How to Research Serial # to Date

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Bikerider

·Jan 15, 2023

Is there a resource site to search movement serial numbers to date a vintage watch? I've tried the Omega Vintage site but haven't had any luck; it seems hard to navigate even when trying to match up movement to model year. I'm I doing something wrong?

 

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dsio

·Jan 15, 2023·Ash @ ΩF

Here’s a chart for non-Lemania movements

https://chronomaddox.com/omega_serial_numbers.html

Speedmasters and other Lemania chronograph powered watches exist in a separate serial range for vintage

 

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Bikerider

·Jan 15, 2023

dsio

Here’s a chart for non-Lemania movements

https://chronomaddox.com/omega_serial_numbers.html

Speedmasters and other Lemania chronograph powered watches exist in a separate serial range for vintage

would this chart be for Constellation model? sorry I should have mentioned that...

 

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dsio

·Jan 15, 2023·Ash @ ΩF

B Bikerider

would this chart be for Constellation model? sorry I should have mentioned that...

Yea it includes anything that isn’t a Speedmaster or Lemania chronograph powered watch so that includes constellations

 

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X350 XJR

·Jan 15, 2023·Vintage Omega Aficionado

B Bikerider

would this chart be for Constellation model? sorry I should have mentioned that...

In general terms yes. What age range are you interested in?

 

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Dan S

·Jan 15, 2023

This is the "official" Omega chart. Unfortunately there are a bunch of typos early on, with transposed years, so you need to use common sense.

 

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Bikerider

·Jan 15, 2023

both charts have been very helpful, thanks

 

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MtV

·Jan 16, 2023

And do note this isn’t reliable information, just a rough guideline. +/- 2 years is absolutely normal.

 

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Bikerider

·Jan 16, 2023

MtV

And do note this isn’t reliable information, just a rough guideline. +/- 2 years is absolutely normal.

thanks because I have a 1952 model 2848 starting with a "12" ; according to the chart would be a 1950...but it's actually a 1952...

 

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MtV

·Jan 16, 2023

B Bikerider

thanks because I have a 1952 model 2848 starting with a "12" ; according to the chart would be a 1950...but it's actually a 1952...

I'd be surprised - the movement wasnt released until ~1955, the reference until 1956 if I recall correctly. In 1952, Omega was still producing bumper movements - your watch, if it's a 2848, has a full-rotor movement (490/491).

 

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Bikerider

·Jan 16, 2023

ho! sorry...that's my fault. My watch is a 2648...

 

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gatorcpa

·Jan 16, 2023·ΩF InvestiGator

B Bikerider

thanks because I have a 1952 model 2848 starting with a "12" ; according to the chart would be a 1950...but it's actually a 1952...

The serial number may start with a “12”, but what are next 2 digits? Since 12 million serial numbers were used between 1950 and 1952, you need to extrapolate from these tables a bit.

Also, the tables give you estimated manufacturing year of the movements only. It could take a year or two for a movement to be tested, cased and shipped to a wholesaler. Then another year or two until it is distributed and sold at retail.
gatorcpa