This was my first post. I'd seen a Seamaster that looked a little beaten so I presumed there was a chance that it could be all original. Obviously a very misguided presumption.

http://omegaforums.net/threads/is-this-seamaster-147-012-original.6168/

However on the other side of the coin, here is a watch I have seen that looks so beautiful that my presumption is that it can't be good. It looks like it has a refurbed face and has obviously been polished. So obviously I'm aware that the face components and crown may not match the year etc. I couldnt find a 1966 Seamaster with the 562 movement with the two tone 14 k/SS. The Omega lettering looks a bit odd and the hour hand has some blemishes. I wonder what you guys think?

I have been using the Omega vintage watch database for a while and for so many watches I see I cannot bring up a successful search on the case numbers. Is there a reason for that?

 

Welcome Marsy, it is a 14730 version 1, not a 147.301. Here is what Omega says.
SeamasterCalendar
Gents' leather strap

Reference
KO 14730
International collection
1960
Movement
Type: Automatic (mechanical)
Caliber number: 562
Created in 1958
24 jewels
Central sweep-second hand
Some of these calibers were chronometer certified
Functions
Date
Case
Gold-cap on stainless steel
Case back
Unishell (case opening on dial side)
Dial
Domed
Crystal
Armoured hesalite
Bracelet
Leather
Water resistance
30 meters

 

Thanks for the welcome Uncle Buck and thanks for clearing up the coding. I think I must have over analysed the instructions on the omega database.

Any thoughts on the watch itself?

 

Well the movement has been cobbled together from at least 2 different watches for a start - which would set my alarm bells ringing - as the bridge has come from a chronometer ( as it has "and temperature" on it) - and the watch you are looking at was never a chronometer !!!

run forrest run !

there will be much nicer examples along in a minute

 

It seems from the Omega database that there were Chronometer certified 562 movements and this one is stamped chronometer on the front. Is there something else on the movement to suggest that it's not actually a Chronometer?

 

Some of these movements were chronometer certified, Sherbie, do you think any chance the parts were just co-mingled?

Marsy, I think your redial feeling is spot on. If you are looking for an original dial valuable to collectors, see Sherbie's advice above, if you think it's beautiful and want it, don't listen to anybody but your wife (if applicable).

 

Its just a hunch that i have. I think that they have placed a redial onto the watch and added the words "automatic chronometer" on it, then found a chronometer bridge - all in an attempt to extract more money.

Imcould be completely wrong here, and i sure the real experts will chip in soon, but I would touch it

 

Refinished dial AND hacked movement.

That off color bridge is a huge red flag on what is a very uncommon movement (a chronometer 562).

The few cal 562 chronometer movements were not used in this reference.

 

This is a constant mental struggle for me! Go for something I consider beautiful and forget everything else (essentially buying in to the style) or hold out for something original but perhaps not exactly what I want aesthetically.

I already have a very nice gold Raymond Weil which I inherited from my father. It's the perfect thickness to wear under a shirt and jacket but it's also very vintage looking and not 100% my cup of tea. Stylistically this Seamaster is my dream watch... black face, very simple and 2 tone to work with both brown and black straps.

It;s currently up to about 400 pounds.

 

Sherbie,I'm with you 100%, They probably couldn't spell "Officially Certified"

Marsy, that price stuns me ! Again, refer to Sherbies advice above !

 

Thanks. So it seems that Sherbie's hunch could be correct.

This sort of thing is so dishonest... although living in Poland myself, I can't really say I'm surprised

 

I think you would be better off waiting and buying something from this forum,s classified. For example, Dablitzer had a lovely Seamaster for sale (now sold) that looked great

be patient is my advice

 

I'll definitely be keeping a close eye on the classifieds. Thanks for the advice

 

I agree with everyone above - sometimes its tempting to just take that redial, but please don't when the movement looks like that. It just takes a little patience - i hunted on ebay for four months and got an original black dial constellation for what you are being asked for here; and six months on forums for a good condition Great White in my price bracket - but if I'd pulled the trigger earlier, every time i looked at my wrist I'd know they were wrong....

 

You're definitely right. I've been looking for quite a while and using the forum for advice but I don't think I've been systematic enough which has just led to more confusion. The important thing is that I remain patient.

 

There you go - that's exactly the attitude to take. You've been given goood opinions on that watch - it is a redial and a cobbled together movement. The color of the ink should match the color of the dial furniture (markers, hands, etc) on black original Omega dials.