My 1961 Seamaster

Scooterino36 · Oct 3, 2020

Hi all, thought I would share my vintage Seamaster that I purchased earlier this year.

What Can You Tell Us?
Purchased this from a vintage seller on Reddit.

Reference 14389-61-CSP
Caliber 268 from 1961
Rose gold alpha hands and rose gold applied indices
White sunburst dial
Service history unknown, but keeps good time and winds well

For anyone that is curious, I have this watch on a Fluco shell cordovan strap. Considering getting a black one as well to have every formal occasion covered.

How Can We Help You?

I purchased this watch to be my keeper dress watch. As such, I am interested to know if there are any indications of unoriginal parts or evidence of a redial. In a nutshell, I am interested to hear member's opinions on the condition of this watch.

Is It Owned Or Being Considered?

I own this watch, but please be honest with your assessment 👍

All pictures are my own, save for the movement and open caseback. I've never opened a watch before, so I intend to wait until I have it serviced before taking my own photos of the movement. Thanks all!

wilderbeast · Oct 3, 2020

First of all, as a dress watch, I think this is an excellent choice: understated, clean and classy. I like the gold dial furniture against the SS case, which looks unpolished from the photos.

I’m not an expert, but the Seamaster text looks a little thick to me, and the first E not quite right. The dial is also exceptionally clean for its age. Those reasons MIGHT suggest a redial, but there are others who will be more confident in their assessment than I.

Regardless, you bought it to wear for dressy occasions, and there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy it. It’s a handsome piece!

And I think a smart black leather strap will be perfect for the smartest occasions!

padders · Oct 3, 2020

The text does look pretty thick but that might just be down to the closeness of the pictures which are excellent. I am coming down on the side of original. That sunburst on the dial would be hard to replicate. The Swiss Made text looks right too, and I can't see any spacing irregularities on the minute ticks. Overall it looks pretty clean and tidy with a nice bevel on the lugs, it's a nice thing. One other thing, it may have actually been made in early 1962, the iteration number in the caseback (-61 here) doesn't mean it was made that year, just that this version was introduced then, that serial is certainly around then but could be '62. The way to find out for certain is to apply for an extract of the archives but at ~$130 that isn't a cheap option and not remotely a necessity.

Pretty good post all round really.

DaveK · Oct 3, 2020

A bit sun exposed in this photo, but here is my 61 Seamaster for font comparison, it’s a 14765 -2 with cal 552 though

Edited for correct ref # 🤔

padders · Oct 3, 2020

Here is a 14389 pic borrowed from a sales post on another forum. The text looks pretty similar to me:

wilderbeast · Oct 3, 2020

@Scooterino36 - @padders is exactly the kind of member you can rely on in this situation 😀

I'd be more reassured by that, and you now have some useful points of comparison from other images.

Wear your Seamaster in good health!

Scooterino36 · Oct 3, 2020

Thanks everyone for their contributions.

Comparing my Seamaster to the photo provided by @padders the text, to my eye, looks remarkably similar.

Scooterino36 · Oct 3, 2020

wilderbeast
@Scooterino36 - @padders is exactly the kind of member you can rely on in this situation 😀

I'd be more reassured by that, and you now have some useful points of comparison from other images.

Wear your Seamaster in good health!

Much obliged!

I must say, what surprised me the most is how well this wears across the wrist for a vintage watch. Does not feel dainty or small, especially considering that I wear almost exclusively sports watches.

What passes as a dress watch today, but was considered a do-it-all piece in it’s time, really appeals to me.

wilderbeast · Oct 3, 2020

Agreed. It’s a size you definitely get used to!

Scooterino36 · Oct 3, 2020

padders
The way to find out for certain is to apply for an extract of the archives but at ~$130 that isn't a cheap option and not remotely a necessity

That is just the kind of thing that would make a keeper watch a little more special. Especially if I end up gifting it someday. Thanks again

Dan S · Oct 3, 2020

Very nice example. 👍

Widows Son · Oct 3, 2020

Beautiful watch!!! Dial looks great to me and movement very clean, will look great with a suit.

Scooterino36 · Nov 13, 2020

wilderbeast
And I think a smart black leather strap will be perfect for the smartest occasions!

What do you think, is this black Fluco shell cordovan working with the rose gold?

DaveK · Nov 13, 2020

I think a strap with finer thread (or smaller stitching holes), like the brown one next to it, would be ideal

Scooterino36 · Nov 13, 2020

DaveK
I think a strap with finer thread (or smaller stitching holes), like the brown one next to it, would be ideal

These are actually identical straps in different colors, but agreed on the stitching holes.

DaveK · Nov 13, 2020

Well there you go, never trust what you see on the internet 😬

Scooterino36 · Nov 13, 2020

DaveK
Well there you go, never trust what you see on the internet 😬

My wife called the black strap “garish” and made a look of disgust, but said she liked the brown strap. 😁

DaveK · Nov 13, 2020

Scooterino36
My wife called the black strap “garish” and made a look of disgust, but said she liked the brown strap. 😁

Shell Cordovan is never garish, only expensive.

amcclell · Nov 13, 2020

Both straps are fine, in my opinion. I think these old Seamasters also look good on a leather nato.

My 1961 Seamaster

Scooterino36

wilderbeast

padders

DaveK

padders

wilderbeast

Scooterino36

Scooterino36

wilderbeast

Scooterino36

Dan S

Widows Son

Scooterino36

DaveK

Scooterino36

DaveK

Scooterino36

DaveK

amcclell

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