Seamaster 2975-3SC black & crosshair dial

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S.H.

·Jun 12, 2018

Hello!

This one just came in the post, from this ebay auction : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-OM...Swiss-Made-Gents-Wristwatch-W71-/372317657842 . I intend to keep it for myself, I find the case shape nice and the dial really pretty.

Images are from the seller (a charity), I will take better ones during/after service.

Caseback reference is 2975-3SC, large raised logo, s/n is 16.5mil (around 1958). Crown (duh!) and crystal not original. Gasket turned into goo, I will have some fun cleaning it all up. Rotor bushing is shot but the part I need is readily available. The BOR bracelet is usable, too small for me but I managed to find five (5) spare BOR links😀! It is nice to have a friendly colleague who had an Omega repair station back then... The clasp has no reference number on it, just "stainless steel Omega".

A technical question: the (supposedly) matching new omega crown I can order has a pendant tube diameter of 2.5mm, the case tube has a diameter of 2mm. Did the genius responsible for the current crown f*cked something up and should I fit a 2.5 tube? Am I missing something?

Other than the crown and the crystal, I think it is OK, but any input is welcome!

 

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BenBagbag

·Jun 12, 2018

I think the really early BoR bracelets didn't have any reference on them.

Can't help you on the technical questions. But please do post more flattering photos. I'm sure there is a nice watch under all that white light and scratched crystal.

 

U

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ulackfocus

·Jun 12, 2018

S.H.

I intend to keep it for myself,

So does this mean other watches you buy to profit from? Are you a dealer?

S.H.

A technical question: the (supposedly) matching new omega crown I can order has a pendant tube diameter of 2.5mm, the case tube has a diameter of 2mm. Did the genius responsible for the current crown f*cked something up ....?

Here's your answer:

S.H.

This one just came in the post, from this ebay auction :

You bought it on eBay.

 

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S.H.

·Jun 13, 2018

@BenBagbag: I thought all bracelets had numbers ... I will post better pictures when the gasket residues are cleaned.

@ulackfocus: yes, but I'm mostly a repair guy and I rarely sell on the net, I only use forums such a these to ask for my own watches. Also, the worst watches I ever saw came from dealers, so ebay is really not that bad when you know how to look...

 

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S.H.

·Jun 13, 2018

Here is what I found under the crystal:

I'm happy, this should look good under a new crystal!

Crown tube came off too easily, it was most probably not original even if already ancient.

 

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S.H.

·Jun 23, 2018

I began to clean the case and the bracelet, and I saw that the movement has no number/omega symbol on the automatic bridge. It should be a 50x, but it is unmarked, only an omega is engraved on the lower bridge.

Were some movements left unmarked ? Is the bridge an omega service part?

 

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gatorcpa

·Jun 23, 2018·ΩF InvestiGator

S.H.

Is the bridge an omega service part?

Could be. Need pictures to think.
gatorcpa

 

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S.H.

·Jun 26, 2018

Some quick pictures (nothing is cleaned yet):

The mainplate appears more yellow than the auto bridge...

 

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gatorcpa

·Jun 26, 2018·ΩF InvestiGator

Here’s the location of the caliber engraving on a cal. 501:



It could either be a non-Omega part, or more likely, an Omega made replacement that fit several different calibers (500, 501, 503, 504, 505).

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

 

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S.H.

·Jun 26, 2018

Thanks!
The auto bridge may have been replaced by omega service parts, the color of the plating does not quite match the rest.

I'll post more pictures of the watch and movement after I clean it (still must order parts).

 

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S.H.

·Jul 29, 2018

Various service parts have arrived! Slowly getting there, I'm squeezing it between jobs. Hopefully it will be done by next weekend, to be enjoyed during my vacations! 😎

For now, tube & rotor bushing fitted, minor bracelet repairs done and links added.

 

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Dr No

·Jul 29, 2018

S.H.

Various service parts have arrived! Slowly getting there, I'm squeezing it between jobs. Hopefully it will be done by next weekend, to be enjoyed during my vacations! 😎

For now, tube & rotor bushing fitted, minor bracelet repairs done and links added.

Restoration threads like this pique my interest. Good going!

Art

 

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mario linus

·Jul 31, 2018

Dial is gorgeous

 

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S.H.

·Aug 4, 2018

A few pictures of the movement during service... Some plating loss, scratches here and there (how can you scratch a movement so much, I wonder if some "watchmakers" drop their movements in bags full of nails and gravel )

The indirect second layout is a bit strange in this calibre; the auto winding parts are nicely done.

The harsh lighting and my macro lens make it look rough but in reality cosmetics are passable. I wish it were better but I can't do much about it. No caliber number on bridge!

Still works good though, good amplitude.

 

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S.H.

·Aug 4, 2018

Now some prettier pictures, the dial is not easy to shoot properly! The red curtains in my workshop mess with the white balance 🙁

With some other automatics of the same era, a Tudor 7965 and a JLC 812 (the JLC may be a little older, it is a bumper):

 

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auxpomme

·Aug 4, 2018

amazing what a new crystal can do for a watch

 

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S.H.

·Aug 5, 2018

I saw this watch called "2975 Special" here and on the Omega official website: https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-special-ck-2975 . It is not very helpful, they did not bother putting much info. Does anyone knows the reason behind the "Special" name? I searched on the Net and found exactly nothing... 📖 except some dubious claims about rarity by overpriced sellers.

 

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S.H.

·Sep 23, 2018

I may have answered my own question... I was just browsing a 1963 catalog on the old-omegas website and noticed a seamaster "special" described as having a higher degree of waterproofness (up to 6 bars) than average.

here: http://www.old-omegas.com/catde63-2.html , p5

 

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omegastar

·Sep 23, 2018

Omega 2975 was only produced for one year in 1958. The watch you mention has a screw back and a 56X caliber.

 

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S.H.

·Sep 23, 2018

I'm well aware of both facts.

Fwiw, I tested mine up to 4 bars (did not try higher), not too bad. So my hypothesis "special" meaning in this case (like other references) "more waterproof than usual" ... could hold water? 😉 I have not found another explanation.