I recently purchased a small collection from a friend who was cleaning out his late father's house.
One of the pieces was a vintage Seamaster. I believe it is pre '58 as there is no emblem on the case back.
I have no idea how to remove the case back to get a look at the movement so I can only base my opinion off of the dial, which looks great, and the fact that it does run, if not for very long.
It may be a bumper because when the watch is slowly rolled in my palm I can clearly feel some movement as if whatever is moving is on a spring.
My question is this; does anyone recognize this dial as a particular year/sub model of Seamaster?
Also, can anyone recommend a reputable watchmaker in the northeast who is priced reasonably?
Thank you all in advance
P.S. The other pieces in the collection were an antique Hamilton pocket watch (not running but beautiful), a Bulova and maybe the most interesting piece a Fleur De Lys de Paris antique travel clock (much smaller than it appears in the picture, it's about 3 inches tall)
Again, thank you for any input.

 

Welcome to OF, and congratulations on starting a collection. It will be very helpful it you can manage to get photos of the inside of these pieces, and also post photos from other angles. I think that you're probably right about the Omega being a bumper, possibly a cal 355 from the 1950s. If I were to make a wild guess, it could be a ref 2757 case. But if you really want to know, all the information will be found inside. The reference number will be engraved on the inside of the case-back, the movement caliber will be indicated, and the serial number on the movement will give an approximate year.

I'm not convinced that the travel clock will be the most interesting piece to collectors.

 

Agreed the Seamaster looks like a 2757 reference, probably dating to early to mid 1950s. Below is mine from 1954. It’s definitely a bumper.

That’s a hell of a lot of radium on that alarm clock...

 

Welcome! Those are all nice pieces to start your collection. That Seamaster is lovely and incredibly versatile- you can throw it in a NATO strap with jeans or on a croc with a sport coat and tie.
The Bulova is cool-those lugs are fantastic and it’s wearing a very old cloth strap. I actually think that is the most interesting piece actually- but I am biased as I collect Bulova’s

 

Hi @me1969 and welcome to the forum!

Try this search to find an AWCI (American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute) professional near you specializing in vintage watches. You may also try the NAWCC (National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors) search page. You may have to call around to find a local watchmaker that is comfortable working on watches from the 1950s, but don't be afraid to use a watchmaker that accepts watches by mail only. Search this forum for nationwide recommendations.

Don't try to remove the casebacks on any of these watches without the proper tools/techniques, or you'll risk scratching the back of the cases. Many casebacks are stuck on tight and are tricky to remove. Your watchmaker can do this for you.

 

Second in case back removal-if you don’t have the right tools or experience you will mangle the back or sides of the case. Better to leave it for the watchmaker.

 

I wouldn’t sleep too close to that alarm clock. Wow!

 

Great pieces! I also love the Bulova but all have great vintage patina and presence. The travel alarm is very cool. Find a good restoration watchmaker for movement service only.

 

This British ATP from 1942 gives off 32 microsieverts per hour from the front case. I think I would want to put a Geiger To that alarm clock before I decided to keep it. There is a lot more Radium in that clock.

 

So what's wrong with chronic nose bleeds and a little tumor every now and then??

 

You have a good point.

 

Hello Dan S,
Thank you for your response & I agree about needing pics of the movement/inside but couldn't get the case back off of the Omega so I quit before damaging/scratching something.
And when I said it was the most interesting I meant to me, not necessarily to a collector because it's so small and seems intricate. Although, I do love the lugs and looks of the Bulova.

 

Hi Seekingseaguest, Thanks for the info, that's a nice looking Seamaster. My two favorite watches are vintage Seamasters and Tudor Rangers. I have a nice Tudor but not a Ranger.
There may not be as much radium on the clock as you think. The face of it isn't much larger than a watch.

 

Hi JWRosenthal,
My collection started with my fathers '64 Bulova Accutron Astronaut so I've always had an affinity for them. I don't know if this one will ve worth getting repaired but bought it because love the look of it. And yes, those lugs really caught my eye
Unfortunately the strap that was on it was pretty well dry rotted :/

 

Hi Vitezi, Thank you very much for the information, I'll check them out. I have used Mark Sirianni, from Kane, Pa for a few different watches and he does nice work so I may go with him again but I wanted to get a few other possibilities to compare with.
I agree on the caseback removal. I tried to get the back off of the Omega but it's on there good so I quit before I damaged something.

 

Hi 77deluxe,
The clocks face is about the size of a watch face so there isn't as much radium as you might expect.
On an unrelated topic, where did this 11th finger come from???

 

For reference, this is a pic of the clock.
I think the other picture gave the impression that it was much larger than it is.

 

It’s adorable!! Like a piranha or baby Wolverine.

Seriously, I don’t think you need to encase in concrete and bury it, just don’t lick the dial

 

Thanks, I'll resist the urge to taste the clock....

 

And don’t snort it