Omega Seamaster black dial - Original or repainted? Need expert eyes

VintageYouWant · Jul 8, 2025

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some help on this Omega Seamaster CK2938 (cal. 284) I’m eyeing at auction. It has a black dial with gold indices and hands.

I know most of these originally came with silver/white dials, and black versions are super rare (or often repainted). I’ve attached 3 detailed photos below to give you a clear view of the printing, logo, and minute markers.

What do you think?
Does this look like an original black dial or more like a redial?

I notice the dial is very clean and uniform for a 1958 piece, and I see some slight inconsistencies in the minute track printing - but I’m not an expert on Omega dials from this era.

I really appreciate any insights before deciding to bid. Thanks in advance!

Photos attached below for your analysis.

iosist · Jul 8, 2025

I'm no expert either but it's widely understood that black dials from this period were produced in extremely small quantities, and that the few surviving original examples tend to have much more severe patina and exposed brass than this.

Also the Omega logo at 12 is quite lopsided and "Swiss Made" text is very uneven. I would say certainly repainted dial, but if it doesn't bother you and the price is right who cares.

I'd recommend reading the Learn How to Fish thread which has a whole section on black dial identification, as well as this thread with pictures of original black dials.

nkhandekar · Jul 8, 2025

The applied Omega logo has been through a lot. Its a red flag for sure.

MtV · Jul 8, 2025

iosist
I'm no expert either but it's widely understood that black dials from this period were produced in extremely small quantities, and that the few surviving original examples tend to have much more severe patina and exposed brass than this.

You’ve come to the best place to learn that you’re wrong here. Dismissing a piece for this generalized argument alone will eternally keep you from actually owning a well-preserved example.

iosist · Jul 8, 2025

MtV
You’ve come to the best place to learn that you’re wrong here. Dismissing a piece for this generalized argument alone will eternally keep you from actually owning a well-preserved example.

Wow, those are beautiful examples! For the record, I dismissed OP's piece for the specific issues I raised, not the general clean black dial alone. Like I said, I'm a novice, but if you think it isn't a useful rule of thumb maybe drop a comment in this pinned thread. I'm sure I'm not the only beginner getting this info there:

The reason why I've focussed so much on black dials is that when these 50's and 60's watches were new, black dials weren't in vogue for a number of reasons. Black dial Constellations, apparently, were even a special order item. This means that there are many fewer of them - and due to the popularity of today, redialers will often paint their creations black! So if you are assessing a piece online and the black dial looks too good to be true (most have deterioated to some extent), then it most likely is. Tread very carefully.

Dan S · Jul 8, 2025

I'm on the fence. The printing looks pretty good given the condition of the crystal, but it's clear that the Omega symbol and the applied markers have been tampered with (the twin markers at 12 are uneven).

SWmania · Jul 26, 2025

MtV
You’ve come to the best place to learn that you’re wrong here. Dismissing a piece for this generalized argument alone will eternally keep you from actually owning a well-preserved example.

Wow those are some fat, fat lugs and pristine dials..

definately drool-worthy

Porteroso · Jul 26, 2025

The fact that the indices were removed then reapplied makes me really wonder. The font is very good, but to me looks repainted. I'm no expert though.

VintageYouWant · Jul 31, 2025

thank you very much for all you answers !

Omega Seamaster black dial - Original or repainted? Need expert eyes

VintageYouWant

iosist

nkhandekar

MtV

iosist

Dan S

SWmania

Porteroso

VintageYouWant

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