photos of 1958 seamaster

Radiozoop · Oct 3, 2020

mrbob
Thats what I said I think not arguing my dial does not look original, was only suggesting that base mile did exist, when pushed by some one. I even questioned if it was real or not. just trying to learn.

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mrbob
don't think so been in storage for 50 years and the watch maker said he did not touch it.

mrbob
I dont think the watch was badly refinished at all the dial you see is original Canadian in miles from 1958 I know it has sat in my drawer for over fifty years, and never came out. I priced omega service form Canada with three different watch makers all gave similar prices. Just confirmed with the watch maker who sent it for repair the dial hands and face are what I sent him. he is sending pictures.

mrbob
because I told them not to touch the near perfect dial !!

Already discussed but I think the problem some of the members have is these comments, where you are contradicting them even though we may have a lot more experience. I think you cleaned that up in your responses on page 4, so I'm not concerned about it.

Anyways, don't sweat it. You're here to learn, and we can help you learn, especially if this watch starts the vintage Omega collecting itch.

On the other hand, may I ask if your dad purchased this watch himself (as in, as brand new)?

mrbob · Oct 3, 2020

the watch was given to my dad by Alcan aluminum in Montreal when they bought his company, in late 1959 near Christmas, I remember seeing the watch the multimillion dollar check and he drove a new top of the line Cadillac in. They gave him the watch and a etching from a famous induit artist. ( still have the etching) he wore either the Omega or a Rolex , in about 1968 he stopped wearing the Omega because of the missing reset button a sharp little threaded spine stood out. Died shortly after around 1973 the watch was never worn again. I received the watch before he died and it stayed in the little green bag from 1970 or so until two months ago when I found it after moving it was taken to a local watch dealer that's when the excitement started. lol I would believe Alcan bough the watch in either Montreal or Toronto, in 1959 or 1958 . It was not a small sale my dad had 2500 employees over four cities in Canada and the company was first customatc then aluminart which still sells aluminum windows today.

mrbob · Oct 3, 2020

I will be talking to the watch dealer Tuesday and try to sort out the watch/ dial I sent in, as I was stupid and did not take pictures, we will find out if that was what I had or did the watch maker some how change the dial even though I said not to. the story unfolds. when I was originally in the watch dealer there thought the crown had three positions and the 0-30 and 1-12 was day and month, now I know the crown has one position and its min and hours, but his explanation seemed right at the time.

bgrisso · Oct 3, 2020

Good luck, might take some time and patience but I think any heirloom watch is worth the effort.

Radiozoop · Oct 3, 2020

😉

mrbob
I will be talking to the watch dealer Tuesday and try to sort out the watch/ dial I sent in, as I was stupid and did not take pictures, we will find out if that was what I had or did the watch maker some how change the dial even though I said not to. the story unfolds. when I was originally in the watch dealer there thought the crown had three positions and the 0-30 and 1-12 was day and month, now I know the crown has one position and its min and hours, but his explanation seemed right at the time.

Honestly sir, stick around and hang out with us. You will learn a whole lot and it sounds like this watch is special. Talk to your watchmaker but come back here and tell us what was said before you make decisions. With these heirloom watches everyone here will do their best to lead you right, and there are quite a few members of OF who will be able to help you source parts, or at the least tell you where to look.

Good luck with the watch and I look forward to seeing this thread continue with a happy ending 😉.

And the above comment is right. This is a special watch. Let’s get it back to where it was when your dad got it. With correct care these things will outlast us, and you can pass it on later.

eugeneandresson · Oct 3, 2020

mrbob
well here is a omega with base mile outer ring do not know if original looks good, i do see the extra marks in the small center dials on my version, how the dial got there unknown, my dad was involved with indy car racing made alum parts for the turbines in mid 60's remember flying to the races a few times had special box above the pits he would time them. just for fun could he have had a special dial made , sure he was quite wealthy, just dont know. but I can guarantee it is how i received the watch over 53 years ago and it sat in my sock drawer in a little green felt bag. he stopped wearing the watch in late 60's because the one reset button fell off and a small sharp little threaded point stuck out, into his hand if he leaned it back he had a nice rolex wore instead. brother got the Rolex I got the Omega,

That too looks like a redial to my non-professional eyes. Please note : I am not an expert on this reference...so how can I say this? The font of ‘Omega’ looks wrong...and the font of each subregister is inconsistent (and looks wrong, unlike any of the watches pictured in this thread, or any of the watches pictured when searching for your reference)...and that is a red flag to me without even looking at the text on the outer circumference of the dial.

pdxleaf · Oct 3, 2020

mrbob
... They gave him the watch and a etching from a famous induit artist. ( still have the etching)...

Should have led with the etching. It's beautiful.

Forum member Archer is a watchmaker out your way if you want another watchmaker's set of eyes.

mrbob · Oct 3, 2020

what would a proper dial be worth, probably a lot easier to change the dial the rest is all fixed.

SkunkPrince · Oct 3, 2020

mrbob
what would a proper dial be worth, probably a lot easier to change the dial the rest is all fixed.

Finding one will be nearlry impossible. Best you can do is a factory refinish.

mrbob · Oct 3, 2020

ok thanks.

mrbob · Oct 5, 2020

Well the saga continues got pictures back from the watch dealer and the pictures with the bad dial i showed, was indeed what sat in my drawer since 1973 or 4 How the dial got there and when and by who is an unknown. Omega web site has a extract from the archives for 137.00 us what do you get with it, would it show pictures of the dial that it was shipped with so I can find one? as i am finding out 1958 was a change over year.

Davidt · Oct 5, 2020

An extract won’t show you the dial I’m afraid. It shows info such as production date, reference, country delivered to etc.

your best bet is to either leave as-is, or find other examples of the same reference using Google and keep an eye out for a replacement. This may take some time unfortunately.

I’m surprised Omega didn’t offer to replace or redo the dial as part of the service. This isn’t a huge loss as they won’t have any original dials. Either the modern service replacement item or more likely they’d charge around a grand to refinish it again. In this scenario it may look marginally better but it will still be a redial (albeit a factory one).

mrbob · Oct 5, 2020

talked to the watch dealer a bit more, he said he had them leave the dial as i requested he also thought it looked quite good, as far as aging goes, did not have a comment on the dial errors the Omega fourm have pointed out which look bigger each time i look lol
so the question remains a question unanswered at least I now know that is the way I received it, long ago. .

Dan S · Oct 5, 2020

Well, there's no harm in leaving it as is indefinitely. If you happen to find a dial someday, you can replace it. It's a long-term project.

mrbob · Oct 5, 2020

Your right Thats what I fiqure, whats interesting is Alcan did make there own watches to give away as retirement or special presentations starting in the late 30's first was a pocket watch by vacheron and constantin then in the mid 40's to mid 50' rolex's and then Omega 55 to 65 pictures attached, but little information out their, keeping me busy anyways have to stay in due to covid, i cannot get this,

mrbob · Oct 5, 2020

found this on another watch fourm, know the name of the jeweler now
"These "Alcan" Omega watches were the most expensive watch in the world. In order to strap one on your arm you first had to complete 25 years of service at Alcan.
Mappin's Jewelry of Montreal, Canada supplied the watches and the service for these gems.
At the celebration of your 25 years you had your choice between a camera and this Omega watch."

Dero13 · Oct 5, 2020

Been an intetesting thread - any photos of your dads Rolex?

mrbob · Oct 5, 2020

no unfortunately stolen when my brother had a break in. but thanks for asking.

mrbob · Oct 16, 2020

well still have more questions then answers, found out the watch is not normal size, it is smaller measuring from back across the outside of the case edge to edge it is smaller at only 33.2 mm the lug width is 18 mm and the distance between center of band pin to band pin is 39mm I noticed the edge lettering was crammed up unlike a normal 1959 seamaster chronometer, which had more space for eth speed numbers to eth second hand edge for example. The over all width out side of case to tip of crown is 36mm any one know why the watch is smaller then the normal ones. ??

mozartman · Oct 16, 2020

mrbob
the watch was given to my dad by Alcan aluminum in Montreal when they bought his company, in late 1959 near Christmas, I remember seeing the watch the multimillion dollar check and he drove a new top of the line Cadillac in. They gave him the watch and a etching from a famous induit artist. ( still have the etching) he wore either the Omega or a Rolex , in about 1968 he stopped wearing the Omega because of the missing reset button a sharp little threaded spine stood out. Died shortly after around 1973 the watch was never worn again. I received the watch before he died and it stayed in the little green bag from 1970 or so until two months ago when I found it after moving it was taken to a local watch dealer that's when the excitement started. lol I would believe Alcan bough the watch in either Montreal or Toronto, in 1959 or 1958 . It was not a small sale my dad had 2500 employees over four cities in Canada and the company was first customatc then aluminart which still sells aluminum windows today.

Anyway, that beautiful etching on aluminum looks like Talking Birds by the Inuit artist Kenojuak Ashevak (1927-2013), commissioned by Alcan Aluminum to coincide with the opening of their Kingston, Ontario plant in 1963. And it is worth something -- I see one sold at auction in 2018 for $590 Canadian, which means the buyer likely paid $696.20 plus whatever fees the auction house charges, which means it would likely be priced at well over $1,000 in a gallery. And unlike the watch, no condition problems. Very nice, and very far out of the ordinary. Enjoy.

photos of 1958 seamaster

Radiozoop

mrbob

mrbob

bgrisso

Radiozoop

eugeneandresson

pdxleaf

mrbob

SkunkPrince

mrbob

mrbob

Davidt

mrbob

Dan S

mrbob

mrbob

Dero13

mrbob

mrbob

mozartman

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