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Rare Omega 18K Seamaster Ultima

DocV
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Here are photos of a rare 18K Seamaster Ultima. My father bought this watch new in the early to mid 1950s. I inherited it on his death in 1996. I was very pleased to find an ad for the watch. At the time $775 must have been a fortune. I am quite fortunate to also have the original box.

Antiques Roadshow is coming to Salt Lake City in June. I hope to have the watch appraised as I've never found a resource online that could tell me the approximate value of this watch. I had a jeweler tell me the gold alone is worth upwards of $5,000. The watch still keeps perfect time. Any information that can be provided would be much appreciated.

Omega_Seamaster_Ultima1.webp Omega_Seamaster_Ultima2.webp Omega_Seamaster_Ultima3.webp Omega_Seamaster_Ultima4.webp Omega_Seamaster_Ultima5.webp Omega_18K_SeamasterUltimaAd.webp
 
Mark020
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Edited:
 
DocV
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Mark020 Mark020
@dsio!

Very nice. Not many offered at auctions but here a couple:
2017: estimate CHF 8-12k but no sale https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...ined&queryID=66a053020c0560ee1d2a40126322c8e2

2015: sold for GBP 3k https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...ined&queryID=99fbf25c1fd5e4a786f8abb79e900c5f

Here one for sale but redial I assume https://somlo.com/products/3892.
Another 14324 https://www.vwcweb.com/EN/Scheda/314/omega/seamaster-1950s-ref-14324-hooded-textured-lugs-18kt-y-g
And another https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1595083055/1950-omega-seamaster-352-18k-gold-bumper
Thank you for the information. It's never been clear to me if the gold bracelet on my watch was offered by Omega or an addition by some jewelry stores. The advertisement leads me to believe the former.
 
Mark020
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It is original to the watch!
0 (28).webp
 
Vanallard
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Awesome watch! I have the same reference. I posted a thread re: the original bracelet for the reference and included a photo of a watch with a band similar/the same as yours and the absence of Omega markings had some members question the originality of the band. Can you post photos of the clasp?

IMG_4705.webp
 
cristos71
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What a beautiful watch/bracelet and just fantastic that you still have the box....papers too?
 
DocV
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cristos71 cristos71
What a beautiful watch/bracelet and just fantastic that you still have the box....papers too?
The box yes, but no papers.
 
gatorcpa
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This ad is from the 1955 Norman Morris Omega catalog:

IMG_5454.webp


The bracelet and clasp of the OP’s watch match perfectly, even though there is no Omega logo on the clasp.

The box may be rarer than the watch.

I’ve seen these with no model name, Seamaster or Ultima on the dial.

Beautiful piece.
gatorcpa
 
cristos71
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
The box may be rarer than the watch.

Beautiful piece.
gatorcpa
I was thinking that too, I don't remember ever seeing this box before.
 
DocV
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Vanallard Vanallard
Awesome watch! I have the same reference. I posted a thread re: the original bracelet for the reference and included a photo of a watch with a band similar/the same as yours and the absence of Omega markings had some members question the originality of the band. Can you post photos of the clasp?

IMG_4705.webp
The only marking on the band is 18K. The clasp is exactly what is shown in the original Omega advertisement for the watch.

Omega_Seamaster_Ultima7.webp Omega_Seamaster_Ultima6.webp Omega_18K_SeamasterUltimaAd.webp
 
Dan S
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I don't think anyone is doubting that bracelet. 👍
 
Vanallard
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I’ve attached a photo of the watch that was being sold with what appears to be the same bracelet. @mac_omega who knows a thing or two about early chronometres noted that the bracelet was not original. While the absence of Omega hallmarks on the bracelet is unusual, another example of this reference with the same band with the original box substantiates the originality of the band IMO.

IMG_5614.webp
 
MSNWatch
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I'm guessing the bracelet was an addition to the watch for the US market. @mac_omega may still have been correct that this model was not available with this bracelet in the European market. Perhaps the absence of swiss hallmarks on the bracelet supports this?
 
bgrisso
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Im not sure if this watch is related, but I just wandered into a local store and saw it a few days ago.

IMG_4975.webp IMG_4976.webp
 
dsio
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Another one with some dial damage and polishing going no reserve on eBay, definitely a decent amount of gold weight for a head only watch, any guesses as to what it might go for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/298513047066

s-l1600.webp s-l1600.webp
 
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Vanallard
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dsio dsio
Another one with some dial damage and polishing going no reserve on eBay, definitely a decent amount of gold weight for a head only watch, any guesses as to what it might go for?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/298513047066

s-l1600.webp s-l1600.webp
I don’t think this one will interest too many collectors given the condition of the dial, polished case and engraving. Gold content is about $3k USD I figure. I’d be surprised if this one surpasses 3.5k USD. Still a cool reference.
 
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chrisinohio
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My goodness, what a lovely watch. So nice to see with the box as well.
 
Vanallard
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chrisinohio chrisinohio
My goodness, what a lovely watch. So nice to see with the box as well.
Ignore my previous comment - I thought you were commenting about the box in the current eBay listing.
Edited:
 
smorrisonmd
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Vanallard Vanallard
I don’t think this one will interest too many collectors given the condition of the dial, polished case and engraving. Gold content is about $3k USD I figure. I’d be surprised if this one surpasses 3.5k USD. Still a cool reference.
Still an attractive and relatively rare watch. I will take the over on $3500.
 
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