Newbie Question on 1954? Bumper

Stumblintrucker · Mar 17, 2022

Hey everyone, someone, anyone...
I was wondering if you could help me out. I am new to this but learning. I bought a bumper recently for a good price. It runs well but is well loved. It looks like it is from 1954 based on the serial # and was made for the US market?

Cal.354. The caseback has seen better days and the glass has a few light scratches. My question is, I can't really find any other with the same black dial with crosshairs and the lugs are definitely unique. Did they make a lot of different dial designs at that time? Everything I see with crosshairs is normally a Seamaster or a Constellation. Would love to pick the brain of whomever is smarter than me. I am hoping to give to my dad so the more info I can glean the better. I attached a few images.
Appreciate any info!

SkunkPrince · Mar 17, 2022

Yes, they made a variety of dials for each watch. Enclosed is a 1955 catalog that contains your watch. Clearly the catalog has the two watches reversed.

It seems to be fairly obviously refinished, so factor that in as well.

Screen Shot 2022-03-17 at 6.24.00 PM.png

Stumblintrucker · Mar 17, 2022

SkunkPrince
Yes, they made a variety of dials for each watch. Enclosed is a 1955 catalog that contains your watch. Clearly the catalog has the two watches reversed.

It seems to be fairly obviously refinished, so factor that in as well.

Thanks! That image is great! Curious as I am new to this. When you say obviously refinished are you saying the crosshairs are not original? Anything else that screams out to you?
Thanks again for sharing!

SkunkPrince · Mar 17, 2022

S Stumblintrucker
Thanks! That image is great! Curious as I am new to this. When you say obviously refinished are you saying the crosshairs are not original? Anything else that screams out to you?
Thanks again for sharing!

They were probably not original, no. The OMEGA AUTOMATIC script is heavy and sloppy compared to the original dial. These things deteriorated and people refinished them to make them look nice. So you'll find many watches with refinished dials. Up to you whether you care.

Stumblintrucker · Mar 17, 2022

SkunkPrince
They were probably not original, no. The OMEGA AUTOMATIC script is heavy and sloppy compared to the original dial. These things deteriorated and people refinished them to make them look nice. So you'll find many watches with refinished dials. Up to you whether you care.

Thanks again. That is what I thought and I can't find the exact same hour markers on similar watches online, so I had a sneaking suspicion. All In all though he will like the look so that is all that matters!

SkunkPrince · Mar 17, 2022

S Stumblintrucker
Thanks again. That is what I thought and I can't find the exact same hour markers on similar watches online, so I had a sneaking suspicion. All In all though he will like the look so that is all that matters!

There are far fewer US Collection watches around than International Collection.

You also should be aware that the lug spacing is 11/16" than 18mm. That's why you had to smoosh that strap in. You can find NOS 11/16" straps on eBay, or most labeled 17 are just a hair oversize to fit. The NOS straps are for smaller people, I have to buy a "long" version.

Stumblintrucker · Mar 18, 2022

Thanks for all of this appreciate it!

Newbie Question on 1954? Bumper

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