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Well it is hand done. I believe "Seamaster" may have been added on the back too. Perhaps this is all to save a watch who's case had been melted?
Damn... I was mesmerised by the dial... and the prospect of owning all 4 date and stepping combinations in time lol
I have an 18K ref 2848/2846 with the exact SEAMASTER WATERPROOF lightly stamped on the outside. The finish and hallmarks inside the case also look correct as well. The other engraving although not typical doesn't bother me as I've seen similar before.
I wonder if this could be done by omega on watches they have reconditioned. Remaking parts where they don't have have original parts? As this back may well be from Omega, engraving and all, the question remains, Why?
At first, I thought that there were problems with this watch. In fact, I actually posted something about it being a frankenwatch here and quickly removed it. After doing a bit more research on this particular model, I think it's OK. I had concerns about the 19 jewel rotor in the movement. I was able to find one of the parts sheets for the cal. 503 and it showed that like the cal. 501, this movement did come in both 19 and 20 jewel versions. I think that the autowinding module has been replaced, but with the parts correct for this watch. Very common for the early Omega rotor movements. The dial looks good and the issues noted above with the lettering don't trobule me at all. Like coins in a mint, sometimes the caseback may not be perfectly in the proper position when the stamping process is done. This will cause some minor distortion in the lettering. Given the high cost of melting down and re-manufacturing a gold caseback, I can easily see the contractor just letting it go out like that. After all, other than us, who would ever notice? The engraving on the outside of the caseback looks good to me as well. It might be just a little "filled in" from an overzealous polishing, or it could just be the camera angle. Someone is going to get a very nice watch! gatorcpa
I asked the seller what his Buy It Now was, and he mentioned 4.5k, which is exactly what my 2627 date at six stepped went for on eBay at full auction duration. I don't think the condition and configuration quite warrants that but its going to be interesting to see what the hammer price is.
I would love one of these, but it is a little steep for me just now. This watch may not complete auction.