Community Stories

Help on a vintage Seamaster

LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
Hello everyone!

I came accross this watch today (sorry I only have 2 pictures), can anyone tell me which model of Seamaster is it exactly?

I am willing to pull the trigger on this one for about $350 but I have very little knowledge about vintage Omega, so any advice would be great. Not sure that the case back belongs to the watch though.

Thank you!

LeBapt

1635419016688.jpg 1635419016698.jpg
 
1635419016688.jpg 1635419016698.jpg
DON
Posts
1,962
Likes
1,199
2 pictures didn't show. Do you know the diameter?

Sure someone will recognize the case design

DON
 
Fallout Boy
Posts
2,176
Likes
4,495
LeBapt LeBapt
I am willing to pull the trigger on this one for about $350
To be clear: the dial is damaged, not aged !
 
Donn Chambers
Posts
2,461
Likes
3,328
Fallout Boy Fallout Boy
To be clear: the dial is damaged, not aged !

One man's damage is another man's patina, but I agree, I would not buy this watch with that dial.
 
Fallout Boy
Posts
2,176
Likes
4,495
We had the discussion: damage vs patina before 😁. I like (strong) patina 😉 not this one.
@LeBapt If the movement is ok: go ahead!
 
Passover
Posts
1,863
Likes
2,539
LeBapt LeBapt
Not sure that the case back belongs to the watch though.

This caseback with the large seahorse is not so common and original on Seamaster watches produced around 1958 as far as I know.

I like the watch and if it's technical OK (as mentioned before) 350 USD is a good price (if you like the patina)
Edited:
 
LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
Thanks gents for your help! I decided to buy the watch, I just love the patina. I will get it serviced by my watchmaker, ask for an extract of the archives and find her a nice bracelet.
 
LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
Some news about the watch. Just got it back from my watchmaker. Pretty bad shape inside.... The sweep second pinion was bent, the movement was full of dirt, excessive oil and oxidation but was keeping good time.
He managed to straighten the pinion and the second hand and totally cleaned the inside and change the gasket. Everything seems fine but I will have to change the sweep second pinion because it keeps bugging me.

1636715176557.jpg 1636715176567.jpg 1636715176574.jpg 1636715176580.jpg 1636715176589.jpg 1636715176596.jpg 1636715197060.jpg 1636715197069.jpg
 
Dr No
Posts
2,287
Likes
19,729
LeBapt LeBapt
Some news about the watch. Just got it back from my watchmaker. Pretty bad shape inside.... The sweep second pinion was bent, the movement was full of dirt, excessive oil and oxidation but was keeping good time.
He managed to straighten the pinion and the second hand and totally cleaned the inside and change the gasket. Everything seems fine but I will have to change the sweep second pinion because it keeps bugging me.

1636715176557.jpg 1636715176567.jpg 1636715176574.jpg 1636715176580.jpg 1636715176589.jpg 1636715176596.jpg 1636715197060.jpg 1636715197069.jpg

Cal 501 lift angle is 49º. Can you ask for a re-test?

Art
 
LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
What should the tolerance be, if there is any?
Edited:
 
Dr No
Posts
2,287
Likes
19,729
LeBapt LeBapt
What should the tolerance be, if there is any?

The reading is probably not far off, but the difference between 49º and 52º settings should be observable.
 
LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
Is it something that can be corrected? How can it be observable, and does it impact the watch if it is keeping good time?
Many questions but I am a total neophyte.
 
Dr No
Posts
2,287
Likes
19,729
LeBapt LeBapt
Is it something that can be corrected? How can it be observable, and does it impact the watch if it is keeping good time?
Many questions but I am a total neophyte.

Your watchmaker can set the Timegrapher to reflect a 49º (or any) lift angle. The impact is dependent on how far off the deviation is. Some movements are designed with lift angles substantially below 52º. 3º isn't too wide a variation, but there should be an observable difference in amplitude between readings set at 52º and 49º.

Art
 
Archer
Posts
27,580
Likes
70,186
Dr No Dr No
Your watchmaker can set the Timegrapher to reflect a 49º (or any) lift angle. The impact is dependent on how far off the deviation is. Some movements are designed with lift angles substantially below 52º. 3º isn't too wide a variation, but there should be an observable difference in amplitude between readings set at 52º and 49º.

Art

Roughly 6 degrees amplitude difference for every 1 degree of lift angle error.
 
LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
My watchmaker told me that he doesn't want to touch anything at the balance because he is afraid to break it since it is an old model, and shouldn't affect the accuracy much. I need to find out how much a balance can cost but so far the watch is keeping perfect time.
 
Dan S
Posts
20,700
Likes
47,560
People are just saying that the timegrapher settings are wrong for testing that watch so the the timegrapher readings are incorrect. In particular the amplitude. They did not suggest touching the balance. Given the overall condition of the movement, I'd say it's mainly an academic exercise. Even if the amplitude is a bit low, if the watch is running ok I doubt that the watchmaker would do anything about it. Just count your blessings and enjoy the watch.

LeBapt LeBapt
Everything seems fine but I will have to change the sweep second pinion because it keeps bugging me.

How is the sweep second pinion bugging you? Is the hand slipping or stopping or catching on things?
Edited:
 
LeBapt
Posts
41
Likes
9
Thanks, now makes sense.

Regarding the pinion, it was bent and I think that it is not in a good shape. The second hand is ok, except when I pull the crown and turn it anti clockwise, the second hand turns anti clockwise too... When I turn clockwise, the second hand just keep running as it should.
 
7 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Mike78

Your opinion on a vintage Omega chronograph

Mike78 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
impaw
impaw
Posts
9
Views
566
K

New member looking for some information on a vintage seamaster and what it could be worth.

Kevinstrut99 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Bruce235
Bruce235
Posts
8
Views
3K
K

Will any of Uncle Seiko/Forstner "FOIS" bracelet fit a vintage Seamaster 168.023?

knng Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
uk_onega
uk_onega
Posts
3
Views
2K
W

Need Help on a vintage speedy schumacher

wristnewbie Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
efauser
efauser
Posts
1
Views
871
V

Looking for some more info on a vintage Seamaster

vlvp Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
9
Views
3K
L

Need help with buying a vintage seamaster

Leonbl123 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
10
Views
3K