Omega Seamaster Cal.562

Zdzislaw · Nov 5, 2020

Hello OF,

I am thinking about buying this one for some time, and I seek some wisdom.

Omega Seamaster cal. 562 circa from 1962.

Good...
1. Absolutely beautiful dial in good original condition.

2. Reliable, clean and serviced movement cal. 562.

3. Original hesalite signed crystal.

... Bad ...
1. Worn and scratched case.

2. Rotor scratches on the inside of the case back and the rotor itself.

3. Case design and harder times finding watchmaker with the skills to service it properly in 3 years.
... and the ugly.
1. Price 990 USD.

Taking all the above under consideration.
Am I missing something important?
Is it worth taking a risk with this piece, and is it worth its price?
How likely will the rotor cause more problems? Is it safe to assume that if it is serviced, it should not?

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

Best!

Noddyman · Nov 5, 2020

I think you pretty much nailed your evaluation.
If serviced properly the rotor rubbing issue should have already been resolved.
The wear on the case back could have been caused by spending too much time on a Nato or Perlon type strap. It wouldn’t concern me too much as the rest is very nice.
The price is in the ballpark for a linen dial. If anything it’s a tad too high, maybe €100 - $150 over. Not a deal breaker for me.

Zdzislaw · Nov 5, 2020

Noddyman
I think you pretty much nailed your evaluation.
If serviced properly the rotor rubbing issue should have already been resolved.
The wear on the case back could have been caused by spending too much time on a Nato or Perlon type strap. It wouldn’t concern me too much as the rest is very nice.
The price is in the ballpark for a linen dial. If anything it’s a tad too high, maybe €100 - $150 over. Not a deal breaker for me.

Thank you very much @Noddyman and much appreciated!

JwRosenthal · Nov 5, 2020

Agree with @Noddyman - the back wear is perlon or nylon of some kind which was popular through the late 60’s-80’s for sport watches. People don’t realize what they can do after years of wear. Rotor wear is pretty common and may have been addressed in a prior service, maybe not. It’s a standard wear issue and any competent watchmaker can replace the bearing. If the seller doesn’t say serviced nor had documentation- assume it needs it.
The dial is great- we usually don’t see them that clean nor in white. Case is a little dinged up but it’s honest and not polished to a nub and nobody will ever see the back except you.
These do fetch more than their sunburst dialed siblings so that needs to be factored, but perhaps the case condition and rotor wear/ need for a service to address it can be used to your favor in negotiations

Zdzislaw · Nov 5, 2020

JwRosenthal
Agree with @Noddyman - the back wear is perlon or nylon of some kind which was popular through the late 60’s-80’s for sport watches. People don’t realize what they can do after years of wear. Rotor wear is pretty common and may have been addressed in a prior service, maybe not. It’s a standard wear issue and any competent watchmaker can replace the bearing. If the seller doesn’t say serviced nor had documentation- assume it needs it.
The dial is great- we usually don’t see them that clean nor in white. Case is a little dinged up but it’s honest and not polished to a nub and nobody will ever see the back except you.
These do fetch more than their sunburst dialed siblings so that needs to be factored, but perhaps the case condition and rotor wear/ need for a service to address it can be used to your favor in negotiations

Thank you very much @JwRosenthal and much appreciated!

Panjo · Nov 5, 2020

Case - 1961
Movement - 1962?

SkunkPrince · Nov 5, 2020

Panjo
Case - 1961
Movement - 1962?

Serial number lists are only approximate.

As for the crystal, it is almost certainly not original if the watch has ever been serviced. It is the correct Omega part, to be sure, but original? Doubtful.

Panjo · Nov 5, 2020

SkunkPrince
Serial number lists are only approximate.

As for the crystal, it is almost certainly not original if the watch has ever been serviced. It is the correct Omega part, to be sure, but original? Doubtful.[/QUOTE
Yes approximate, if there no year of production
Then what's the point

Panjo · Nov 5, 2020

Ooops
Yes approximate, if there no year of production
Then what's the point

JwRosenthal · Nov 5, 2020

SkunkPrince
Serial number lists are only approximate.

As for the crystal, it is almost certainly not original if the watch has ever been serviced. It is the correct Omega part, to be sure, but original? Doubtful.

Agreed- we can’t get hung on in dates with mass produced watches. It’s not uncommon with vintage Rolex to have a case date of ‘71 and bracelet date of ‘72- doesn’t mean the bracelet isn’t original to the watch, that case may have sat in a bin at the factory for a year before it got pulled to assemble a watch. If we were talking 5 years, that’s a different story. But again- not uncommon for watches to sit in a dealers stock for several years after production, then sell and the date on the warranty card is several years after production.

Kapka · Nov 5, 2020

I like it! For me the price is fair.
If it was gold on steel I would maybe agree that 100-150 bucks less would be better but steel + linnen is more uncommon. Can't really see if the hour markers are onyx or printed but if so that's a + as well. Grab it!

SkunkPrince · Nov 5, 2020

Panjo
Ooops
Yes approximate, if there no year of production
Then what's the point

The point is that the manufacturer DOES NOT GIVE A RAT'S ASS ABOUT YOU DATING YOUR WATCH YOU FOOL!

Dan S · Nov 5, 2020

Looks very nice, and the minor wear to the case doesn't bother me at all. I really like the dial.

padders · Nov 6, 2020

Panjo
Ooops
Yes approximate, if there no year of production
Then what's the point

I’m not sure what the back story is here since you seem to have an existing argument going on (or at least someone shouting at you) but I think you misunderstand what the caseback iteration means. It is not a year of production and does not mean the watch was necessarily made in 1961, simply that this version of the watch was signed off for release as the -61 model. The serial is a better tool for dating. Many Omegas ran for several years on a single dated iteration, the -65 Ed White for instance. Those were being made up until 1969. Thus ‘-61’ doesn’t mean made in 1961, in fact with the way Omega operated, a serial from the following year or even subsequent years would be more likely. Another example, most 145.12-67 were made in 1968 it seems. The later -69,71,74 etc iterations ran for multiple years.

PlainVanilla · Nov 6, 2020

Kapka
I like it! For me the price is fair.
If it was gold on steel I would maybe agree that 100-150 bucks less would be better but steel + linnen is more uncommon. Can't really see if the hour markers are onyx or printed but if so that's a + as well. Grab it!

There is no onyx on these markers.

Anyway that's a beautiful pre De Ville, worth the price to me.

qazwsx1 · Nov 6, 2020

My linen dial says hi.

Zdzislaw · Nov 6, 2020

Thank you all! I am negotiating price and we will see.

@Panjo there is circa 1962 in original post and really this is reference only as described in details by both @JwRosenthal and @padders - thank you both for sharing valuable insight. It does not strike me, because 60s for both Swiss watch industry and especially Omega have been one of the best, if not the best years ever, they were the best in the market with no quartz to compete with. They were literally selling millions of different watches anually and even the serial number will give you only approximation. Nevertheless thank you for your feedback and willingness to help! 😉

PlainVanilla · Nov 6, 2020

I have the same model with a silver dial and a manual wound movement (cal. 610).

This one is from 1961 and yes, they are very good watches! I like the fact that this was still part of the Seamaster line back then, just a more dressy version of the classic watch. It fits every outfit and every situation, I'm even wearing mine on a tweed strap right now as you can seen. I hope you'll get it for the price you're asking.

Zdzislaw · Nov 6, 2020

Kapka
I like it! For me the price is fair.
If it was gold on steel I would maybe agree that 100-150 bucks less would be better but steel + linnen is more uncommon. Can't really see if the hour markers are onyx or printed but if so that's a + as well. Grab it!

Thank you for your feedback @Kapka! Better straight angle shot with markers visible more clearly.
View attachment 1097730

Zdzislaw · Nov 6, 2020

PlainVanilla
I have the same model with a silver dial and a manual wound movement (cal. 610).

This one is from 1961 and yes, they are very good watches! I like the fact that this was still part of the Seamaster line back then, just a more dressy version of the classic watch. It fits every outfit and every situation, I'm even wearing mine on a tweed strap right now as you can seen. I hope you'll get it for the price you're asking.

Thank you for your feedback @PlainVanilla and your piece looks great! Waiting for feedback from the seller...

Omega Seamaster Cal.562

Zdzislaw

Noddyman

Zdzislaw

JwRosenthal

Zdzislaw

Panjo

SkunkPrince

Panjo

Panjo

JwRosenthal

Kapka

SkunkPrince

Dan S

padders

PlainVanilla

qazwsx1

Zdzislaw

PlainVanilla

Zdzislaw

Zdzislaw

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