I've been offered dibs on a Seamaster 1948 LE small seconds, and I'm wondering if anyone here has one. I'm seriously considering getting it, but it would be a bit of a stretch - doable certainly. It hadn't really been on my radar, but it's gorgeous and very different from the other pieces in my small collection.


Thoughts? Should I not pass this up? Thanks for any suggestions.

 

I love it, but the price is too expensive from my point of view... I would prefer hunt the vintage

 

I like it too but at the end I decided to go vintage. I found a beaten 1950 vintage bumper small seconds and send it to Omega. And even after the full restoration by Omega in Switzerland,it was cheaper than the new version.

 

@Pepe Lucas nice one!

how much did cost the service and dial change by omega?

 

For someone looking for a modern watch (even one only used on special occasions) a vintage bumper model may be a tad too small or even a bit flimsy feeling. The one @Pepe Lucas shows is 34.5mm and even the jumbo version is a fair bit smaller than the modern ones at 36.5mm.

I like the modern ones, but they are too big for me - the jumbos are where it's at for me

 

I like the re-edition 1948, spoiled somewhat by the back. Would have been better to have a solid back, imo.

 

The service it self wasn’t that bad, $550 all parts included. The pricey part was the redial. They didn’t have a replacement dial so they had to stripped down and do the redial. I think that it was $900 bucks. So around $1700 with the watch.

 

It's a bit thick too; be sure to take that into account before buying.

 

I am very happy with mine. I find it much nicer in person than in pictures.
Only comments are that indeed it’s a bit thick (but much thinner than my broad arrow speed master) and the case back it useless. But I don’t see the latter when I wear it.

 

I know it might be blasphemy, but I think that redial looks great. I really want one of these, but seems increasingly hard to find one in good shape. It's a bit pricey, but cool to know that this is an option.

 

Not cheap, But at least it may have been done properly!
I think it is still possible to get one with a dial which is not too patinated

 

While I tend to agree the vintage models are in many cases more 'desirable'; that is of course a matter of preference. Personally I quite like the re-edition and have been looking for a small-seconds casually since seeing one in my then local boutique some time ago - are you being offered this new from a boutique or dealer, or grey/private market, if I may ask? IIRC these didn't sell as quickly as expected in all places and there may be some negotiating room - although the only person I know who haggled one down was picking up the large seconds model.

Good luck!

 

I picked up the large seconds from a Canadian AD for an excellent price, but decided not to keep it in the end. Loved plenty about it but I own a few vintage pieces I found I preferred. It is a beautifully-made piece and very nicely presented also. If I'd been able to track down the small seconds it might have been a different story.

 

I have the small seconds, and I find it amazing! It is a tad thick like others said, but it wears very comfortably. I keep mine on the tan leather strap. There is a lot of hate on the back of the watch, but I rarely look at the back side...it's just beautiful in my opinion...

 

Update:

I stopped by my boutique and picked it up. I got a bit carried away, I admit - once I tried it on, that was it.

What my sales associate told me was that they were contacted by Omega HQ in Switzerland - apparently a few of these were found in back stock, and hadn't been shipped out. HQ offered this one to the boutique, and I got a call. Very lucky to have this.

 

Congrats on the pickup! Nice that you were able to pick up a brand new one! Wear in good health!

 

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and perspective. Great pics of some seriously gorgeous vintage pieces.

Another reason why I love this forum.

 

Congratulations on your new piece. I heard a similar story about a 45th Snoopy award. It seemed like there was still one left on the system and the boutiques were trying to get it but at the end HQ directly choose the lucky one by purchase history.

 

Congratulations! Enjoy it.