I have a vintage Omega Seamaster I inherited from my great grandfather, he was a merchant marine in WWII, I have looked online for quite a while and have not found one quite like this. I’d appreciate any information anyone could share whether generally or relating to this specific watch. I know the band is not original, the patent date on it was 1962.

 

Aftermarket bracelet.

All of the information about this watch is on the inside of the caseback. Have a decent watch maker open it for you. Take clear pictures of the movement and caseback we can tell you a lot about it.

 

Great looking watch. I am no expert, but it could be a cal 500 ?

https://omegaforums.net/threads/flea-market-seamaster-500.8923/


If you plan to keep the watch a few things I'd do (experts feel free to correct me):

1) Be careful of the band, cheap metal ones like that COULD damage the case
2) Do as direct by @Foo2rama
3) If you plan keeping the watch, have an EXPERIENCED watch maker service the watch--- Do your homework here and find someone good. This will be a few hundred USD, but is worth it for a family heirloom like this

Great find and welcome to the board

 

Up until now I have not had the funds to have it serviced but am hoping to soon. I have taken it to a few jewelry stores that do watch repairs and that are reputable and have been in business for many years in my area but they do not want to open it without servicing it. The one guy that was recommended to me by several people I know who have used him said he could service it for $145.00. The band is actually very well made to be aftermarket but I am going to go with a nice leather band, either a red or med/dark brown. Too much gold for me.

 

I bought a band from Walmart for my old Seamaster. It was like $10 and does the job.

Be very careful. Servicing vintage Omegas can be a tough job. There are MANY people who will claim they can do the work. However, do your homework and make sure they have documented experience working with vintage watches. Save up if you need to, but be sure it is fixed right.

Just because a Jewelry store does watch repairs doesn't know diddly about Vintage Omegas

 

Thanks for all The advice! I really would like to work it where I could watch him do the repairs, for the learning experience to get photos of the movement.

 

What @gatorcpa says. How many auto mechanics would want you hanging out around, watching their every move for hours. A good repair person may supply lots of photos, but are highly unlikely to want you to watch them. Also unless you live in a large city, it is unlikely you will have someone who can be trusted to do this type of work in your area.

 

Good idea, with a dark brown leather! It will mitigate the bling factor a lot.

 

What are some good questions to ask the potential watch repairman before having it serviced to help determine if he is qualified to be messing around in my vintage omega? Also I have seen browsing in here people referring to a watch being polished wrong or not wanting to buy a watch that has been polished or over polished? Would someone mind sharing kinda what these things mean and what they do to the value of the watch? I want it to look it’s best when I finish with it but do not want to lose any value.

 

https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish.52603/

 

Many thanks! Learned a lot reading through that thread!

 

Finally got the old Seamaster serviced. Here are some photos of the inside.