Considering a vintage Seamaster

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

Hello

For sentimental reasons (my grandfather, mainly) I am, as the thread says, "Considering a vintage Seamaster"

I'm fairly certain I want an automatic from 1950s / 60s. A simple stainless steel model (ideally with nice beefy lugs), cal. 5xx, original dial (ideally white / cream with the 12 / 3 / 6 / 9 layout.)

I know a bit about watches but I'm aware that each brand and reference has its own peculiarities. I've had a look around on here (fabulous resource, by the way: thanks everyone) for some tips and that's been very helpful. (If I can reciprocate any time I'm reasonably knowledgable about English-made Smiths watches, including the military and Everest models).

So far the ones I've looked at on ebay are:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-Omega-Cal-471-1956-Seamaster/254937391979

and (my favourite)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-1950s-Omega-Seamaster-CAL-501-UK/174710787445

Issues? Pitfalls? Anything I need to know or be aware of?

cristos71 · Apr 13, 2021

The first one is tiny at under 32mm, were you aware of that? If not that's certainly something you need to pay attention to.

The second at first glance looks reasonably OK, a simple dial, case in decent shape, a movement that looks clean and not heavily worn. Wrong crown. Still I'd say it is expensive, I see it more around €550-650.

it's also way more helpful if you post links and photos of the watch in question. Many, myself included, cannot normally be bothered clicking through multiple links.

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

Thanks cristos71, very much appreciated. I'll bear in mind the picture thing, makes sense. A bugbear of mine on forums is when people reply quoting an entire post, particularly annoying when it's the one immediately before and/or they include ALL the pictures!

That second one is pretty much what I'm looking for, although it's shame it doesn't have the "hippo" caseback (is that the right term?)

Oh, and I've noticed that some cal. 5xx are 20 jewels and others are 24 jewels; is there much difference in price, timekeeping, reliability etc? I'm leaning towards assuming not, but I'm here to learn. (In fact it's quite possible that the "simpler" 20j is a better or at least better value.)

Thanks again.

Wlcutter · Apr 13, 2021

I'm by no means an expert but have had lots of vintage Seamasters, and as far as the 20 v 24 jewel difference: I don't see any difference in price, and in terms of timekeeping and reliability, I've never noticed any difference.

As far as the hippocampus casebacks: that second watch, I suspect, is a 2846/2848. Most came with the caseback as shown--Waterproof and Seamaster written around the edge (though in the example you've shared, both words look to be worn off). The larger hippocampus casebacks are out there, but they just take some looking. I don't know what references they come on other than the 2846/2848, but someone more knowledgeable than I will be along soon enough I'm sure.

wagudc · Apr 13, 2021

@Revo having recently been on an intensive search for a similar Seamaster, I have a pretty good understanding of what is out there. There is are lot of garbage Seamasters (over-polished, redialed, fraken . . .) Ebay and Chrono24 are particularly bad. The two examples you show are nice, but I agree wholeheartedly with @cristos71. However, I think the best you could do would be close to the high end of his price range from online sources.

Syrte · Apr 13, 2021

Hello dear @Revo, I’m not very knowledgeable about vintage Seamasters by any means but I recently embarked on a similar search, with slightly different specs, and I found a watch I really like within a few weeks.

With patience you should find something nicer at a much better price than what you posted.

Keep an eye on the sales forums here, and as usual look at all that’s out there, including threads here for research.
Keep us posted.

And since the custom on OF is to share lots of pictures, here’s a picture of my recently acquired Seamaster. (34mm, ref 2846 sans hippocampus; and with soon to be replaced replacement crown).

Dan S · Apr 13, 2021

Please post photos, OP, and we will look. 👍

Syrte · Apr 13, 2021

Oh, and PS if you’re going to stick around for a while you should set an avatar - that too is definitely part of the local culture. 😉

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

You guys are great -- what's the catch?! When do I get the bill? 😀

I quite like this one, reasonable price not *quite* what I'm after but I think I could learn to love it:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1950s-Vi...eamaster-147-60-SC-62-Mens-Watch/174718949418

Also: a forum that allows direct posting of images without a third party hosting site?! Wow. No wonder you guys love pics.

What a great forum; I have had several Omegas in the past (including a 53 FA, 1940 AM Weems and a Bond Seamaster and a co-axial vintage lume thing that I flipped pdq). Always been a fan of the brand; less hype than you-know-who but just as much history, if not more.

Syrte · Apr 13, 2021

O. with due respect that scratch on the back and that scratch on the dial are too ugly- you can do better than that.

PS - if anyone out there has a nice Seamaster for @Revo I should disclose he’s a fellow moderator on the Military Watch Ressource forum and you’ll find plenty of references there - although he sometimes has a strange British sense of humor. 😁

wagudc · Apr 13, 2021

Revo
You guys are great -- what's the catch?! When do I get the bill? 😀

I quite like this one, reasonable price not *quite* what I'm after but I think I could learn to love it:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1950s-Vi...eamaster-147-60-SC-62-Mens-Watch/174718949418

Also: a forum that allows direct posting of images without a third party hosting site?! Wow. No wonder you guys love pics.

What a great forum; I have had several Omegas in the past (including a 53 FA, 1940 AM Weems and a Bond Seamaster and a co-axial vintage lume thing that I flipped pdq). Always been a fan of the brand; less hype than you-know-who but just as much history, if not more.

It looks to be original, but dial damage and case condition would be a deal breaker for me and most everyone else.

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

Syrte
Oh, and PS if you’re going to stick around for a while you should set an avatar - that too is definitely part of the local culture. 😉

Done!

Syrte · Apr 13, 2021

Here’s more cool references posted by @Shabbaz in another thread and on Instagram, 1960s but quite nice -you can also browse the thread below for ideas. It’s also a nice story.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-right-decision-for-husbands-60th-1961-seamaster.128486/

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

Syrte
PS - if anyone out there has a nice Seamaster for @Revo I should disclose he’s a fellow moderator on the Military Watch Ressource forum and you’ll find plenty of references there - although he sometimes has a strange British sense of humor. 😁

The British have a sense of humour (sic). And a very good one it is, too. It's just lost on you. 😁.

(Although I'm half Norwegian, hence the avatar. They have a rubbish sense of humour but at least they have one, unlike the Swedes!)

Anyway, I love your Seamaster. Good score!

w154 · Apr 13, 2021

I’d be happy to let this one go O.

Obviously it’s got a dial mark, and it’s far from mint, but it’s all original and I think it’s a nice dial variation. I could do it for £300. No service history though.

Syrte · Apr 13, 2021

Revo
The British have a sense of humour (sic). And a very good one it is, too. It's just lost on you. 😁.

(Although I'm half Norwegian, hence the avatar. They have a rubbish sense of humour but at least they have one, unlike the Swedes!)

Anyway, I love your Seamaster. Good score!

Thank you, I’m sure you’ll find something nice too. 👍
But be careful, we have Norwegian and Swedish members here, at least one is very funny, and they’re all super nice. :whipped:

DaveK · Apr 13, 2021

Syrte
Thank you, I’m sure you’ll find something nice too. 👍
But be careful, we have Norwegian and Swedish members here, at least one is very funny, and they’re all super nice.

No one likes Stefan from Iceland, you can pick on him

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

Syrte
Here’s more cool references posted by @Shabbaz in another thread and on Instagram, 1960s but quite nice -you can also browse the thread below for ideas. It’s also a nice story.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-right-decision-for-husbands-60th-1961-seamaster.128486/

That was epic! I like VickyG, hope she sticks around.

DaveK
No one likes Stefan from Iceland, you can pick on him

Good idea! Iceland. Viking penal colony. Bloody good fly fishing though. I could happily divide my time between there and New Zealand, 6 months in each and I'd never see the winter.

onlyomega94 · Apr 13, 2021

The Seamaster 30 and Seamaster 600 lines have models with the dial variant you are looking for. They’ll be with 2xx or 6xx calibres but nothing wrong with those.

My daily wearer says hi. It’s a bit rough on the dial but I like that I can use it without worrying too much.

The Seamaster 30 would look something like this (although this one of mine is not in steel and without Arabic numerals).

Revo · Apr 13, 2021

w154
I’d be happy to let this one go O.

Obviously it’s got a dial mark, and it’s far from mint, but it’s all original and I think it’s a nice dial variation. I could do it for £300. No service history though.

Thanks! I think I'll hold out for something in slightly better condition but I really appreciate the offer.

Considering a vintage Seamaster

Revo

cristos71

Revo

Wlcutter

wagudc

Syrte

Dan S

Syrte

Revo

Syrte

wagudc

Revo

Syrte

Revo

w154

Syrte

DaveK

Revo

onlyomega94

Revo

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