Also looking for a 1998 birth year watch for my son, this one might be close, help?

larryganz · Jun 30, 2014

In addition to looking for a 1962 birth year watch for myself, I am looking for one for my son who was born in 1998.

I found an excellent condition all original Speedmaster Automatic (reduced?) with serial number 57298746, but all the charts I found stop at 1998 with the serial number in the 56 million range, so I missed it by >< this much. Only in 1984 and 1986 did the serial numbers span 2 years - 1984 (46-47 million) and 1986 (49-50 million). After that it took 2-3 years for the serial numbers to jump to the next million.

For instance 51 million serial number covered 1989-1990 (they skipped 52 million), a 54 million serial number covered 1993-1994, and a 55 million serial number covered multiple years 1995-1997. So, for Omega to jump to 57 million before the end of 1998 would be unlikely.

Should I give up on this being his birth year watch and move on?
Can someone confirm the year from this SN, even though all the charts I find end at 1998/56 Million?\

Thanks!

dsio · Jun 30, 2014

Those are piggyback chronographs and for that reason I'd go with one of the 7750 based Speedmasters or Seamasters or a Calibre 1120 powered watch

larryganz · Jun 30, 2014

Okay, thanks. He's more of a blue Seamaster fan anyway.

Also, do you think the lume on a 1998 era Seamaster Pro will be halfway decent (or was it Seamaster 300 back then, I'd have to look)? I'm not sure that's a deal breaker for him, and he's not too concerned about re-doing the lume on a watch that isn't as collectable as something like a Speedmaster Pro moon watch. But if it lit up for even 3-6 hours after charging with a flashlight before bedtime he'd be happy as is. He's got other watches for diving, and this would be his nice watch for daily wear instead of his Citizen chronograph or his 2 dive watches.

He actually liked several of the 1962 solid gold Omegas I was looking at the other day, which surprised me, so I don't have to rule out other Omega watches yet.

MikiJ · Jun 30, 2014

IMHO a SMP 2254 or 2054, same watch different bracelet, would be perfect for a teenage boy. Pretty much bullet-proof from the bracelet, case, crystal to the movement. These a hard to beat, especially for the bucks.

larryganz · Jun 30, 2014

Thanks, I'll do a search for something like that when I get home.

Privateday7 · Jun 30, 2014

MikiJ
IMHO a SMP 2254 or 2054, same watch different bracelet, would be perfect for a teenage boy. Pretty much bullet-proof from the bracelet, case, crystal to the movement. These a hard to beat, especially for the bucks.

+1. A 2254.50 or Great White or Electric blue SMP 300 are very good choice.

larryganz · Jun 30, 2014

Fairly sure he wants electric blue. The kicker is I buy it now and wear it for 2 years until graduation, and then pass it down to him. What if I fall in love with it? 🤔

dsio · Jun 30, 2014

Was the electric blue made in 1998?

larryganz · Jun 30, 2014

Well, I don't see any on eBay, so... Unfortunately you also can't figure out the age of most modern watches on eBay without emailing the seller. Idiots don't even know how to please their customers.

NT931 · Jul 1, 2014

Privateday7
+1. A 2254.50 or Great White or Electric blue SMP 300 are very good choice.

+1. Not only are they durable and visually attractive, they're also easy and not too expensive to service.

Privateday7 · Jul 1, 2014

NT931
+1. Not only are they durable and visually attractive, they're also easy and not too expensive to service.

Almost all watchmaker could service the Cal 1120/ ETA 2892 (some says with closed eyes 😉). Cal 2500 is different animal, I think only Omega trained watchmaker could handle the delicate of coaxial escapement (Al, tell me if I am wrong). Cal 8500 would be totally different beast.

larryganz · Jul 1, 2014

Well, the biggest problem is when I found 13 of the model 2254.50 on eBay for instance, I could only determine the age/date on 2 of them. Nobody seems to think the age of the watch is important. So, I will start looking here and on other forums, because I'm disgusted with eBay. I take a year long break from eBay and its even worse than ever. I can't even describe everything that is wrong there, including too many shills, thieves, and idiots. It makes the good guys there look bad, by virtue of the company they keep.

MikiJ · Jul 1, 2014

Try Watch Sales on this Forum. Kringkily, a very well respected seller, has a couple of 2254.50's currently for sale. He may be able to help you with their birthdays.

NT931 · Jul 1, 2014

And there's always Watchrecon too as an additional search tool

larryganz · Jul 1, 2014

This would have been perfect, but it was already sold.

http://omegaforums.net/threads/omeg-smp-bond-quartz-2541-80-eu-sale-preferred.12205/#post-140834

PS: My son once said quartz is okay, as long as it's Omega. I'd still prefer an automatic SMP for him, or a manual wind Speedy although he's more of a SMP guy.

larryganz · Jul 2, 2014

Found a Speedmaster Broad Arrow 145.0222 re-issue with serial number starting with 4836 that the Roman Hartmann charts puts at 1998 if the watch is a 145.0022 - does this small difference in model number (extra zero less two's) make a difference in dating the watch? It looks to be in excellent condition but it's also a little over $2400 and I don't what it's worth. The is no make offer option, although I can send the buyer a message anyway.

What do you guys think?

I also left a message with Kringkily asking to be notified if he finds a 1998 Omega or other fine watch.

larryganz · Jul 2, 2014

Bueller?

Bueller?

My last post, need help?