This was a BIN auction on the 'Bay last week. Seemed very reasonably priced, from a reputable seller who sells mostly antique items. Solid 14k yellow gold case (although pics show a pinkish hue) that appears unpolished, case number is 2627-SC, the Cal 353 movement serial dated to 1950, correct "S" script on "Seamaster", correct hands - everything seemed to line up. Plus, the seller had a 14-day return policy. Clicked BIN so fast I almost sprained my finger.

The question marks are:

No pic where the entire "Seamaster" script was visible
Not sure if crown is correct as the logo is not visible
Pic of case back was not very clear (though the 0.585 gold hallmark is legible)

I know we have a lot of resident Seamaster Calendar experts here, so please feel free to chime in if something seems off!

This is at the local UPS sorting facility and I can't wait to pick it up on Monday!

For now, here are some of the seller's pics:

 

Yep, that looks correct for a reference 2627. The square date window is from the early ones (1952 into early 1953) and your serial number is from 1951 so it probably was assembled and issued in '52. It looks like the correct crown for an early version, and is that an Ω logo on it in the third from the last picture? Overall, not bad - just a little polished on the lugs.

 

Thanks for the input Dennis. What was the giveaway that the lugs are polished? Should the edges be sharper on this case reference?

 

Actually, I think the top should be brushed running from the case to the tip.

 

This is my example of what the lugs should look like



This is my pre-Seamaster waffle with the same square date window

 

Nice. Does this have spring bar holes? Do you happen to have pictures showing the case from the side?

 

For some reason, I was thinking that this particular case (2627-SC) had more rounded lugs. I was comparing to this listing, which has the exact same case reference with no holes on the sides:



I don't mind lightly polished watches, but if it was overpolished to the point that the lugs got rounded then it could be an issue. I'm getting the watch on Monday and will post more pics. I do have a 14-day return window, which is reassuring.

 

Mine is a 2627 but does have lug holes so you may be right about the lugs being originally more rounded

 

The watch in this picture also appears to have very polished lugs

 

Another 2627-SC (http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalog.html?action=load&lotid=152&auctionid=28#dummy). Wrong crown though. Maybe polished as well?



I really do appreciate your input guys. Still fairly new to collecting vintage watches and I'll be charging oversights to experience.

 

Most examples that you will find will be somewhat polished. The one you purchased and the one in this pic aren't too over polished IMO

 

I know some craftsmen who are very good at grinding and reshaping these gold cases. The ones you have just bought may be in much better shape than the ones that the amateurs praise them sharp and mint.

If you use a caliper and measure them, sometimes a sharp case is thinner than a case with round edges.

 

Thanks for the input Hoi. Scary proposition - sounds like one has to be at a experienced/expert collector level to really tell if a vintage watch has been messed with or not!

I paid about $1.2k for this, which I felt that was a good price for what seemed to be an all-original example in my eyes. The 14k gold case was also a big deal to me as I wanted to take advantage of gold prices being low.

Any thoughts on how I did for the price?

 

I think you are doing ok at that price. I have seen the same sold for 1.4K . One thing you should change is the second hand, looks like a generic one, not original from Omega

and here is a gold case with lugs that have been worked on

 

I would have honestly looked at that and deemed it an unpolished case. Also, the second hand did not jump out immediately, but now that I look at it closely it does not taper like an original Omega hand does. $20.00 fix though so its no biggie to me.

Man, I have a ways to go in this hobby. Haha.

 

Yes and Omega hands don't have that
"Big hole"




Omega original

 

Well, here she is! Just got her back from my watchmaker after a full cleaning of the movement. Please excuse the crappy iPhone pic



First impressions: This watch is very aesthetically pleasing - pictures do not do it justice at all. It wears super comfortably on my wrist and the "thumping" of the bumper movement feels amazing. Loving my first (and most likely not last) bumper!