Help identifying my vintage Seamaster

harrymcc · Aug 23, 2022

Hi, all. I have a vintage Seamaster and, short of finding someone to open it up so I can determine the serial number, hope there's a way to get a little information on it--at least its general time frame.

It has a 14K gold front and two-tone dial, and steel back with no logo. Checking various sites with Seamasters for sale, I haven't seen anything with precisely the same dial, though I did see one with the same basic design, but in silver in a steel case.

Any facts or educated guesses would be appreciated. Thanks!

Spruce · Aug 24, 2022

Others will know more, but it’s clearly an early 1950s Seamaster. From the mid-fifties the back case was embossed with a seahorse (hippocampus).

I’m guessing that it might have an automatic ‘bumper' movement and you can tell if it has by feeling a slight bump in the watch when you gently turn your wrist.

If you want to post your location, someone can probably recommend a watch repairer local to you who could service the movement and take photos showing the movement, the calibre reference and the movement number which gives the year of manufacture. The inside of the caseback will also have a number showing the type of case.

It looks very nice although some of your hour indices seem to be missing.

padders · Aug 24, 2022

Spruce
Others will know more, but it’s clearly an early 1950s Seamaster. From the mid-fifties the back case was embossed with a seahorse (hippocampus).

I’m guessing that it might have an automatic ‘bumper' movement and you can tell if it has by feeling a slight bump in the watch when you gently turn your wrist.

If you want to post your location, someone can probably recommend a watch repairer local to you who could service the movement and take photos showing the movement, the calibre reference and the movement number which gives the year of manufacture. The inside of the caseback will also have a number showing the type of case.

It looks very nice although some of your hour indices seem to be missing.

That dial design looks late 50s to me. My money is on a full rotor 500/501 movement model from 1955-58 such as the 2846. Gold cap in this case. The sea monster back wasn’t introduced until the late 50s so you can have plain back full rotors.

The 14k bit intrigues me, if it is stamped 14k GC then it might be a US domestic case version of the same hence why I hedged my bets with the movement number. Heres a Swiss cased 2846 which looks v similar. This has a plain back. Well actually it faintly says Seamaster Waterproof but those marks can wear off and the domestic versions don’t have them in the first place which may be another clue. I can’t recall who made the American 2846s, Jonelle or Ross perhaps.

harrymcc · Aug 24, 2022

Thank you! The index markers are all there—my photo just came out a bit odd.

harrymcc · Aug 24, 2022

Spruce
I’m guessing that it might have an automatic ‘bumper' movement and you can tell if it has by feeling a slight bump in the watch when you gently turn your wrist.

It does seem to contain a bumper movement—I feel a bit of something shifting inside when I move my hand. Does that help narrow things down? Thanks!

Spruce · Aug 24, 2022

harrymcc
It does seem to contain a bumper movement—I feel a bit of something shifting inside when I move my hand. Does that help narrow things down? Thanks!

The next step is to ask someone who knows what they’re doing, ie a local watch repairer (someone who services antique watches and not the guy in the Mall or the shoe repairer with a sideline in fitting watch straps) to open the caseback and get some photos of the movement and the details on the inside of the caseback.

padders · Aug 25, 2022

The fat lug bumper with the snap on back was model 2767 I think, but I still think it’s more likely that’s model 2846

seekingseaquest · Aug 25, 2022

This is a 2846 ref with a full rotor (non-bumper) 50* movement from 1955-1958.

Dan S · Aug 25, 2022

seekingseaquest
This is a 2846 ref with a full rotor (non-bumper) 50* movement from 1955-1958.

Another photo of a 2846 for comparison.

Help identifying my vintage Seamaster

harrymcc

Spruce

padders

harrymcc

harrymcc

Spruce

padders

seekingseaquest

Dan S

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