Newbie looking for information on vintage omega seamaster

vintage omega wa · 2026-11-08T17:44:44-0600

Hi all, newbie so I looking for advice and information on an Omega Seamaster, calibre 491, Ref No 2848 and Serial No. 14,662,708. It has good Patina, not over done, the faint, circular "snailing" grooves stamped into the dial plate. The text is razor-sharp, and the cross-bars of the letters sit perfectly parallel to the horizontal axis of the dial. The 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, and 11 markers look like they are faceted gold arrowheads. The movement is spotless, screw heads are very clean and the groves are sharp. The rear case cover gives the information it is supposed to give. Any advise on other aspects that I have missed, I would welcome your comments.

WatchBreaker · 2026-11-08T18:15:48-0600

Welcome. Nice looking Seamaster.

Take a closer look at that caseback reference number - from your photos it reads 2849-1 to me, not 2848. The ref 2849 is the sub-seconds Seamaster automatic with the cal 491, which matches your watch. Ref 2848 is the center-seconds version with the cal 490. The -1 suffix indicates stainless steel case.

Serial 14,662,708 puts production at approximately 1956.

A few things worth looking at that you didn’t mention: the crown - is it original or a replacement? For this era you’d expect a signed Omega crown, either the older “naiad” style or the flat logo type. Also worth checking if the crystal is the original hesalite dome or if it’s been swapped at some point. And the case - has it been polished? The lugs still look well-defined in your photo, which is a good sign.

The movement looks clean and the dial has a nice even patina. Good find.

vintage omega wa · 2026-11-08T18:24:13-0600

WatchBreaker
Welcome. Nice looking Seamaster.

Take a closer look at that caseback reference number - from your photos it reads 2849-1 to me, not 2848. The ref 2849 is the sub-seconds Seamaster automatic with the cal 491, which matches your watch. Ref 2848 is the center-seconds version with the cal 490. The -1 suffix indicates stainless steel case.

Serial 14,662,708 puts production at approximately 1956.

A few things worth looking at that you didn’t mention: the crown - is it original or a replacement? For this era you’d expect a signed Omega crown, either the older “naiad” style or the flat logo type. Also worth checking if the crystal is the original hesalite dome or if it’s been swapped at some point. And the case - has it been polished? The lugs still look well-defined in your photo, which is a good sign.

The movement looks clean and the dial has a nice even patina. Good find.

Thank you for your comments, I think the crown has been replaced, I’m assured the crystal is original and the case was not polished.

SOG53 · 2026-11-08T18:38:17-0600

Welcome
Are you considering buying this watch, or already did so?
Your assessment sounds correct, it looks like an original example with replaced crown. I would call indices dagger, rather than arrowhead. If you are considering buying then including the asking price is helpful as members can comment if it is reasonable.
Do you have more case photos, including back? More dial photos as well- looks like asymmetric stain but could be shadow.

vintage omega wa · 2026-11-08T18:52:44-0600

Hi SOG53, I’m looking to buy it. I have it at €960.

SOG53 · 2026-11-08T19:27:05-0600

The dial "stain" moves with different angles so I think it is just shadow. Have you seen it in hand? It has some remaining radiium lume you can see on tips of indices.
The crown can be easily changed I think it would be a clover style as in this 2849 from 1957.

If I recall OF member @cristos71 had some of these crowns FS. Check Watch Parts and Accessories thread.

If you love it its priced a little high but not outrageous. Any documented service history? Factor service cost in as well.

vintage omega wa · 2026-11-08T19:34:27-0600

vintage omega wa
Hi SOG53, I’m looking to buy it. I have it at €960.

SOG53
The dial "stain" moves with different angles so I think it is just shadow. Have you seen it in hand? It has some remaining radiium lume you can see on tips of indices.
The crown can be easily changed I think it would be a clover style as in this 2849 from 1957.

If I recall OF member @cristos71 had some of these crowns FS. Check Watch Parts and Accessories thread.

If you love it its priced a little high but not outrageous. Any documented service history? Factor service cost in as well.

padders · 2026-11-09T01:44:09-0600

WatchBreaker
Welcome. Nice looking Seamaster.

Take a closer look at that caseback reference number - from your photos it reads 2849-1 to me, not 2848. The ref 2849 is the sub-seconds Seamaster automatic with the cal 491, which matches your watch. Ref 2848 is the center-seconds version with the cal 490. The -1 suffix indicates stainless steel case.

Serial 14,662,708 puts production at approximately 1956.

A few things worth looking at that you didn’t mention: the crown - is it original or a replacement? For this era you’d expect a signed Omega crown, either the older “naiad” style or the flat logo type. Also worth checking if the crystal is the original hesalite dome or if it’s been swapped at some point. And the case - has it been polished? The lugs still look well-defined in your photo, which is a good sign.

The movement looks clean and the dial has a nice even patina. Good find.

2846 has Centre Second (SC in caseback) uses 500/501 movement
2848 has Sub Second uses 490/491
2949 has date and Centre Second uses 502/503

I assume the photo has been swapped since you posted this since even on my phone that caseback clearly says 2848 as it should. Looks nothing like 2849 to me. I’d personally put the serial shown at 1955 but it’s hard to be definitive without an extract so I guess ‘56 is possible. The iteration -1 indicates it’s the first version, not the metal type.

€900 is maybe a bit toppy here but it’s a nice honest watch and if running right not too silly. Dealers have to eat I guess. I note the caseback gasket is a bit squashed so it might not have been serviced recently. Don’t assume it will have any water resistance at all as a result and if it isn’t in fact running well you may need to budget another ~€300 to make it do so. Run well that is. At that point it would have become rather expensive.

vintage omega wa · 2026-11-09T02:34:53-0600

Hi SOO53, I haven’t held it as it’s a friend of a friend who is in Spain and selling privately, so just pictures across the internet. What price would you put it at? Many thanks

Fallout Boy · 2026-11-09T02:43:22-0600

Do not buy via blurry hand-held pictures....my2cents

padders · 2026-11-09T03:30:00-0600

Well bearing in mind what I said above about servicing, more like €500-600 would be where I would want to be. Especially since the crown isn’t right.

I don’t think the pics are too bad personally. I’ve seen a lot worse!

vintage omega wa · 2026-11-09T05:41:50-0600

Thanks Padders, no that’s the same picture. The 14,xxx,xxx started in 1954 and ran to the end of 1955. 15,xxx,xxx then came in for 1956 and 1957. I reckon it is early 1955. 1954 was the introduction of the 490 and later that year the 491, which is basically the same just two extra jewels. You’re right about a service.

gatorcpa · 2026-11-09T06:03:33-0600

Crystal should have an Omega symbol on the inside. Pictures here are not sharp enough to see it.

I can tell you that at €900, the dealer is charging you for it whether it is there or not.

Be careful here.
gatorcpa

Newbie looking for information on vintage omega seamaster

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