Omega ref 2846 Stainless Auto cal 501 no-date

[gmmy775]

My journey with collecting Omega seems to oscillate between older and newer older. To me older is 50s to early 70s, and newer older is late 80s to early 2000s. My latest acquisition is definitely older, like around 1952. I checked a few wishlist boxes with this one: Patinated almost pie-pan domed dial; snapback Seamaster case; and fat lugs. I suspect that I purchased this watch from a forum member, as he was selling a few vintage Omegas, was quite honest, and self-critiqued the timepiece.

I opened the box and unwrapped the bubble wrap with some anticipation. When the dial appeared I just grinned. It certainly isn't perfect, but the defects are all minor. The patina is just warm and charming. My images fall short of capturing the pinkish copper overall cast to the color. I am a bracelet guy, so I went into my cabinet and picked out a generic stainless job that seemed to sync with the broad lugs, and didn't need a bunch of fitting. Wearing it, I find myself looking down and admiring it. Mission accomplished.

The previous owner disclosed that it would require service. Fortunately, I consider just about all of my vintage watches candidates for full service. It is a surprisingly good performer on the timegrapher, and it won't embarrass me with it's timekeeping chops until the service queue shortens up. The rotor has a bit of wobble, has scuffed the inside case back and taken some copper plating off. Not sure if this is easily corrected in a service, so I just ordered an identical one without any appreciable wear.

Spec sheet:

Omega ref 2849-13SC ss auto cal 501 no-date

Width w/o Crown: 34.25 mm

Length: 41.80 mm

Depth: 11.85 mm w/crystal

Lug Width: 17.95 mm

Crystal: 29.30Dia mm, in watch. Domed acrylic, not Omega

Crown: 5.40Dia mm, signed

Case Back Diameter: 33.55 mm, snap

Inside case back inscription: Dichtung In Boden Einsetzen Loger Le Joint Dans Le Fond; Acier Inoxyable; Omega symbol and Omega Watch Company, inside triangle; Fab Suisse; Swiss Made; Patent + 315164; 2849 13 SC;Fit Washer in Back; Ponga La Junta En El Fondo

Engraving on outside case back: embossed Hippocampus; Waterproof, below on angled plane

Engraving on Movement: 501 w/Omega symbol above; 146434XX; Omega Watch Co Swiss - Nineteen 19 Jewels, on Rotor

Movement: cal. 501 19 jewel Automatic; 19800 bph

Timegrapher 1900 readings: +16-22 seconds a day; 226 degrees of amplitude; 0.9 milliseconds of beat error; 49 degrees actual lift angle

 

[MtV]

That is some cool patina indeed. One little thing, if I may: Are you aware it’s got an incorrect case back as a 2849 would have a date window? Yours is a 2846; cases are identical otherwise.

 

[padders]

As above, you don’t have a model 2849, you have a nice looking model 2846 from around 1955 (and no earlier) with an incorrect caseback. The 501 movement has no date complication and never does, model 2849 used the similar looking 503 movement. The person you purchased this from was maybe not as knowledgable or open you thought, it may have been best to post the pics here beforehand. Finding the correct caseback won’t be impossible.

Edited: Jan 9, 2024

 

[gmmy775]

MtV

That is some cool patina indeed. One little thing, if I may: Are you aware it’s got an incorrect case back as a 2849 would have a date window? Yours is a 2846; cases are identical otherwise.

I will have to own the lack of due diligence on my part, as I had several days before this auction came up. I was blinded by the patina! Thank you for the heads up.

 

[gmmy775]

padders

As above, you don’t have a model 2849, you have a nice looking model 2846 from around 1955 (and no earlier) with an incorrect caseback. The 501 movement has no date complication and never does, model 2849 used the similar looking 503 movement. The person you purchased this from was maybe not as knowledgable or open you thought, it may have been best to post the pics here beforehand. Finding the correct caseback won’t be impossible.

padders

As above, you don’t have a model 2849, you have a nice looking model 2846 from around 1955 (and no earlier) with an incorrect caseback. The 501 movement has no date complication and never does, model 2849 used the similar looking 503 movement. The person you purchased this from was maybe not as knowledgable or open you thought, it may have been best to post the pics here beforehand. Finding the correct caseback won’t be impossible.

I also didn't check my volumes of Omega data before suggesting that this was earlier than a '55. I was going on the assumption that if a 12XXXXXX serial number is 1949-50, then 14XXXXXX is only a couple of years later. I would appreciate anyone steering me towards the correct case back, should one become available. Much appreciated.

 

[gmmy775]

Yep, there it is: https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-calendar-ck-2849. The only 2846 I found in the Omega database is the gold capped KO variant, but did find many steel versions on chrono24. Looks like I finally got a "franken". Am I able to edit my post? Is it still illegitimate by OF standards if I am able to bring it into spec? Another reason I wanted it is because I prefer no-date versions.

 

[X350 XJR]

Just wear it an enjoy.

 

[Nepomuceño]

gmmy775

The only 2846 I found in the Omega database is the gold capped KO variant, but did find many steel versions on chrono24.

Yeah don’t always trust the database 100%. Here’s my 2846 for comparison in stainless steel.

 

[gmmy775]

Nepomuceño

Yeah don’t always trust the database 100%. Here’s my 2846 for comparison in stainless steel.

That is super nice! I did find the correct back in Turkey, but it is around 160 after tax and shipping. Not in a big hurry to fix it, I am enjoying wearing it.

 

[gmmy775]

X350 XJR

Just wear it an enjoy.

That is "wear" I am at in this moment

 

[padders]

We won’t look down our noses at you whatever you do since it’s a good looking watch. I have two 2846s and would actually love a calendar 2849 so you are a step ahead of me in some ways!

 

[gmmy775]

padders

We won’t look down our noses at you whatever you do since it’s a good looking watch. I have two 2846s and would actually love a calendar 2849 so you are a step ahead of me in some ways!

do you have pictures of the two 2846s?

 

[padders]

gmmy775

do you have pictures of the two 2846s?

Here you go, one steel, one solid 18K, the latter has your dial style, both show a fair bit of character!

 

[gmmy775]

padders

Here you go, one steel, one solid 18K, the latter has your dial style, both show a fair bit of character!

Very nice! Actually I think you are several steps ahead of me, judging by the pie pans flanking your steel model. This case is very appealing to me.I am still trying to find an affordable 2846 case back to bring mine into conformation. When that happens it is off to the watchmaker with it for a flossing. Thank you for those pix, highlight of my day so far

 

[gmmy775]

MtV

That is some cool patina indeed. One little thing, if I may: Are you aware it’s got an incorrect case back as a 2849 would have a date window? Yours is a 2846; cases are identical otherwise.

Well, The seller in Turkey who has the correct case back just offered it to me for $75. With shipping and tax it was still almost 120, but I can probably sell the 2849 back for something close to that, so I feel better about it already. I do appreciate you for bring this to my attention.

 

[gmmy775]

gmmy775

Well, The seller in Turkey who has the correct case back just offered it to me for $75. With shipping and tax it was still almost 120, but I can probably sell the 2849 back for something close to that, so I feel better about it already. I do appreciate you for bring this to my attention.

I jumped on that caseback too soon. I went back after making the buy and realized that the 4th picture down showed it without the Seamaster emblem.


I immediately tried to cancel the purchase, and the also contacted the seller explaining that this was not the one I needed. He only responded to ebay, 4 days later, and they said he refused to cancel the sale. Can anyone tell me if this is even an unaltered 2846-2 caseback? I do know that some Seamasters did not have the hippocampus, but I thought that did not occur until the 60s. Any feedback is appreciated. The sellers handle is "Mintwatch". Not only is he not real cool, but he charged me $35 to ship a caseback.

 

[padders]

The first 3 years of 2846s had no rear hippocampus so that that back is in fact correct for many 2846s. It looks a little polished though. Originally it would have had faint text saying 'Seamaster' and 'Waterproof' but the engraving is very faint and often near invisible on well used examples. The later watches had more ornate backs from around 1958 onwards with the now familiar seahorse.

Here is my steel back

Edited: Mar 14, 2024

 

[gmmy775]

padders

The first 3 years of 2846s had no rear hippocampus so that that back is in fact correct for many 2846s. It looks a little polished though. Originally it would have had faint text saying 'Seamaster' and 'Waterproof' but the engraving is very faint and often near invisible on well used examples. The later watches had more ornate backs from around 1958 onwards with the now familiar seahorse.

Here is my steel back

Hi Padders

Much obliged. I wanted to know what kind of footing I am on to see if I can make him take a return on it. It is really annoying, as I informed him of my mistake within ten minutes of making the buy. I appreciate the photo and the elaboration and timeline.

jimmy

 

[gmmy775]

padders

As above, you don’t have a model 2849, you have a nice looking model 2846 from around 1955 (and no earlier) with an incorrect caseback. The 501 movement has no date complication and never does, model 2849 used the similar looking 503 movement. The person you purchased this from was maybe not as knowledgable or open you thought, it may have been best to post the pics here beforehand. Finding the correct caseback won’t be impossible.

As you and @MtV have alerted me to, I should have did a consult on OF before posting about this watch. Indeed, the case back was not correct. Oddly enough, this is almost my favorite Omega....so a certain level of authenticity is important to me. I did spend the time and money to secure the correct back. Extensive searching revealed to me (as was pointed out on this forum) that the 2846 back would either have the "seahorse", or would simply have "Seamaster" and "Waterproof" etched into the back. I do believe someone also said that there were a few that didn't have any features at all on the back. I only found one example of that in months of searching. And I only found a couple complete watches that had the Hippocampus on the back, and 2846 on the inner caseback. The vast majority of them just had the etchings.

The first one I purchased was from Turkey, and when I got it was I disappointed. It had obviously had the writng polished off, and the subsequently was slightly misshapen. What an ordeal that turned out to be, but ebay finally made me whole. Then I got lucky with the back that is now on the watch. The photos made it look like that it had horrendous oxidation, but being stainless I was sure I could rehabilitate it.

Several sessions in the ultrasonic made it look very clean, and it was already appropriately aged and worn for the watch.

I appreciate the Omega pros who steered me into the light. I now wear it proudly!