Old “OMEGA” Seamaster

Lanning91 · Nov 10, 2020

I was recently given a box of old watches from my grandfather who is moving into a more assisted living environment and did not think it was prudent to take much with. Inside were some old pocket watches, a mid 1940’s Tissot, 1950’s Eterna, and this somewhat suspect Omega Seamaster. The Omega seems suspect because I have never seen an Omega with a dial like this, the crown looks a bit off to me (just in general), the gold OMEGA logo looks a bit off... etc.

With all of that said, I am really just looking to verify that it is real, roughly when it is from, and to see if I can get any recommendation on care if it is real. It seemed to keep time very well, but the power reserve only really lasted about 20 hours which seems low (my frame of reference is newer automatic watches I have that last from 48-72 hours).

Thanks in advance for any advice/info!

Dan S · Nov 10, 2020

Great dial. Very nice gift from your grandfather.

bags1971 · Nov 10, 2020

i like it

AngelDeVille · Nov 10, 2020

put a strap on it and wear it, or send it to me.

Zapatta · Nov 10, 2020

Never seen this configuration, but all signs say its original + solid gold case. What's not to like here?!? Wear it in good health..👍

JwRosenthal · Nov 10, 2020

Welcome @Lanning91

It is very much real. Judging from the fact that it is a front-loader but is not marked DeVille, that would put this around 1961ish- they started marking the dials of front loading cases “Deville” after that.
The dial is wonderful, we have seen a few of these- there were a few textured and patterned dials, but they are fairly uncommon. Case looks to be 18k, it’s a very soft metal and you should not try to open the case (through the front) in any way as it will deform the bezel or scratch up the case. Only trust this to a watchmaker. The fact that it’s running having not been serviced in so long is a good sign, 20 hours is fine considering it needs a service (which will also entail replacing the mainspring).
let us know where you are in the world and someone here can recommend a watchmaker with vintage Omega experience near you.
And show us the other watches too- we love all watches.

Oh, and the lume pips on the dial have aged beautifully to that custard yellow. Ask the watchmaker if they have the ability to match the missing lume in the minute hand to the dial color. If not, there are a few people who can do amazing lume matching.
This watch is worth investing the money if you plan to wear and enjoy it.

Dr No · Nov 10, 2020

L Lanning91
I was recently given a box of old watches from my grandfather who is moving into a more assisted living environment and did not think it was prudent to take much with. Inside were some old pocket watches, a mid 1940’s Tissot, 1950’s Eterna, and this somewhat suspect Omega Seamaster. The Omega seems suspect because I have never seen an Omega with a dial like this, the crown looks a bit off to me (just in general), the gold OMEGA logo looks a bit off... etc.

With all of that said, I am really just looking to verify that it is real, roughly when it is from, and to see if I can get any recommendation on care if it is real. It seemed to keep time very well, but the power reserve only really lasted about 20 hours which seems low (my frame of reference is newer automatic watches I have that last from 48-72 hours).

Thanks in advance for any advice/info!

I've seen a few of these clamshell dials before. It's authentic.

Art

wsfarrell · Nov 10, 2020

Dr No
I've seen a few of these clamshell dials before. It's authentic.

Art

Good to have another name for these dials to aid in searching. In the eBay "value" thread someone coined the term "sunrise from 6," which, while poetic, doesn't seem widely used.

JwRosenthal · Nov 10, 2020

wsfarrell
Good to have another name for these dials to aid in searching. In the eBay "value" thread someone coined the term "sunrise from 6," which, while poetic, doesn't seem widely used.

That was me- poetic is not a term I have heard used for myself, but I’ll take it.

Edward53 · Nov 10, 2020

That is a lovely watch! I think it says 14K on the case not 18K.

JwRosenthal · Nov 10, 2020

Edward53
That is a lovely watch! I think it says 14K on the case not 18K.

You have much better eyes than I

And a note to the OP- when you do get it serviced, make sure to specify that you don’t want the case polished by machine in any way. A hand rub with a cape cod cloth is fine to remove surface crud (a damp rag is all I would do), but machine polishing will remove material and soften the sharp edges of the case. Although this is not what they would call “unpolished”, it still has its edges.

Zdzislaw · Nov 10, 2020

L Lanning91
I was recently given a box of old watches from my grandfather who is moving into a more assisted living environment and did not think it was prudent to take much with. Inside were some old pocket watches, a mid 1940’s Tissot, 1950’s Eterna, and this somewhat suspect Omega Seamaster. The Omega seems suspect because I have never seen an Omega with a dial like this, the crown looks a bit off to me (just in general), the gold OMEGA logo looks a bit off... etc.

With all of that said, I am really just looking to verify that it is real, roughly when it is from, and to see if I can get any recommendation on care if it is real. It seemed to keep time very well, but the power reserve only really lasted about 20 hours which seems low (my frame of reference is newer automatic watches I have that last from 48-72 hours).

Thanks in advance for any advice/info!

I knew I have seen this dial somewhere, bacause it is one of my personal favorites and it is called "seashell" dial, so seashell on seamaster makes total sense to me. Enjoy 😉
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-seamaster-awesome-seashell-dial-solid-14k-case.113209/

Lanning91 · Nov 10, 2020

That is awesome news, thank you for the quick replies! I was really struggling to define the dial when I was scouring the internet for anything similar. The case does indeed say 14K between the lugs. I am definitely planning on keeping/wearing it as I really do like the way it looks with the patina (and the sentimental value of course) I am in the western suburbs of Chicago, any recommendations would be hugely appreciated. Also here is a a picture of _some_ of the others that he gave me along with the two that I wear day to day that I got for myself. Looking forward to classing up the collection a bit once I get this one serviced and a nice leather band or something.

Zdzislaw · Nov 10, 2020

L Lanning91
That is awesome news, thank you for the quick replies! I was really struggling to define the dial when I was scouring the internet for anything similar. The case does indeed say 14K between the lugs. I am definitely planning on keeping/wearing it as I really do like the way it looks with the patina (and the sentimental value of course) I am in the western suburbs of Chicago, any recommendations would be hugely appreciated. Also here is a a picture of _some_ of the others that he gave me along with the two that I wear day to day that I got for myself. Looking forward to classing up the collection a bit once I get this one serviced and a nice leather band or something.

🥰😉

Zdzislaw · Nov 10, 2020

JwRosenthal
That was me- poetic is not a term I have heard used for myself, but I’ll take it.

You have to admit "seashell" has nice ring to it 😉

Vitezi · Nov 10, 2020

L Lanning91
because I have never seen an Omega with a dial like this

The dial is sometimes referred to as a scallop dial:

KAP · Nov 11, 2020

This a very nice uni-shell case Seamaster pre-DeVille watch with an uncommon clamshell dial as I have heard it referred too. For period consistency, get a flat, 18mm/16mm non padded strap which are usually in a 2.5 to 3 mm thickness. Enjoy that watch gem. All of what your grandfather left you are great. To make the pocket watches more useable in modern times take a look at what fellow OF member is making for sale.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/pocket-watch-lanyards.115644/

Rudi99 · Nov 11, 2020

Hi Lanning and welcome to the forum.

Fantastic gifts left by your grandfather! If you get it serviced and cleaned (but like others said not polished) and wear it whilst visiting your grandfather in his new home, I am sure you will put a smile in his face. 👍

I agree with the above and I believe a nice flat strap would look really nice on that watch.

Wear them in good health!

Rudi

DaveK · Nov 11, 2020

Vitezi
The dial is sometimes referred to as a scallop dial:

Here’s the perfect strap for a scallop dial watch

onlyomega94 · Nov 11, 2020

That's a great looking watch, OP. And a quite unique dial. Congrats.

Old “OMEGA” Seamaster

Lanning91

Dan S

bags1971

AngelDeVille

Zapatta

JwRosenthal

Dr No

wsfarrell

JwRosenthal

Edward53

JwRosenthal

Zdzislaw

Lanning91

Zdzislaw

Zdzislaw

Vitezi

KAP

Rudi99

DaveK

onlyomega94

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