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First generation Seamasters - case designs?

M
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CC5AA7D9-7AF5-4ADE-9DC2-2FC837DBF538.jpeg E9F10F0D-8C12-49EA-9586-4B383BE97739.jpeg 7C506F9E-D384-4641-B62C-D0DD65A71B60.jpeg
Dear OF,

I am very passionate about the first Seamaster references, especially the 2577 and 2576 34mm with bumper movements. One thing that puzzles me, and where I would appreciate the help or opinion of this great community, is on the case design of the first versions.
When looking at official sources, the first Seamaster have the case with broader lugs with bevels, example above in pic 2 and 3.

However, the examples I have come across with cal 351 or 342, all have the case version with drill through lugs (similar lugs as the larger version), without bevels, example from my collection in pic 1 above.

My simple question is if anyone can explain this? Is it the upgraded case design we see representing te first Seamaster (ie not 1948 but rather 51/52) in the official pics? Or are there grails out there with cases as on the official pictures and manufactured in the first 1-4 years?

Thanks for any input to the topic

MOL
 
seekingseaquest
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I’m with you on the earliest Seamasters being the drilled lug versions, with the thicker, beveled lug versions having been introduced in the early 1950s. The earliest ones also didn’t have Seamaster on the dial.

Keep in mind the above “official sources” are from marketing collateral - they may have chosen watches that help them sell their new designs more than focus on historical accuracy.

I think there are threads on this subject, and I could be wrong, but I also don’t recall seeing an original beefy lug Seamaster with leaf hands and subdial as shown on the left above (let alone Chronometre rated). Plenty of center second versions, though.
Edited:
 
gbesq
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I believe that I have one of the first in my collection. Reference 2576, small seconds, drilled lugs.
5CD8349C-29F8-4217-A770-26BFDCFD8599.jpeg D4DC995F-AF6B-403E-ADDB-D426C6DBCAEF.jpeg
 
padders
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gbesq gbesq
I believe that I have one of the first in my collection. Reference 2576, small seconds, drilled lugs.
5CD8349C-29F8-4217-A770-26BFDCFD8599.jpeg D4DC995F-AF6B-403E-ADDB-D426C6DBCAEF.jpeg
What serial is it? The earliest are in the low 11m region. As noted for the first year or so they had plain dial so it’s not quite one of the first, though early undoubtedly.
 
gbesq
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padders padders
What serial is it? The earliest are in the low 11m region. As noted for the first year or so they had plain dial so it’s not quite one of the first, though early undoubtedly.
It's in the mid 12 range, so you're correct. I didn't mean literally one of the first off the assembly line, but rather one of the earlier drilled lug designs. Great condition, though, all original except for the strap. and just back from a service. 😀
 
Spruce
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My 1950 2577 with a cal 351 and a 12 million serial number

3301686D-DDAA-4798-8C32-E73F627ACBB2.jpeg


And my 1954 2757 cal 354 with a 14 million serial, and bought from @seekingseaquest on this forum.

(And still running well, Phil 😀)

3A4F3DFE-DC20-472F-B07E-90EC4BBBBCD8.jpeg
 
M
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Spruce Spruce
My 1950 2577 with a cal 351 and a 12 million serial number

3301686D-DDAA-4798-8C32-E73F627ACBB2.jpeg


And my 1954 2757 cal 354 with a 14 million serial, and bought from @seekingseaquest on this forum.

(And still running well, Phil 😀)

3A4F3DFE-DC20-472F-B07E-90EC4BBBBCD8.jpeg
My understanding is that 34mm gold cap and gold cases are non-drill through across the production, so the “mystery” is in the steel cased ones
 
M
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seekingseaquest seekingseaquest
I’m with you on the earliest Seamasters being the drilled lug versions, with the thicker, beveled lug versions having been introduced in the early 1950s. The earliest ones also didn’t have Seamaster on the dial.

Keep in mind the above “official sources” are from marketing collateral - they may have chosen watches that help them sell their new designs more than focus on historical accuracy.

I think there are threads on this subject, and I could be wrong, but I also don’t recall seeing an original beefy lug Seamaster with leaf hands and subdial as shown on the left above (let alone Chronometre rated). Plenty of center second versions, though.
Thanks - was not aware of previous threads. Your point of “marketing impact” is interesting. It is for sure the leaf hand version with rail track being pictured in “From Seamaster to Seamaster the first 70 years”, and which is standing model for the reissues (great design btw).
 
iamvr
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Always taking any opportunity to post this late 2577 with heavy beefy beveled lugs…

ADB7D1C5-0BA1-46C4-8540-D32974E5CF8B.jpeg
 
LesXL
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iamvr iamvr
Always taking any opportunity to post this late 2577 with heavy beefy beveled lugs…

ADB7D1C5-0BA1-46C4-8540-D32974E5CF8B.jpeg
Show off 😀
 
M
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iamvr iamvr
Always taking any opportunity to post this late 2577 with heavy beefy beveled lugs…

ADB7D1C5-0BA1-46C4-8540-D32974E5CF8B.jpeg
What serial is yours?
9F89542E-A49C-4B20-8FB6-D9CAEAF5B75C.jpeg
 
SkunkPrince
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M MOL
My understanding is that 34mm gold cap and gold cases are non-drill through across the production, so the “mystery” is in the steel cased ones
Did you mean not consistently or not at all?

IMG_1145.jpeg


This is a KO 2627, the first Seamaster Calendar reference.
 
iamvr
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M MOL
What serial is yours?
9F89542E-A49C-4B20-8FB6-D9CAEAF5B75C.jpeg

13773399, but according to Omega my watch didn‘t leave the factory with that movement, so it won’t help.
 
padders
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Here is early, but not necessarily pretty! This is from 1948-9 and has a 11.7m serial ie the first year, but I have seen Seamasters like this with serials in the 11.5m region. This has lug holes.

IMG_7304.jpeg IMG_7306.jpeg IMG_7305.jpeg IMG_7379.jpeg
Edited:
 
Olhenry56
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iamvr iamvr
Always taking any opportunity to post this late 2577 with heavy beefy beveled lugs…

ADB7D1C5-0BA1-46C4-8540-D32974E5CF8B.jpeg
Careful with that thing! It took me a minute to get my eyes back in my head and my jaw off the floor after you flashed that at us. Very nice condition.
 
aprax
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M MOL
My understanding is that 34mm gold cap and gold cases are non-drill through across the production, so the “mystery” is in the steel cased ones

SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Did you mean not consistently or not at all?

Certainly not "accross the production". Here's my 18k 2577 with a cal 351 movement in the 13.1 million range.

IMG_2255-k.jpg IMG_2258-k.jpg
 
M
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Did you mean not consistently or not at all?

IMG_1145.jpeg


This is a KO 2627, the first Seamaster Calendar reference.
For 2577 and 2576 - but again happy to be ”proven” wrong. My aim is to close knowledge gaps…
 
M
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aprax aprax
Certainly not "accross the production". Here's my 18k 2577 with a cal 351 movement in the 13.1 million range.

IMG_2255-k.jpg IMG_2258-k.jpg
Cool - so 351 drill through in steel and in gold solid and for the 355 calendar gold cap…in a way this increases the mystery that I was out to solve for; is the official pictures of first Seamster in reality is second generation case designs (?) i e cal 354, 344 - still not sure how to conclude on Rg 352 and 343. Thanks for adding to the knowledge stack!
 
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