Omega Seamaster 321 Pulsometer Dial – Unusual V-Shaped 12 Marker?

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Ome42Dow

·Sat. 12:24pm

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get some help identifying and learning more about a vintage Omega Seamaster chronograph I inherited from my grandfather. It features a cal. 321 movement and what appears to be a factory pulsometer dial. Based on the styling, I believe it dates to the 1950s.

A few things I’m especially curious about:

• The hour markers are coffin-shaped, but the 12 o’clock marker is unique—two coffin markers angled to form a slight V shape. Most other examples I’ve found have vertical indices at 12. Has anyone seen this variation before?
• The pulsometer scale is black, not red.
• The dial has some aging and spotting, and the bracelet is a replacement. That said, the watch still runs, and I plan to get it serviced (movement only) by a vintage specialist.
• My grandfather was a director of photography who worked on underwater shoots, so the watch has some real history behind it. I’m planning to order an Extract from the Archives to verify the dial and configuration.

I’d really appreciate any thoughts on the originality and rarity of this piece—and if anyone has seen this dial configuration before. I'm also looking for advice on next steps: where to get it appraised, how best to go about insuring it, and any other tips to ensure it’s preserved properly.

Attaching a photo below. Thanks so much in advance for your help!

—Rowan

 

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seekingseaquest

·Sat. 7:14pm

Nice heirloom. I see no concerns with the dial, it seems original. I don’t believe Omega is offering extracts any longer, but either way, I don’t think that would help you validate originality besides movement and case pairing.

If you have the watch serviced, I’d advice you to not have them replace, refinish, or polish any cosmetic parts (case, dial, hands, etc.). Only movement touched, and crystal polished if needed.

Regarding appraisal, if it’s for insurance purposes, you should ask what your insurance needs. If for your own valuation, check sold auction listings for steel Seamaster 321s in similar condition.

 

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JimInOz

·Sat. 7:16pm·Melbourne Australia

Ome42Dow

I’m planning to order an Extract from the Archives to verify the dial and configuration.

Unfortunately the EoA is no longer available.

The 12 markers I've seen before but can't remember where, unusual but not rare I think.

Ome42Dow

serviced (movement only) by a vintage specialist.

Good decision.

 

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Dan S

·Sat. 7:39pm

Looks fine to me, I hope you enjoy your heirloom.

I know that some people feel everything should be insured, but I don't personally see the point in insuring items like this. If something happens to it, the financial loss isn't dramatic, and an insurance claim won't help you replace the sentimental value.

 

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Ome42Dow

·Sun. 6:38am

Thanks so much to everyone who replied—I really appreciate the insight and thoughtful feedback.

A few updates and clarifications based on your responses:

I reached out to the Omega Boutique on Fifth Avenue in NYC, and one of their technicians confirmed the watch as a Seamaster chronograph from 1958–1963, 34mm, cal. 321, with a 30 pulsations scale. He referred to it as a “wrist-chronographer,” which I hadn’t heard before but found fitting.

I was planning to request an Extract from the Archives, but it sounds like those are no longer available for older models. That’s a bit of a disappointment, but I appreciate the confirmation.

Based on everyone’s advice, I’m going to move forward with a movement-only service and a light crystal polish, and will be sure the dial, hands, and case are left untouched. The watch still runs, but it could definitely use a cleaning.

The V-shaped 12 o’clock marker appears to be an uncommon, but not unheard-of, configuration. Glad to know it's been spotted before.

A few follow-up questions:

• Any thoughts on potential market value? I understand that depends on originality and service history, but I’d love a rough estimate to help guide decisions around servicing, appraisal, and insurance.
• Any recommendations for a trusted Omega specialist in New England who’s qualified to work on a cal. 321? I’m based between Rhode Island and Boston, but happy to travel for the right person.
• The bracelet currently on the watch isn’t original and has definitely seen better days—it’s also a bit too tight for my wrist. Any thoughts on whether it’s worth sourcing a period-correct Omega bracelet (e.g., beads of rice or flat link), or if a high-quality aftermarket option would be acceptable? I’d love to strike a balance between wearability and maintaining the watch’s integrity.

Thanks again for all the help—this forum is an incredible resource. I’ll be sure to share another update after the service is complete.

—Rowan

 

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drose224

·Sun. 7:18am

Great advice given.

 

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Mark020

·Sun. 8:45am·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

Ome42Dow

Any thoughts on potential market value?

As stated above: (eBay) sold listings

 

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Dan S

·Sun. 9:04am

It's hard to put a value on it because of the condition of the dial, but as a rough ballpark for realistic market value, I'm going to say $2k-$3k USD. Replacement value would be substantially higher (possibly double), because you would probably be looking at a watch in better condition from a professional dealer.

 

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Ome42Dow

·Sun. 9:21am

Dan S

It's hard to put a value on it because of the condition of the dial, but as a rough ballpark for realistic market value, I'm going to say $2k-$3k USD. Replacement value would be substantially higher (possibly double), because you would probably be looking at a watch in better condition from a professional dealer.

Thanks, Dan—really appreciate your thoughtful reply.

That range makes a lot of sense, especially given the dial condition. I wasn’t sure how much weight the pulsometer dial and cal. 321 movement would carry in this state, but your distinction between realistic market value and replacement value is super helpful.

I’m not planning to sell, but I do want to be thoughtful about how I approach servicing and possibly insuring it, so having that baseline is a big help. Thanks again for weighing in.

—Rowan

 

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juju

·Sun. 11:20am

I have a very similar watch, albeit with a tachymeter dial and different markers.
There are lots of variation on those early seamasters with different cases, hands and markers. IMO that particular case, although it is only 33mm, is amongst the nicest (beefy chamfered lugs and convex flanks).

I’m not from the US so I wouldn’t be of any help regarding service & insurance.

Edit: the reference should be CK2907 (written inside the caseback) here are more pictures of mine

Edited: Sun. 11:29am

 

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Ome42Dow

·Sun. 11:36am

juju

I have a very similar watch, albeit with a tachymeter dial and different markers.
There are lots of variation on those early seamasters with different cases, hands and markers. IMO that particular case, although it is only 33mm, is amongst the nicest (beefy chamfered lugs and convex flanks).

I’m not from the US so I wouldn’t be of any help regarding service & insurance.

Edit: the reference should be CK2907 (written inside the caseback) here are more pictures of mine

Thats great for reference--thanks!

 

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Risto

·Sun. 12:45pm

Beautiful watch!

You should check this video:

I love these fat lug cases.

 

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Makesbelieve

·Mon. 9:57pm

An almost identical dial layout albeit with a base 1000 pulsation outer dial and considerably better condition example can be seen here : https://chrono24.app/omega/seamaster-321-chronograph--id40009591.htm?SETLANG=en_NZ&SETCURR=NZD

 

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Foo2rama

·Mon. 10:59pm·Nowhere near as grumpy as he used to be...

OP has “coffin” hour markers. Wierd to see on a chrono.

Def different but I’d not question it.

 

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Risto

·Mon. 11:16pm

Makesbelieve

An almost identical dial layout albeit with a base 1000 pulsation outer dial and considerably better condition example can be seen here : https://chrono24.app/omega/seamaster-321-chronograph--id40009591.htm?SETLANG=en_NZ&SETCURR=NZD

Redial

 

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Makesbelieve

·Mon. 11:26pm

Risto

Redial

I was posting it more in reference to the OP's first question around the potential uniqueness of the 'two coffin markers angled to form a slight V shape' similarity as opposed to the dial markings themselves. But good to know nonetheless.

 

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Clelow

·7:57am yesterday

It will make a great watch for daily use after service and fitting with a comfortable band. I think you will enjoy it very much.