Thanks again.

To answer some of the questions--I didn't take a movement pic, but it had the import code. There were lots of scrapes on the plates. It was not a pretty sight, but working fine. And yes, gold-capped.

The watch is in a local shop in Canada, and listed at $650 (that's the USD equivalent). However, I could get it for not much more than gatorcpa has indicated as part of a larger purchase, and I do a LOT of business there. It would include correct replacement hands from the stash and a one-year guarantee.

You would think I'd get tired of these 1950s bumpers by now...I've owned many over the years, and there are a few in the watch box now. But no, not yet and maybe never.

I will likely be on the fence until I see a few others there that I'd like to own, and perhaps pick out one or two of mine as trade possibilities.

Meanwhile, very much appreciate the help.

 

Way easier said than done. I'd bet good money that he doesn't have the correct hands for that watch unless he pulled them off this one himself. (Either way it's a pass, as stated above by others.)

 

The other question was whether the crosshair was centred on the logo. Hard to tell from that picture (not the best) until you blow it up and account for the shadow and some dirt. I'd say it is centred.

Here is a very poor picture of the vintage and not-so-vintage Omegas showing at the shop. There is one Tissot in this picture. Most of these are not collector grade. The best and many much worse (parts) are not in the display. Those are Canadian dollar prices, negotiable to some extent.

 

I get the sense that he likes to buff up the cases a bit.

 

Polishing depends on the watch and the customer, but seldom using a buffing wheel. Watches come to him in every condition as you can imagine, since he will be glad to buy almost any mechanical watch for parts.

The shop serves some wealthy local collectors, a whole bunch of collectors in the mid-ranges (like me), and the general public.

It is quite a place. There are hundreds of NOS watches, medium and better brands, from jewelry stores that were closing and he bought the inventory. Hundreds of used watches, all brands. Thousands of metal bracelets and thousands of straps. Thousands--I do mean thousands--of broken watches.

Here's three stories. First, I was helping a friend deal with a 14K gold 1940s Longines where the square dial had considerable patina. Went to see if it could perhaps be cleaned up a bit. In under a minute, he pulled the exact watch out of a little drawer, and we considered whether its (slightly better) dial would be a better option. Honest, the identical watch.

Next story. Imagine you are looking for a leather strap. You know the lug size and let's say you've narrowed it down to "brown".

So, you get handed a large plastic tub (think three or four shoeboxes worth) full of NOS brown straps with the correct lug size, and invited to find the one you like. In the tub are all price ranges of strap. Leather, reptile, gold buckles, silver buckles...he has these tubs of straps for every lug width from 14 mm up. Lots will have the old price tags still on them.

Third story. I had an old Rolex cal 58 (?) with a tooth missing from the winding wheel. He pulled out a small cabinet drawer that had four of those movements in it, plus some other random movement parts from that calibre. Presto.

The watch community here is so lucky. Vintage watch heaven, and a great guy too.

 

What town is this in?

 

This is Time Sharpening in Ottawa, Canada. Before you start pinging, I'm pretty sure he is extraordinarily reluctant to supply parts.

Google Ashkan Zandi. Neat guy and quite a story.

 

Thx. I’m in Vancouver, but would love to wander through such a place

 

Sounds like paradise .

 

great story! shame every country can't provide such an opportunity, but canada's gain.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/million+horologist/6133217/story.html