Got two Seamaster 2501.20s - concerned one is not original

bazelot

All you need to do is by a tool like that

It cost between $5 and $10

redpcar

https://www.amazon.com/Opener-Rubbe...cphy=9028275&hvtargid=pla-2281435178778&psc=1

padders

Maybe but this model is at least 5 years younger than the earliest Pre-Bonds and came after that series. I would have expected to see an external serial on a 1993-5 Omega which is the time frame these appeared. My money is on polished off. Either by a clumsy refinisher or if the movement serial is missing too, a grey dealer (or seller of stolen goods!). It was very common back in the day. Personally I could live with the missing lug serial as long as there is a readable serial on the movement. No serial at all is the big red flag and can cause issues down the line.

padders

Yes! Looks good. It’s a mystery why the serial is gone from the outside. I don’t buy that’s it’s old enough to have not had one on a lug but that matters not a jot. It’s all good if it has one inside as far as I’m concerned. Probably a lazy grey dealer.