Hello!

This one just came in the post, from this ebay auction : https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-OM...Swiss-Made-Gents-Wristwatch-W71-/372317657842Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network . 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!

 

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.

 

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

Here's your answer:

You bought it on eBay.

 

@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...

 

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.

 

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?

 

Some quick pictures (nothing is cleaned yet):






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

 

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).

 

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

 

Dial is gorgeous

 

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.

 

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):

 

amazing what a new crystal can do for a watch

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.