Asking for help to authenticate this seamaster 2531.80 please

Posts
2
Likes
0
Hey,

I recently acquired an omega seamaster and one of my friends was concerned that’s it’s not a genuine piece. I posted it online and got mixed feedback until an omega collector asked me to post it here. Any help or details are much appreciated. The main thing that sticks out as being not genuine is the helium escape valve seems to be in the wrong place. I see them being above the 10 o’clock mark and mine seems to line up with it. The movement serial and serial number on the case match. And the database online dates it as a 1999 model. If I’ve missed anything or posted this in the wrong area I apologize, just let me know. thank you
 
Posts
624
Likes
412
That looks to be a proper Omega 1120 movement however the casing clamps are missing and the casing screws are incorrect.

The missing casing clamps should line up with the casing ring and slide under the case. In yours it semi lines up with the helium valve which is odd.

The movement serial matches the case serial, however the engraved serial font on the case lug looks to be too big. The bezel font/lume dot also looks off. Caseback looks alright.

In my opinion this could of been an original seamaster that had its middle-case replaced at some point. Whether it's an Omega original middle case or an aftermarket one is the question.


Also just noticed the bottom case lug with the serial on it looks heavily polished compared to the other side. Might be an indication of tampering.
Edited:
 
Posts
3,391
Likes
34,957
Here is one for sale currently in the Private Sales section to compare helium escape valve. It does seem to be above the 10 mark.

I have a 2551.80 (mid size version) and the helium escape valve is a bit above the 10 mark as well.


To my untrained eyes, the omega logo on the case back, under the seahorse, seems bigger as well than the one for sale (and mine all proportions respected).

The Omega on the dial seems to me a bit thin (font) when comparing to mine and the one for sale... But again, it can be my eyes, my phone etc

Other members will surely have more expertise to give you.

Cheers
 
Posts
27,305
Likes
69,628
This is some sort of franken at best, or an outright fake. The serial number is not for this model:

Serial number: 60232827
Article ref: 25012100



As I look closer at the movement, I see there are screws that should have flat polished heads, that have rounded and nor polished heads, so I looked at the mark on the main plate where it should have an Omega symbol and 1120 marked, but instead is appears to have 2892-1:



So it appears to be a movement that is part ETA base movement, with some Omega Cal. 1120 parts added to make it look genuine, using a serial number from a completely different model.

If you look at the placement of the HEV on this genuine 25318000, you can see that it doesn't line up with the 10 o'clock marker like your does.



So I'm guessing mostly fake but with some genuine parts...

Cheers, Al
 
Posts
2
Likes
0
Thanks for all the feedback. I appreciate your help and it seems someone really went out of their way to make this watch appear genuine to an unsuspecting person but made a few mistakes in doing so.