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ArtGecko
·Good day, and thank you for taking a peek at my first post here on OmegaForums.net! I stumbled on this forum a couple of weeks ago while searching for some information, and have been an avid reader since. I joined yesterday, as I finally feel that I have enough basic knowledge to post a question.
The first thing I noticed when reading through the vintage threads is how many folk came here just like me to learn about "Dad's watch." Wow, there's a lot of us, and I commend you guys for your patience and repeated willingness to help. Thanks to you, those oft asked questions have helped me answer several of my own.
To paraphrase the opening of the old Naked City TV show; There are a lot of stories about "Dad's watches". This is one of them...
My mother bought an Omega Seamaster for my father at the base exchange at Keesler Air Force Base, in Biloxi, Mississippi. She recalls that it was after they were married (December 1951), but before I was born (September 1953). It was $50, new in the box. Like many of us growing up in those times, I wore a Timex watch as first watch (and many after), but I always admired my Dad's Omega.
It wasn't a showy watch. More of a quality made tool. And it was generally the only watch he owned, or at least the only watch he wore. He was an industrial arts teacher, and wore it while at work, at home, helping my grandfather on the farm, working on cars, going to church, and out for the evening. It wasn't babied, and over the years, accumulated its share of scratches and wear. Dad wasn't the least bit ostentatious, and would never consider getting a new watch or having his gussied up. It worked, kept great time, and looked okay. That was good enough.
Dad died a dozen years ago, and Mom recently gave his watch to me. It had one of those awful stretch bands on it with a calendar in place of the links below the watch case, where you'd wind the tiny crown to find the calendar to match the current month. It was stretched out and rusted, so I replaced it with a band from one of my grandfather's Elgin watches. I've worn it a few times, usually when going out for dinner or need to dress up. Otherwise, it rests in an old jewelry box my uncle had. It keeps excellent time, and winds itself as expected.
As noted above (Way above! Wow, can I ramble on...) I stumbled on this forum while searching for information on his Seamaster. I Googled "1952 Omega Seamaster", compared images, and then changed the year to try again. A couple of the photos were from here.
A huge thanks to the folks who steered me to the Kong dog toy. That made removing the case back relatively easy. Inside, I found that I have a calibre 354 movement, and reference C2577-12 SC watch with the serial number 14041379. According to the frequently linked reference, this watch was made in 1954. I'm not sure if this date can be narrowed down any more. A site called OmegaAddicts has a database of serial numbers, and finding ones close to mine yields a very late 1953 or more likely early 1954. Not sure where he gets this information, as the published serial number ranges are for even years during that period.
Yes, I got that blue fiber out before putting on the case back. 😉
Mom seems to think that the watch has never been serviced. But I thought I remembered that he sent it in for some reason. Probably losing time or the automatic winder wasn't winding. Looking at the watch face, and after reading so many other "Dad's watch" threads, I thought it likely had been redialed. After I got it opened, I found this marking inside the case back.
I assume that the etched information is a watchmaker's markings. If it is difficult to read in these reduced images, it shows Ω100469*50 (or S0). Can I assume it was repaired at an Omega service center, and that the next group of numbers represents October 4, 1969 or April 10, 1969, depending on where it was serviced? Are the last three markings a standardized code, or simply something that particular watchmaker used?
A closer look at the dial, and with the help of similar threads, I'm all but certain the watch has been redialed. The text for AUTOMATIC is nearly the same size as the OMEGA text, and the text looks almost hand painted, particularly the M. Some of the hour markers are off by a bit. Am I correct that it has been redialed?
This photo also shows how scratched the case and crystal have become, and there's a crack near the 9 o'clock marker. This crystal does not have the Omega logo on the center. Did all Hesalite crystals have the logo molded in, or only certain models or years? I'm assuming since the dial was replaced, the crystal would have been at the same time.
This photo shows more of the scratching, and that the hands are corroded. There's also a bit of green at the 6 o'clock position, so at some point, moisture has gotten inside.
So, that's the watch as it is today. I have no intention of ever selling Dad's watch, but I enjoy wearing it on occasion. My own wonderful wife knew how much I admired Dad's watch, and bought me my own Seamaster in 1999 (2551.80.00), which I wear all day, every day.
However, Dad's watch hasn't been serviced in decades, and it really needs to go in for some repairs. I'm already aware that I shouldn't send it to Omega, so I need to find a good watchmaker to take it to. It definitely needs a new crystal, and the second hand is quite rusty, so I'd like a better (but not new) replacement. The hands are iffy, but may clean up. Despite the redial, I like how it looks and wouldn't replace it. I don't want a new watch! I'd just like Dad's to be a bit more presentable.
Do you guys have a recommendation for a watchmaker qualified and familiar with vintage Omegas in the Cleveland, Ohio area? If not, is there anyone that you recommend sending to, including any of you guys on here who have a history of careful preservations?
Should the correct replacement crystal have the Omega logo? Are the official Hesalite crystals even available any more?
I'd like a nice period correct leather strap for this watch. I like brown, but think black goes better with the stainless. I'm not cheap, but I'd rather not pay $200 for a genuine alligator strap, either. Any recommendations?
I will not sell this watch. Period! But, I would like an honest evaluation of the watch as it is today, both for curiosity sake, and for insurance. I've seen similar era 354 stainless watches anywhere from $400-$1500. I'm guessing I'm a lot closer to the bottom of this range, or even less with the redial and corrosion. I won't even ask what it would be worth after repairs, as that depends on too many factors.
That's all for now. I didn't intend for this to be a lengthy read, but I'm just typing what comes to mind at the time. Please ask if I've forgotten any details, and I really do appreciate honest opinions. If it is a piece of crap, say so. I won't. be offended. Better knowing that going in that waste hundreds polishing a turd.
And again, thank you all for your past contributions. There's a huge wealth of information available here on the forum with just a little bit if searching and reading.
Regards,
Steve
Additional photo, because I realized my macro shots did not include the calibre. Yep, it is dirty in there!
The first thing I noticed when reading through the vintage threads is how many folk came here just like me to learn about "Dad's watch." Wow, there's a lot of us, and I commend you guys for your patience and repeated willingness to help. Thanks to you, those oft asked questions have helped me answer several of my own.
To paraphrase the opening of the old Naked City TV show; There are a lot of stories about "Dad's watches". This is one of them...
My mother bought an Omega Seamaster for my father at the base exchange at Keesler Air Force Base, in Biloxi, Mississippi. She recalls that it was after they were married (December 1951), but before I was born (September 1953). It was $50, new in the box. Like many of us growing up in those times, I wore a Timex watch as first watch (and many after), but I always admired my Dad's Omega.
It wasn't a showy watch. More of a quality made tool. And it was generally the only watch he owned, or at least the only watch he wore. He was an industrial arts teacher, and wore it while at work, at home, helping my grandfather on the farm, working on cars, going to church, and out for the evening. It wasn't babied, and over the years, accumulated its share of scratches and wear. Dad wasn't the least bit ostentatious, and would never consider getting a new watch or having his gussied up. It worked, kept great time, and looked okay. That was good enough.
Dad died a dozen years ago, and Mom recently gave his watch to me. It had one of those awful stretch bands on it with a calendar in place of the links below the watch case, where you'd wind the tiny crown to find the calendar to match the current month. It was stretched out and rusted, so I replaced it with a band from one of my grandfather's Elgin watches. I've worn it a few times, usually when going out for dinner or need to dress up. Otherwise, it rests in an old jewelry box my uncle had. It keeps excellent time, and winds itself as expected.
As noted above (Way above! Wow, can I ramble on...) I stumbled on this forum while searching for information on his Seamaster. I Googled "1952 Omega Seamaster", compared images, and then changed the year to try again. A couple of the photos were from here.
A huge thanks to the folks who steered me to the Kong dog toy. That made removing the case back relatively easy. Inside, I found that I have a calibre 354 movement, and reference C2577-12 SC watch with the serial number 14041379. According to the frequently linked reference, this watch was made in 1954. I'm not sure if this date can be narrowed down any more. A site called OmegaAddicts has a database of serial numbers, and finding ones close to mine yields a very late 1953 or more likely early 1954. Not sure where he gets this information, as the published serial number ranges are for even years during that period.
Yes, I got that blue fiber out before putting on the case back. 😉
Mom seems to think that the watch has never been serviced. But I thought I remembered that he sent it in for some reason. Probably losing time or the automatic winder wasn't winding. Looking at the watch face, and after reading so many other "Dad's watch" threads, I thought it likely had been redialed. After I got it opened, I found this marking inside the case back.
I assume that the etched information is a watchmaker's markings. If it is difficult to read in these reduced images, it shows Ω100469*50 (or S0). Can I assume it was repaired at an Omega service center, and that the next group of numbers represents October 4, 1969 or April 10, 1969, depending on where it was serviced? Are the last three markings a standardized code, or simply something that particular watchmaker used?
A closer look at the dial, and with the help of similar threads, I'm all but certain the watch has been redialed. The text for AUTOMATIC is nearly the same size as the OMEGA text, and the text looks almost hand painted, particularly the M. Some of the hour markers are off by a bit. Am I correct that it has been redialed?
This photo also shows how scratched the case and crystal have become, and there's a crack near the 9 o'clock marker. This crystal does not have the Omega logo on the center. Did all Hesalite crystals have the logo molded in, or only certain models or years? I'm assuming since the dial was replaced, the crystal would have been at the same time.
This photo shows more of the scratching, and that the hands are corroded. There's also a bit of green at the 6 o'clock position, so at some point, moisture has gotten inside.
So, that's the watch as it is today. I have no intention of ever selling Dad's watch, but I enjoy wearing it on occasion. My own wonderful wife knew how much I admired Dad's watch, and bought me my own Seamaster in 1999 (2551.80.00), which I wear all day, every day.
However, Dad's watch hasn't been serviced in decades, and it really needs to go in for some repairs. I'm already aware that I shouldn't send it to Omega, so I need to find a good watchmaker to take it to. It definitely needs a new crystal, and the second hand is quite rusty, so I'd like a better (but not new) replacement. The hands are iffy, but may clean up. Despite the redial, I like how it looks and wouldn't replace it. I don't want a new watch! I'd just like Dad's to be a bit more presentable.
Do you guys have a recommendation for a watchmaker qualified and familiar with vintage Omegas in the Cleveland, Ohio area? If not, is there anyone that you recommend sending to, including any of you guys on here who have a history of careful preservations?
Should the correct replacement crystal have the Omega logo? Are the official Hesalite crystals even available any more?
I'd like a nice period correct leather strap for this watch. I like brown, but think black goes better with the stainless. I'm not cheap, but I'd rather not pay $200 for a genuine alligator strap, either. Any recommendations?
I will not sell this watch. Period! But, I would like an honest evaluation of the watch as it is today, both for curiosity sake, and for insurance. I've seen similar era 354 stainless watches anywhere from $400-$1500. I'm guessing I'm a lot closer to the bottom of this range, or even less with the redial and corrosion. I won't even ask what it would be worth after repairs, as that depends on too many factors.
That's all for now. I didn't intend for this to be a lengthy read, but I'm just typing what comes to mind at the time. Please ask if I've forgotten any details, and I really do appreciate honest opinions. If it is a piece of crap, say so. I won't. be offended. Better knowing that going in that waste hundreds polishing a turd.
And again, thank you all for your past contributions. There's a huge wealth of information available here on the forum with just a little bit if searching and reading.
Regards,
Steve
Additional photo, because I realized my macro shots did not include the calibre. Yep, it is dirty in there!
Edited:
