Omega Seamaster 1958 Cal.471

aquirlan · Jul 14, 2022

Hi all! I have just joined and looking for a 50s Omega to enter thhe vintage world. I came across this (supposedly) '58 Seamaster cal.471. Does it look original? Is it worth giving it a go, if the price is right (and if so, what the "right" prace would be?

MtV · Jul 14, 2022

Welcome! What’s your thought, having compared it to other 2790s in terms of case style and condition, dial configuration, hand and crown layout, and movement?

aquirlan · Jul 14, 2022

MtV
Welcome! What’s your thought, having compared it to other 2790s in terms of case style and condition, dial configuration, hand and crown layout, and movement?

Hey, thanks for the swift reply. I know that black dials were not very common and they can develop such patina. I'm not sure though if it matches the year etc. Lugs are not razor sharp, but they are not overly rounded considering the age. The hands look alright to me, same as crown which I saw in other 2790s that were claimed to be original.

Plus - I have a tiny wrist, that's why I am considering a really small watch, unless this will look really odd for a male.

MtV · Jul 14, 2022

Sounds good. Black dials from that era are known to age like this, dial is original. Case seems ok, there's corrosion visible on the hands, especially the second hand. Movement looks clean, but do factor in a service regardless. The crown is even the correct flat feet example, nice detail.

As you mentioned, it's a very small reference with 32mm in diameter. That has a significant effect on the price. The 700USD asking isnt completely bonkers, but for that size still on the high side. Not surprisingly though, given it's offered by a dealer on C24. I'd say some negotiating wouldn't be outrageous.

padders · Jul 14, 2022

Will look very small, like tiny, the 471 is a 25mm movement normally seen in women's watches, a quick check suggests less than 32mm watch diameter in fact, one listing states 31.8mm. Watches of this era are already small, even the full size are only 34-35mm so I personally think it will look silly, yes. Price wise? The size and heavy patina hold it's value back, low to mid hundreds of bucks tops IMO, maybe $500 tops.

Here is the OVD lisiting, it doesn't tell you much though:

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-ko-2790

aquirlan · Jul 14, 2022

Thank you very much @MtV and @padders - both of you confirming size might be a concern here made me think that probably it's not for me, even though I like the overall look of the watch.

I'm still new to this game and originally came searching for the below configuration, but could not find any on the market, so started to be more open for other options (unless you could advise me what to look for to find it!):

watch-without-band-possibly-belonging-to-giles-p-richardson-aka-the-picture-id1164419266

padders · Jul 14, 2022

That will be tough to find since it is a black dial. Must it be black? That colour was seldom seen on 50s and 60s Omegas (other than the trilogy of professional watches launched in 1957, the Seamaster 300, Speedmaster and Railmaster). You will struggle to find a straight, original black dial and you will pay more for one even if you do. Better maybe to find a nice silver or cream dial 2846 or maybe a 2577 fat lug as it is much easier to find a good one of those for a few hundred. If you must have a black dial, prepare for a long search, punctuated by disappointment. The one you show above is suspect by the way, quite likely a redial but its hard to tell from that.

aquirlan · Jul 14, 2022

padders
That will be tough to find since it is a black dial. Must it be black? That colour was seldom seen on 50s and 60s Omegas (other than the trilogy of professional watches launched in 1957, the Seamaster 300, Speedmaster and Railmaster). You will struggle to find a straight, original black dial and you will pay more for one even if you do. Better maybe to find a nice silver or cream dial 2846 or maybe a 2577 fat lug as it is much easier to find a good one of those for a few hundred. If you must have a black dial, prepare for a long search, punctuated by disappointment. The one you show above is suspect by the way, quite likely a redial but its hard to tell from that.

So the one above - if my info is correct - is recovered from the crash site /The Day The Music Died/; it most likely belonged to Big Bopper. I don't know if he was famous enough to get something custom made, but it was original and it would mean it's probably 56/57 model. Buddy Holly also had an Omega, which was auctioned few years ago for like 150K$

If I'd go for a silver or cream option, what should I look for to get this specific numerals and dial combo, just not black?

Dan S · Jul 14, 2022

There is a legit black waffle dial watch in the private sales listings. It's a rare and desirable combination, so you will have to be willing to pay for it.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/195...iginal-black-waffle-dial.147849/#post-2018781

If you want to search elsewhere, you will really need to be extremely patient and train yourself to recognize repainted dials. Because original black dials are rare and desired (especially by newbies), people frequently repaint dials in that color. As a result, the vast majority of black dials you will find are not original, but it takes practice and experience to recognize the difference.

A aquirlan
If I'd go for a silver or cream option, what should I look for to get this specific numerals and dial combo, just not black?

You just have to hunt. There are many, many dial styles. Those specific arabic numerals are known as Breguet.

Omega Seamaster 1958 Cal.471

aquirlan

MtV

aquirlan

MtV

padders

aquirlan

padders

aquirlan

Dan S

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