Hello. I've inherited this Seamaster watch from my late father and I just want to know a bit more about it, essentially its possible age and an estimated value for insurance purposes. I don't want to sell it, it's just that if it's worth over £1000 I need to declare it on my home insurance. I believe it was given to my Dad for either his 18th or 21st, which would put it it at 1960 or 1963. I can't find any serial number so, from reading the interweb before finding here, I assume the serial number is on the inside of the case. Hopefully the photos are useful, I can upload others if they'll help. Many thanks in advance for any help
The best and fast way to know what you have is opening the case back and there in the back you will find a number, something like XXX.XXX that will give us the correct model.... there is hundreds of Seamaster models.
The special tool you need to use is called a "watchmaker". Unless you have the skills, knowledge and equipment you risk damaging the caseback and other parts of the watch.
If you don't know how, please take it to a watchmaker and have them do it. Take clear, preferably high res photos of the numbers on the movement and inside the case back. In its current state (missing the crown), it's worth less than 1000 pounds. Edit: Jim beat me to the punch.
Up late Eric? I know the early bird gets the worm, but even the worms are still asleep in TX. And to the OP And when you have the numbers from inside, you can use these to find a correct replacement crystal and a suitable stem and crown. It has a very nice black dial and an original beads of rice (BOR) bracelet so it would be well worth having a sympathetic restoration done. Do not send it to Omega themselves though, you will not get the same watch back.
That is a very nice watch. As has been said, it's not worth as much as £1K but it's quite rare as good untouched black dials like that are distinctly scarce. It probably has either a calibre 501 or 354 movement. If you rock it gently and you feel a slight bump inside the watch, it's very probably a 354. Luckily the correct crown for this model can still be found. Personally I would consider keeping the crystal as the scratches will mostly polish out and the crack at the top is a bit characterful, unless it forms an actual hole that moisture could get into. Whatever you do, DON'T let anyone talk you into having the dial refinished. And don't send it to Omega as that is a totally unnecessary expense, they will probably spoil the originality of it and any good vintage speciality watchmaker should be able to do whatever's needed. The key to getting this watch fixed up (and it is well worth it) is having the patience to do nothing until you've found out enough to know for sure just what needs doing and who is competent to do it. A nice family heirloom, congratulations. Edited to add: It's a lot more likely to be 1960 than 1963.
That's a very nice watch! The bracelet is, IMO, a later bracelet as I would expect to see a 5-row version (your's is a 7-row), but that doesn't matter too much If you want it restored, take some time to find the correct crown for it, which is a so-called "clover crown". The exact type will have to be determined by someone more capable than me, as there are variations.
Wow, thanks for the great info guys, all really useful. I have no intention of messing around with the dial as I like it. I like the idea of polishing the scratches out instead of replacing the crystal as the crack at the top isn't letting moisture in, although I know my dad never wore it in the shower or swam with it etc, but as there's no sign of moisture inside the crystal I'm making an assumption. It was his daily wear watch which is why it looks a bit less than perfect. I guess I'll have a hunt around for a decent local watch specialist, unless anyone can point me in the direction of one near Southampton in the UK, and just go from there. I will be back from some more guidance at some point I'm sure, hopefully this isn't the start of an expensive addiction
