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Seamaster inquiry

G
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Hi,
I’m new to the forum and I’ve read the guidelines and will do my best to abide by them.

I inherited this Seamaster from my grandfather (via my father) and I’m curious if anyone can tell me anything by looking at it? I will eventually get to a watchmaker and have it opened but in the meantime, I thought I would share photos.
my grandfather was an engineer, traveled the world to tour factories and collected a lot of mid-century items. My father suggested he may have bought this watch in Switzerland in the early 1960’s.
I’ve no interest in ever selling the watch- I plan to wear it and I’m curious about its origin. I realize there’s only so much that can be determined from looking at the outside. Thanks anyway, for looking!

Questions-
Can anyone tell when this Seamaster is from?
Is it odd that it has a 19mm lug width?
Is it odd that I can’t find the words “Swiss Made”?
Does anyone know a good watchmaker in the SF Bay Area I could take it to?
If it’s working fine, does it necessarily need service?
Can a watchmaker repair the scratches to the case/crystal? Would you recommend seeking out those services?

Thanks to anyone who’s taken the time to read this- I do appreciate it!

Graham
upload_2023-2-21_8-6-30.jpeg upload_2023-2-21_8-6-49.jpeg upload_2023-2-21_8-7-4.jpeg
 
MRC
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G gdriver99
Is it odd that it has a 19mm lug width?
Is it odd that I can’t find the words “Swiss Made”?
I see hallmarks on the lugs which very probably mean it has a gold case, and so would have shipped from Switzerland as a movement and dial, then been cased in the USA. If so that might explain the lack of "Swiss Made" (or a re-dial 👎) and 19mm is extremely close to 3/4inch and would have been popular for watches to be sold in the USA.

The other questions I have to leave.
 
Plees
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Beautiful watch, but looking at the font used looks like a redial to me. A’s in seamaster are not equal, and neither are the A’s in automatic. Could be distortion from the crystal. There are experts here that can definitely give you an answer. If you are going to wear it: yes, it needs service as the service history is unknown?

it would be nice if you could make a macro photo of the hallmark.
 
G
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Here’s a closer look.
upload_2023-2-21_11-26-0.jpeg

I just asked my dad and he said he had to “have the dial resilvered after it hit the saltwater down in the Bahamas.”
I suppose that means a redial? I’m new to all these terms but I understand it would hurt the resale value but that’s ok since it’s value to me is sentimental 😀
 
Davidt
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It’s certainly a redial but far from the worst we’ve seen.

It’s from the late 60’s.
No Swiss Made as it’s a redial.
If your dad can’t recall when it was last serviced and you plan on wearing it I would have it done, even if it’s keeping time.
Crystal can be polished by you using polywatch (or toothpaste, metal polish etc).
Case polishing is generally frowned upon as it compromises the original lines and facets. It’s personal preference though.
 
Spruce
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So far as polishing is concerned, you don’t want to get it polished to remove scratches or marks, as this will damage the gold capping and reduce the value of the watch - as @Davidt suggests.

What you can do is buy one of those jewellers (impregnated) cloths and gently rub the case to remove tarnish and bring out the lustre.
 
Poppyboy
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It’s a beautiful piece. Enjoy it. Watchmakers may tell you to not wind it unless you know the service history.
 
X350 XJR
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Hallmarks indicate an almost certain probability of a solid gold case of European origin.

Screen Shot 2023-02-21 at 3.45.49 PM.png
 
G
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Wow, Solid gold case? Very cool!

My dad just got back to me and said he had it serviced by a watchmaker in the last 10 years or so. It seems to keep time quite well for me thus far so I think I’ll just polish the crystal and enjoy it for now?

Thanks all! I’ve never had a classic watch but I’m a longtime collector of music, electronics and art in different forms. I think I may have just caught the watch collecting bug 😀
Edited:
 
G
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Ok one last question if anyone is still looking at this thread:
Is it possible/practical to find a replacement dial that hasn’t been “redialed”?
 
Mark020
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Basic answer: yes. But not easy and probably not cheap
 
p_rover
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everything is possible, but the task to find a correct dial may be long to complete and expensive. Personally, I'd keep it as is and I'd only have the movement revised. After all it's a family heirloom...
 
G
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If I decide to go that route- to try to restore it closer to its original state, any advice on where to look for a replacement?
 
G
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P-rover- just seeing your response.
Excuse my ignorance but does “only have the movement revised” mean to simply service the watch as necessary?

Perhaps you’re right as far as leaving the face alone- the watch is still beautiful to look at, and likely only you Omega experts would know the difference anyway 😀
 
omem61
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G gdriver99
Hi,
I’m new to the forum and I’ve read the guidelines and will do my best to abide by them.

I inherited this Seamaster from my grandfather (via my father) and I’m curious if anyone can tell me anything by looking at it? I will eventually get to a watchmaker and have it opened but in the meantime, I thought I would share photos.
my grandfather was an engineer, traveled the world to tour factories and collected a lot of mid-century items. My father suggested he may have bought this watch in Switzerland in the early 1960’s.
I’ve no interest in ever selling the watch- I plan to wear it and I’m curious about its origin. I realize there’s only so much that can be determined from looking at the outside. Thanks anyway, for looking!

Questions-
Can anyone tell when this Seamaster is from?
Is it odd that it has a 19mm lug width?
Is it odd that I can’t find the words “Swiss Made”?
Does anyone know a good watchmaker in the SF Bay Area I could take it to?
If it’s working fine, does it necessarily need service?
Can a watchmaker repair the scratches to the case/crystal? Would you recommend seeking out those services?

Thanks to anyone who’s taken the time to read this- I do appreciate it!

Graham
upload_2023-2-21_8-6-30.jpeg upload_2023-2-21_8-6-49.jpeg upload_2023-2-21_8-7-4.jpeg
X350 XJR X350 XJR
Hallmarks indicate an almost certain probability of a solid gold case of European origin.

Screen Shot 2023-02-21 at 3.45.49 PM.png
G gdriver99
Hi,
I’m new to the forum and I’ve read the guidelines and will do my best to abide by them.

I inherited this Seamaster from my grandfather (via my father) and I’m curious if anyone can tell me anything by looking at it? I will eventually get to a watchmaker and have it opened but in the meantime, I thought I would share photos.
my grandfather was an engineer, traveled the world to tour factories and collected a lot of mid-century items. My father suggested he may have bought this watch in Switzerland in the early 1960’s.
I’ve no interest in ever selling the watch- I plan to wear it and I’m curious about its origin. I realize there’s only so much that can be determined from looking at the outside. Thanks anyway, for looking!

Questions-
Can anyone tell when this Seamaster is from?
Is it odd that it has a 19mm lug width?
Is it odd that I can’t find the words “Swiss Made”?
Does anyone know a good watchmaker in the SF Bay Area I could take it to?
If it’s working fine, does it necessarily need service?
Can a watchmaker repair the scratches to the case/crystal? Would you recommend seeking out those services?

Thanks to anyone who’s taken the time to read this- I do appreciate it!

Graham
upload_2023-2-21_8-6-30.jpeg upload_2023-2-21_8-6-49.jpeg upload_2023-2-21_8-7-4.jpeg
 
omem61
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Hello GDriver,
Call Geneva Watch Service in San Francisco. They know Omega, and are an acredited Omega repair shop.
 
Dan S
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G gdriver99
... any advice on where to look for a replacement?

That would be a challenging project for a knowledgeable collector. I really don't recommend going that route. Also, this is how your grandfather wore it, replacing the dial would erase the history.
 
p_rover
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G gdriver99
Excuse my ignorance but does “only have the movement revised” mean to simply service the watch as necessary?
Exactly! I'd service the watch and wear it.
Btw I'm not an expert, I just give my opinion. 😉
 
Stini
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G gdriver99
P-rover- just seeing your response.
Excuse my ignorance but does “only have the movement revised” mean to simply service the watch as necessary?

Perhaps you’re right as far as leaving the face alone- the watch is still beautiful to look at, and likely only you Omega experts would know the difference anyway 😀


Hi gdriver99,

Any updates on what happened with your Seamaster? I know there was a recommendation that you use Geneva Watch Service in SF. Did you end up going there for your service?
 
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