Please Advise! 1950s Seamaster Automatic Black Textured Dial Cal. 490

[Hensley]

I am still an amateur with vintage Omega watches so please be kind! 😀

I purchased this Seamaster recently and was wondering whether I can get some comments on the authentiticy of its parts (case, crown, dial, hands, movement etc). I did not manage to find any images on Google that match the dial design on the piece that I have.

Here’s what I have found after a few hours of research online and also from the Omega AJTT book:
Caliber 490: Year of creation 1955 (AJTT)
Serial Number 14679575: 1954 earliest (AJTT)
Case Number 2846 2 SC / 2848: 1950s Fat Lugs (Google)
Dial Design: Looks 1950s to me (Google, AJTT)

What got me confused is that the serial number 14679575 on the movement dates back to 1954, but the caliber 490 movement was only created in the following year, 1955. However, the movement image in AJTT shows a caliber 490 having a serial number of 14563001, which seems to fit with what I have. Please refer to the attached images for the information I found from AJTT.

Another thing I am concerned with is that the hands show more deterioration compared to the rest of the dial furniture. Some collectors have mentioned that they may age differently so it would be great if some of you seasoned collectors can offer some insight or opinion on the piece that I have.

Anyway, the dial has a textured surface. Some sites referred to it as a “honeycomb” dial.

Thank you very much in advance!

Regards,
Hensley

Edited: Sep 18, 2022

 

[Davidt]

I’ll caveat by saying I’m no expert on these but from what I can see it’s a redial with significant residual dial damage, the hands are wrong and the movement looks very tired.

 

[bardamu]

Agree with the above.
Dial is badly repainted.

 

[Hensley]

Davidt

I’ll caveat by saying I’m no expert on these but from what I can see it’s a redial with significant residual dial damage, the hands are wrong and the movement looks very tired.

Thank you for the information! Might you know how the correct hands should look like?

 

[Davidt]

Hensley

Thank you for the information! Might you know how the correct hands should look like?

Youll have to use the reference number to search for the correct hands. These are incorrect as they are without lume where the dial markers have slots for lume.

 

[Hensley]

bardamu

Agree with the above.
Dial is badly repainted.

The wordings perhaps? I thought that it might be because the dial is textured and the uneven surface makes the wordings look a little untidy.

 

[Hensley]

Davidt

Youll have to use the reference number to search for the correct hands. These are incorrect as they are without lume where the dial markers have slots for lume.

I see, thank you. I shall do a little more research on google.

 

[padders]

What you have is actually a model 2848. The double marking is so they can use the case for sub and centre second versions. I agree it has been redialled and not well. It is quite possible it wasn’t black originally, very few were., Note how the text overlaps: it shouldn’t. It has an incorrect Connie crown by the way, it should be a clover type. A point of interest is that the 490 movement is the 17j version for the US market where higher jewel counts were taxed higher. I don’t see an OXG import mark but wouldn’t be surprised to see one.

Omega actually show the 2848 model as a 1956 introduction, but there are plenty of mistakes on their vintage database so the 1955 date of the movement wouldn’t concern me.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-ck-2848

Edited: Sep 18, 2022

 

[Davidt]

The precision on textured dials is often slightly less than on standard flat dials but not to this extent. Even without the poor lettering the text would usually be gilt not white and there are lume wells on the indicies that are empty. These are basic tells that the dial needs further scrutiny.

 

[Hensley]

padders

What you have is actually a model 2848. The double marking is so they can use the case for sub and second second versions. I agree it has been redialled and not well. It is quite possible it wasn’t black originally, very few were., Note how the text overlaps: it shouldn’t. It has an incorrect Connie crown by the way, it should be a clover type. A point of interest is that the 490 movement is the 17j version for the US market where higher jewel counts were taxed higher. I don’t see an OXG import mark but wouldn’t be surprised to see one.

Omega actually show the 2848 model as a 1956 introduction, but there are plenty of mistakes on their vintage database so the 1955 date on the movement wouldn’t concern me.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-ck-2848

Thank you for the detailed explanation! Lesson learnt to not buy vintage pieces on a whim next time. 😟

 

[Hensley]

Davidt

The precision on textured dials is often slightly less than on standard flat dials but not to this extent. Even without the poor lettering the text would usually be gilt not white and there are lume wells on the indicies that are empty. These are basic tells that the dial needs further scrutiny.

I see, I should have paid more attention to details on the dial. Thank you for the information!

 

[janice&fred]

Hi Hensley! I admire your enthusiasm in the way you dove into vintage and hope you find something all original and to your liking soon! Might I suggest, until you have more research and time spent on these, perhaps you should limit your search to watches listed for sale here on this forum's marketplace. Here you will have the chance to buy something that is unaltered and original. 👍

 

[DaveK]

Hensley

Thank you for the detailed explanation! Lesson learnt to not buy vintage pieces on a whim next time. 😟

We all make some mistakes in the beginning. This is a great place to learn though!

 

[X350 XJR]

Davidt

I’ll caveat by saying I’m no expert on these but from what I can see it’s a redial with significant residual dial damage, the hands are wrong and the movement looks very tired.

Looking at the hands closer I think they do have lume, so they would be correct.

OP, just enjoy your new watch and come back here to ask questions before making your next purchase. We've all made mistakes.

 

[janice&fred]

X350 XJR

OP, just enjoy your new watch and come back here to ask questions before making your next purchase.

This, and there is always the chance to find a replacement original dial of a more plentiful color besides black to make the watch more acceptable for the OP. 👍

 

[padders]

X350 XJR

Looking at the hands closer I think they do have lume, so they would be correct.

The lume on these is always in a triangular or line well in the centre is it not? I don’t think those hands ever had lume.

Edited: Sep 18, 2022

 

[Davidt]

Got to say I’m still not seeing lume on those hands. Perhaps the op can clarify?

 

[gatorcpa]

Buckle is a crude fake.

Sorry,
gatorcpa

 

[Hensley]

Thank you all for your replies! Unfortunately, it does not seem like the hands ever had lume on them. So, movement aside, this piece needs correct hands, dial, a clover crown and a buckle. 🤦

 

[krogerfoot]

You take bad news well, which is a real must in this field. I’m sure your next watch will be a winner (ask for and take everyone’s advice here) and further venture to suggest that this watch will find another life, at least the case, movement, and crown. Hang on to it.