Hi guys! First of all - thanks for letting me in the Omega family. Last month I was poking around a local antique collectors market, and found this por thing under a pile of rough nick watches. I've owned a Seamaster 30 in the past, so thought I'd give it a overhaul - the crystal was in bad shape. And later, after a go with some Poywatch I found a small crack. But a new original one is already fitted. The case looked OK, the crown was original Omega and straight, and the movement turned without any problems. Hairspring seemed happy. As you've already guessed, I took it with me.. After a few days I finally got some time to open it up - finding a back gasket in poor condition, but a new one is on its way. The 286 caliber looks flawless. Serial number 218xxx.. indicates production around '64? And then I saw the reference number - 135.007-64 - and gave it a search - almost no hits.. I most confess, I have minimal experience with military watches, but found out that the dial was mil-spec (?). And a close reference called PAF, gave way more hits. So, it's not a part of the 'dirty dosen', had no marks that indicated any military links. But then again - the marking 'C. P. O. FLAMSON 322' might say something? CPO or Chief Petty Officer was a rank used in the British navy, if I'm not mistaken. And the number 322, turns out to be the last three in the service number . It is most likely bought and engraved at a NAAFI somewhere in the British Islands The dial is, to which I can find, mil-spec. And in really good condition - looks like original lume, all fonts are intact, and the hands looks right. Is this a rare model or is it a franken? Anyway, to me it looks genuine. But then again I can't really find out much about it. - Martin
I've been looking at Seamaster 30s online recently. Retail dealers want around $1200 to $2000 for similar conditioned watches but that's probably high if one were selling it here.
You can also look at some ebay and other past auctions, it can be a better measure. Some retailers have overinflated published prices, and sell their watches at lower discounted but unpublished prices.
I've searched alle over the place, but found few of these with this dial. https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/123518098821 This one is close But the lume dots are different, the case is polished hard, and the crown is different. https://omegaforums.net/threads/seamaster-30-paf-135-007-64.55842/ This PAF is really close But again, different dial and not the original crown. https://forums.watchuseek.com/f30/f...military-dial-cal-286-1964-watch-4107354.html Now, this is spot on. And made me more confident that mine is all original too. But the price listed confuses me - is it really worth that much, and is it that rare?
You can order an extract by the Omega museum. It could give you more details if the watch is military issued. I have a Seamaster 600 (ref 135.011) with the same type of dial.
If it was NAAFI sold then the extract will say so. Will be worth getting. Doesn’t mean it was an issued piece but it adds interest and does suggest use by someone on the military.
I'm not sure if it was made for military purposes but not officially used in service. I need to get some founds before spending 120 CHF for an extract. But that may tell us if at least the 135.007-64 was offered.