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Need help/advice: vintage bumper movement cal 351.

A
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Hi everyone!

This is one my great-grandfathers' vintage Omegas that ended up in my possession and I could use the community's help in determining value and to solicit advice on what I should do with it. The dial doesn't appear to be the original, as I can't find any evidence of a even-numbered arabic dial from this era. But let me know if I'm wrong.

The movement is a caliber 351 and the case marking is 2582-5. My guess is that it's a later '50s, early '60s model, but I haven't a clue if it's a Seamaster or something else. The watch runs and sets properly, but the crown (which appears aftermarket) likely isn't screwed down properly, as the crown stem sometimes comes out when trying to set the time.

Let me know if you know anything more about this model! Is there any value in the watch being sold "as-is" or should I get it serviced to fix the deep scratches on the case back?

Thanks for taking a look!

Cal 351.webp Cal 351 case back.webp Cal 351 crown.webp Cal 351 inside case back.webp Cal 351 movement 2.webp Cal 351 movement.webp
 
gatorcpa
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The watch is older than you think. Based on serial number, probably around 1950, maybe a little bit earlier than that.

A watchmaker should be able to sort out the stem issues and maybe help find a proper crown. If you want to sell it, just make it presentable, as most collectors would rather let their own watchmakers do the movement service.

Dial looks original to me. Omega might have had several different dial designs for this case.

Very well preserved watch given its age.
gatorcpa
 
ErichKeane
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Omega Automatic looks suspicious to me, I have a similar one (sub-second) that I'm pretty sure is a redial because of the same text/font, but can't be sure without better pictures of the dail.

I "overpaid" for mine at $350 in a 'works' (but does it really?) state here, and a functional case. I personally serviced mine and it is neat! Even with a real dial and serviced, its probably $600-$700 max, so only get it serviced if you want to wear it, else let the buyer spend the money. Unserviced but real-dial is ~$4-500.

Stem coming out can be 1 of 2 things: That one screw being loose (it actually looks like it is sitting a touch high?), or significant dial-side problems in the keyless works. IF it is the latter, you'll probably pay almost as much to fix that as a full service anyway. So I'd perhaps suggest just selling it as-is if that is your intent.
 
ErichKeane
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Looking closer, my font is somewhat different: So I can't speak to the dial.

1773956951017.webp 1773956968876.webp
 
Canuck
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Don’t change your mind after you sell it because you may have difficulty finding another in that condition. You won’t likely recover your servicing cost if you service it before you sell it. Expect to be offered about enough money to buy a reasonable meal for two. The case appears to be a “gold shell” which (IMO) is very desirable.
 
Spruce
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I have a 1950 cal 351 which I date as 1950 and I think your 11****** serial number suggests 1949.

I attach photos of my gold capped 2577 that has, I believe, an original dial.

I’m sorry to say that based on your rather poor photos, my suspicion is that your dial has been repainted at some stage.

The hands look to me to be replacements like the crown. The hands on mine have slightly more detail than yours - a slight spine gives the shape and definition - and your blue sweet second hand should be gold coloured too.

I also think that they should all be a fraction longer, which is another reason why I think that they are replacements.

The crown, as has been mentioned, is a replacement.

The movement looks nice.


IMG_8727.webp IMG_2455.webp IMG_2458.webp
 
ErichKeane
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Spruce Spruce
I have a 1950 cal 351 which I date as 1950 and I think your 11****** serial number suggests 1949.

I attach photos of my gold capped 2577 that has, I believe, an original dial.

I’m sorry to say that based on your rather poor photos, my suspicion is that your dial has been repainted at some stage.

The hands look to me to be replacements like the crown. The hands on mine have slightly more detail than yours - a slight spine gives the shape and definition - and your blue sweet second hand should be gold coloured too.

I also think that they should all be a fraction longer, which is another reason why I think that they are replacements.

The crown, as has been mentioned, is a replacement.

The movement looks nice.


IMG_8727.webp IMG_2455.webp IMG_2458.webp
The hands are a good point, I pulled similar ones off of the 342 I posted above. I picked up an authentic replacement set, and they have a slight bend down the middle (pulled from an omega envelope!).
 
Spruce
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Looking more closely at the dial photo of @amark29 's watch (using a bigger screen) I might just be persuaded that the dial is two-tone but, I’d like to see a much sharper photo.
 
A
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Spruce Spruce
Looking more closely at the dial photo of @amark29 's watch (using a bigger screen) I might just be persuaded that the dial is two-tone but, I’d like to see a much sharper photo.
Apologies for the poor photo quality, here's another one.

IMG_0775.webp
 
Dan S
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Dial looks ok to me, hands are replacements, IMO. Sell it as-is. It's not worth enough to start restoring. It's presentable, and someone will pay in the ballpark of $500 USD for it. Or you could invest $300-$400 USD (and a lot of time and energy) and sell it for $650.
 
Spruce
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Dan S Dan S
Dial looks ok to me, hands are replacements, IMO. Sell it as-is. It's not worth enough to start restoring. It's presentable, and someone will pay in the ballpark of $500 USD for it. Or you could invest $300-$400 USD (and a lot of time and energy) and sell it for $650.

+1
 
DON
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To be honest. I thought it was a really nice watch until the last image.

While the movement is very clean. I couldn’t overlook that inside damaged lug. Someone could smooth it out possibly, but it would change the lug shape a little.

That damage will prevent a higher price and it should be shown if you sell it
 
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