HELP with Vintage 1950 Omega Seamaster Automatic 342 bumper movement

Chanye · Feb 9, 2022

Hello all,

I am new here so please let me know if I doing anything incorrectly.

I have recently purchased a vintage Omega off of my girlfriend’s relative that is in need of some TLC.

From my own research I believe it is a 1950 Omega Seamaster with a 342 bumper - movement serial code 12xxxxxx, and case back serial 2576-12. The watch is in working order, winds up and ticks.

I have found similar images to this watch model, however, the sub seconds dial on this Omega have each 10 second interval marked with Arabic numerals, whereas all other images I’ve found just have interval markings with no numerals.

Any information on this watch is welcomed.

I am looking to get the watched serviced. It seems there is some debate here against an official Omega service on vintage watches due to them being “too thorough”. I am UK based and I have seen STS cited as reputable. I would be looking to keep all original parts if possible and just have the watch cleaned and mechanism serviced. The watch is also strapless, I’d like to get as close to authentic as possible, but I’m unsure if it is just recommended to go with a new leather strap.

Finally there are some markings on the inside of the case you back presumably from servicing/watch makers that I’d like to know more about.

From what my eyes can make some read:
G2279DB
141952DB (may not be correct)
6142DB
There are some more but I can’t make them out.

Requests
1. Any additional information, unique sub seconds dial?
2. Servicing advice and strap advice
3. Case back markings/etchings advice

Thanks in advance

SkunkPrince · Feb 28, 2022

You've sort-of answered your own questions, which might be why you haven't had replies. Take it to STS, tell them what you want, and see what they say. If you can live with the refinished dial, that is.

Chanye · Feb 28, 2022

SkunkPrince
You've sort-of answered your own questions, which might be why you haven't had replies. Take it to STS, tell them what you want, and see what they say. If you can live with the refinished dial, that is.

Thanks, I was interested in what people’s experiences between STS servicing and Omega. In my head it would make sense to go with Omega but people seem to have opinions against that for older watches.

MtV · Feb 28, 2022

Welcome!

Allow me to start with the bad news: Your watch has a repainted dial. As you rightly noted, the decimal marks on the subdial are incorrect and the font of the writing of Seamaster, Automatic etc likewise. This is not uncommon for a watch that’s >70 years old: There was a time when people cared less about originality and might have the dial restored to make it look newer. Unfortunately, in this case, the finish seems to be not too professional - we could comment on this better if you provided a picture without the hands obscuring the writing.

That being said, you might still get enjoyment out of it, even though it’s not worth it having it restored from a purely financial point of view. STS is certainly a good address for a service and from what I’ve heard around here they’re well capable of servicing the watch sympathetically. A full service of the movement will be required, the case will be cleaned and maybe very, very lightly polished to remove the corrosion, should that be what the dark spots are. It it’s just dirt, it’ll go away in an ultrasonic bath, in which case no polishing whatsoever would be the recommendation of most of us here. By the looks of it, your case has been significantly polished in the past anyway and I’d try to keep as much of it as possible.

The markings in the caseback you’re mentioning are likely from previous watchmakers. Only they will truly know what their meaning is.

Judging by your serial, it’s a pretty early example from around ~1950. From 1948 to sometime in 1950 this reference was produced without Seamaster on the dial, which might have been another incentive for a previous owner to have it redialed, so that it carrys its name proudly.

Lastly, regarding the strap: Check out torrestraps (on IG, for example), Matteo produces some very nice straps that looks period correct and wear very comfortably. Some tone between brown and beige would probably be suitable, in my opinion. You can ask him about the vintage style, he’ll know.

Chanye · Feb 28, 2022

MtV
Welcome!

Allow me to start with the bad news: Your watch has a repainted dial. As you rightly noted, the decimal marks on the subdial are incorrect and the font of the writing of Seamaster, Automatic etc likewise. This is not uncommon for a watch that’s >70 years old: There was a time when people cared less about originality and might have the dial restored to make it look newer. Unfortunately, in this case, the finish seems to be not too professional - we could comment on this better if you provided a picture without the hands obscuring the writing.

That being said, you might still get enjoyment out of it, even though it’s not worth it having it restored from a purely financial point of view. STS is certainly a good address for a service and from what I’ve heard around here they’re well capable of servicing the watch sympathetically. A full service of the movement will be required, the case will be cleaned and maybe very, very lightly polished to remove the corrosion, should that be what the dark spots are. It it’s just dirt, it’ll go away in an ultrasonic bath, in which case no polishing whatsoever would be the recommendation of most of us here. By the looks of it, your case has been significantly polished in the past anyway and I’d try to keep as much of it as possible.

The markings in the caseback you’re mentioning are likely from previous watchmakers. Only they will truly know what their meaning is.

Judging by your serial, it’s a pretty early example from around ~1950. From 1948 to sometime in 1950 this reference was produced without Seamaster on the dial, which might have been another incentive for a previous owner to have it redialed, so that it carrys its name proudly.

Lastly, regarding the strap: Check out torrestraps (on IG, for example), Matteo produces some very nice straps that looks period correct and wear very comfortably. Some tone between brown and beige would probably be suitable, in my opinion. You can ask him about the vintage style, he’ll know.

Thank you for the comprehensive answer! I will attach a clearer photo of the dial at the end of this reply.

When you say repainted does that mean that the additional numbering and text under the logo were hand painted on at a later date? Is this refinish something that could be rectified with a service to get it to a more original state?

Both Omega and STS have quoted £450 as an initial figure for the service, I am trying to workout if that would be worthwhile. My intention would be to hold on to the watch myself or wear it should it be serviced.

Unfortunately with the case it seems to be some pitting and corrosion. An ultrasonic clean could remove the dirt but the surface would not be completely smooth.

I shall take a look at torrestraps.

Many thanks

Dan S · Feb 28, 2022

Chanye
When you say repainted does that mean that the additional numbering and text under the logo were hand painted on at a later date? Is this refinish something that could be rectified with a service to get it to a more original state?

Both Omega and STS have quoted £450 as an initial figure for the service, I am trying to workout if that would be worthwhile. My intention would be to hold on to the watch myself or wear it should it be serviced.

Unfortunately with the case it seems to be some pitting and corrosion. An ultrasonic clean could remove the dirt but the surface would not be completely smooth.

The dial was completely painted over and repainted, so there is no way to restore the original dial. Given the condition of the dial and case, the watch would never be worth anything close to 450GBP after service. It's worth about 100GBP as it sits, and will never be worth much more. If a watch like this has sentimental value, then it can make sense to invest money in it. Without sentimental value, you're just throwing money down the drain IMO. In your place, I would try to wipe down the case to make it more presentable and put the watch on eBay in an auction. The value is mainly in the movement, but someone in need of parts will buy it. Perhaps you can recover what you have into it and move on with a lesson learned. With some patience, you can buy a nice original bumper Seamaster for about 400 GBP.

DON · Feb 28, 2022

Pretty much what everyone said.

You don't say what you paid, but hopefully very little. Pitting is far to much to clean and honestly. Caseback is a suitable replacement if someone needs and the movement is the only value in the watch (dial also if someone wants to refinish it).

Throw it up on Ebay as Dan suggested and sell it. It's a money pit of a watch which holds no sentimental value to you, so get rid of it before you sink money into it

DON

speedyben · Mar 2, 2022

If you do decide to keep and want the dial refinished check out bill and sons, based in the UK and have done some good work

sleepyastronaut · Mar 2, 2022

Maybe don't buy any more watches from your girlfriend's family

Chanye · Mar 2, 2022

Thanks all for your responses. It seems like this was a lessons learned experience. I’ll have a think about what I want to do with it.

In the end it’s still a working piece of Omega history which I think is cool despite the other shortcomings

HELP with Vintage 1950 Omega Seamaster Automatic 342 bumper movement

Chanye

SkunkPrince

Chanye

MtV

Chanye

Dan S

DON

speedyben

sleepyastronaut

Chanye

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