Any help appreciated please guys in perhaps dating / valuing this vintage seamaster? Was left in a box from my uncle's estate clearance. I wear a modern seamaster daily but this is a little small for me.
I have no papers or box but it was in the family for 40yrs to my knowledge. I'll be upfront and say I'm looking to sell it and return any money to my aunt, as she's going to benefit from that more. Any advice appreciated thank you.

 

Forgot to add, works fine and keeps good time but no idea when serviced last.

 

I've got my eye out for one of these...

Case back and movement pics?

 

Nice watch. I have a bumper automatic which is dated around 1950’s ( see picture). But as mentioned you need to show the case back and movement and one of expert can comment.

 

My guess is that the Omega is likely from the mid 1950s. You will need 200 posts before you are able to offer it for sale here. As to value? It is likely worth more to your family than you would realize if you were to ask for offers on it. Maybe check eBay archives to see what prices similar watches have sold for. Why don’t you consider having it serviced, and wear it? Sell it, and six months later your aunt won’t have either the watch OR the money. Might bring maybe 3 or 4 hundred dollars, if she is really lucky.

 

Thanks guys. I assumed there would be a minimum post number but didn't realise that many lol!
I've got a pic of the back but I've never opened it or tried so is it easy to take the back off?
For a bit of background he also left a lovely Breitling "panda face" which we sold to Blowers in the UK as I've dealt with them well in the past but they don't buy vintage seamaster like this.
I've added a picture also of my own later seamaster which was his and keeps great time. It needs the case screw sorting as it won't match back in but I'll sort that at some point.

 

Couple more pics

 

@ChrisT70 - do you have a case back opener? The group (@Hamish02 specifically) is looking for a picture of the inside of the case back where the reference number will be. Once we have that we can give you more info.

If not, you can take it to a local watch person, have them carefully open it up and snap some pics there. Other option is to order one from Amazon (they're not expensive and easy to use).

 

I don't but I could get a local jeweller to open it up and I'll take pics if that's gonna help.

 

Hedging my bets - ref.2576 cal.342...

 

Easiest way to maim a vintage watch is to have an armature attempt to open one with a cheap opener.

 

If we are taking bets, I am going to say 2848 with 491 full rotor movement, or if delivered to the US market, 490 movement.

 

Ha - I knew somebody would jump on this, but as much as I hate to admit it, @X350 XJR does bring up something that I should clarify. When I said "not expensive" I didn't mean buy the cheapest one and give it a whirl. You get what you pay for, but it wont require a second mortgage to acquire. As for the armature (amateur?) note, it's not exactly rocket science to open up a case back. Just dont force the issue and if you're not comfortable with the idea go to see a professional.

Good luck with everything!

 

For anything case back related, I suggest using a socket wrench and superglue... Works for me every time. Some glue a nut (stop it, you know what I mean) to the case back and use the socket wrench on that, but I just glue on the socket and click that on the wrench. Nearly no chance of anything going wrong.

As to the watch, it's a post 1953 watch (modern logo) with a non-Omega beads of rice bracelet. If forced to guess, I'd say it's a bumper automatic, not a 491, as I believe that the dial text on those are closer together. @ChrisT70 - do you feel a slight knocking sensation from the movement when you gently shake the watch from one side to the other?

 

I wish I had known what you meant before I tried it.

 

Don’t want to hijack the conversation here, I recognise that knocking sensation with my bumper automatic. Is that normal?

 

That's why it's called a bumper.

 

Oh ok, learning everyday on OF. Thank you

 

I'm with @ConElPueblo on this and going to guess it's a bumper as well. Probably 2576.

Here is a 2576 that "been through me" (one of my favorite OF references)
Note the similar text spacing that @ConElPueblo pointed out.



For comparison, here is my 2846 (with pinched together text):

 

You may be right about the OP watch being a bumper, but that last one you show is a 2848, not a 2846