Hi can you please advise me. I have just purchased an Omega Seamaster Professional 300m, model number 2562.80 and serial no. 54xxxxxx. This watch has an calibre 1438 movement. I have owned similar watches before and they all had the calibre 1538 movements. I wonder if the movement has been changed at some point?
I’ve done a quick internet search and found some people saying that only in 1993 Omega uses the calibre 1438 movement in SMP 300m. That fits in with the date of this watch. However I can’t seem to find any hard evidence this is correct.
Would anyone be able to advise me please as I am bit concerned concerned I have purchased a watch with the incorrect movement.
Many thanks and I look forward to hearing from you. P.S I have attached a photo of the movement and watch.

 

No it’s just an early model. It likely is 93-95. Quartz mid size polished bezel variant with fried egg tritium dial. You could polish that bezel with cape cod or similar if you are careful to mask off what should be brushed.

 

Thank you padders. I’ll polish the bezel as you have suggested. Are you certain that the early model had a 1438 movement? Omega website describes this model as 1538 only. I really need to be sure as I’ve got the option to return the watch in the next few days.
Thanks

 

I did a search on calibre 1438/1538 in the database and the closely related 1993 Bond Seamaster and white dialed variant have both calibres listed.

 

This model originally came with the 1438 movement, that was later updated to the 1538. What is the case number on the inside of the case back?

 

Thank you for your advice Archer. I’ll give details of the case reference when I get back in later today.

 

Hi Archer, the case numbers stamped inside the case back are 196 1502 and 396 1502.

 

So, there were two different case numbers used on this specific 26528000 reference. The earlier version is 196.1502, and that was the Cal. 1438 version. By the time the case changed to the later 196.1522, the movement had changed to the 1538.

Your watch is fine.

Cheers, Al

 

Thank you Archer that is great news and thank you for your advice it’s very much appreciated.

 

Glad I could help with your concerns.

 

I was wondering if Omega uses the same case for the 2562.80 and the automatic version (2552.80)?

 

No, but similar clearly. Firstly it would have a different case number, since the first 3 digits define what kind of movement/purpose (196 for non chrono certified waterproof quartz with date vs 168 for certified waterproof auto with date) and secondly the SMP caseback is in my experience slightly less domed (for want if a better word) on the quartz model than the auto.

 

I see, thank you! I wonder if the stem height is the same tho, meaning mid cases are identical. I could get specifics for the cal.1120 used on the automatic version, but nothing on the quartz movement

 

I don’t know but perhaps our resident authorised watchmaker @Archer might be persuaded to comment. Are you looking to convert one to the other?

it might be in here;

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1061439/Omega-1538.html

 

I love that dial.

 

Indeed, I am thinking of swapping the movements cause I'm not much of a quartz fan

 

You'll need a new dial too then, not just for the text but the date window is in a very different place between 1120 and 1538.

 

I don't believe there will be enough depth in the case to do this...

 

I see.. thank you for your answers!

 

I have the same model and it has the 1438 also. I’m getting OEM new hands and service on the movement.