first time poster, but I’ve been a lurker here for awhile. I’ve always been fascinated by watches, and am trying to learn about some history. I’ve inherited a couple of older omega’s and am trying to find out a little about them. These watches were the kind that likely sat unloved in the bottom of a junk drawer for decades because the owners don’t have the time to repair them or replace a band, etc. I don’t plan to wear them on a daily basis, but to family occasions to honour their history. I also know they likely aren’t valuable, and that’s fine, although it would be helpful to know values just to determine how far to go with future service costs. First, from my Ukrainian grandfather whom I’ve never met, an older bumper, with considerable patina on the dial, and I believe an aftermarket crown. The caseback looks strange to me. Second, from my Polish grandfather, an older Seamaster ...dial is in nice condition, I also believe this has an aftermarket crown...it has a strange symbol on it, that resembles the “E” in the Epiphone guitar company logo...and again, a strange looking caseback. I’m sorry I don’t know how to open these to see the movement and don’t want to cause damage attempting it, or if they even open from the front. I only have a tool for screw on cases. I’m also sorry for the quality of the pics...it’s tricky getting sufficient lighting without creating shadows with the phone/camera. Both of these are running, I know my aunt had the bumper serviced prior to giving it to me a few years ago, but I don’t know what was entailed. I find it odd that the hands are not consistent between the 2 watches and that there are few similarities really.
Post photos on the forum, nobody wants to click links. https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-posting-guide.383/
Your bumper watch looks like a ref. 2402-1 with cal. 28.10 from the mid to later 40s. I think that crown and hands are wrong. The dial has been poorly redialed (and maybe also cleaned later on). The caseback doesn't look strange to me. Your Seamaster looks like a ref. 166.020 with cal. 552 from the very early 60s, maybe 1962. As you say, the crown is wrong. The hands are matching. The dial is genuine. The caseback isn't a caseback, but the back of the case: This is a unishell (or 'front loader') case. The back has been obviously heavily polished, because it should look somehow like this: And yes, the penultimate of your pictures belongs to the bumper...
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with this detailed response! I was hoping the bumper would be more original but can’t complain because I dont have anything into it. Although I would have loved if the Seamaster had the cool graphics on the back. Shame they were polished out so aggressively. Based on this I guess it’s safe to say these watches might be worth a few hundred dollars at best and I don’t need to change my contents insurance plan