Hi all! I have this Omega watch that I purchased recently from a well known vintage watch store in New Orleans, Louisiana.
I was looking for a nice vintage dress watch and I’m new to these things. I know the strap is obviously not original, but the seller claimed everything else would be and the watch was just cleaned. I wanted to buy this from a vintage watch dealer and I was willing to pay little premium, so I wouldn’t have to deal with ebay etc.

This was sold to me as a 1956 Seamaster model, but I haven’t been able to find anything similar online. It says “Seamaster “ and “waterproof” on the back. The dial is completely different of what I’ve seen.
I haven’t seen the movement either, nor do I have pictures of it right now, I was told it’s 1956 “500 series?” I believe. It’s automatic and runs very well.

I’m not too stressed out about if it’s completely original, for which it looks a bit too good to be honest, but I would want to know better what do I have here.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. I will try to get the case opened and get pics from the inside as well. Sorry about the poor quality pics.

 

Can we see inside the case back and the movement?

 

I will get it opened in few days. I most certainly don’t want to try to open it myself.

 

It could well be a late 1950s model 50X movement SM but looks like a redial with a 1940s dial design.

Here is a gold 1956 501 movement SM 2846-1 for comparison. The caseback is the same.

 

I saw similar style dials on some 40s watches, but it seems to me that this one doesn’t have anything to do with Omega though.
I’m probably going to try to find correct dial for this at some point, but for now I’ll keep it as is. I’m probably going to go back to that store to give some feedback though. At least I got a free drink with the watch.

 

Redial.

 

Is not the shape of the logo the most obvious problem? It looks asymmetrical to me...

 

Agree on redial. The dial should be a Seamaster dial.

Wrong crown too.

 

It definitely is asymmetrical. That caught my attention as well.
Well, let’s see what’s inside the case. I will take it to a watchmaker today.

 

redial, wrong crown, polished case and I'm not too sure about the hands either. though with a bit of luck the dial could be sourced

 

OK. Took it to another watchmaker to pop the back open. What do you think?

 

There has to be a serial number on the movement. What does it say?

 

Looks like a 1956 501 on a 2846, exactly like the watch I showed above. Serial will be mid-high 15m. As I said, Redial.

 

The movement number is 15172146, which I believe is correct for this case?

 

US market watch hence only 17 jewel 500 movement with OXG mark. It isn’t the movement you need to worry about, that’s fine, it’s the dial which is totally wrong for this design.

 

Thank you for your help! I realized the dial is completely wrong and I specifically asked the seller about it and he said it’s correct. I think it’s time to visit the seller again at some point. I do like the way the dial looks, so the watch will do it’s job as is for now.

 

I might have a little, but it’s OK. I’m planning on keeping this to myself and use it regularly.

I have other pieces on my mind as well, but let’s see.

 

Hi
My advice would be to return it. It might seem acceptable for now, but once you get into a bit more detail about Omega watches it will start to bug you that it’s not original.
If you ever try and sell it, it won’t be easy as it will be recognised as a redial and will have to be priced according. Lots of other nice, original omega watches out there to choose from.
But it’s your money and you do with it as you want. If you’re happy then enjoy.

Best of luck