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Seamaster with interesting Plaid Dial - any insight?

TNTwatch
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JimInOz JimInOz
Without wanting to be a party pooper, I think the dial has been re-done at some stage.

The OMEGA is not centred correctly, the vertical bar of the E should be closer to centre, that is, almost directly beneath the gap in the Ω. However, the AUTOMATIC seems to be correctly positioned which makes the OMEGA stand out even more.
The Seamaster is tilted, not level with the etching.

I also think I can see some residual minute markers, mainly between 5 and 10, but it could just be random spots.

While the shot isn't absolutely dead square on, it's enough to make me doubt originality. Not that it is a bad thing, many watches of this vintage were cleaned and re-inked as part of a service, the owners and watchmakers were not thinking of pedantic collectors yet to be born.

I've attached a shot to support my theory and welcome any comment.

PDSM_markings.jpg
Very good eyes! It's very probable that the minute track has been cleaned away due to deterioration around the rim of the dial with apparently still visible cleaning marks. But it's less likely (very unlikely) that the applied OMEGA had been repositioned, but more likely a factory error there, unless it's now just glued on.
 
Kreindog24
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Thanks for the critical eyes and feedback. I welcome it! It's what makes this forum outstanding!!
 
gatorcpa
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JimInOz JimInOz
Without wanting to be a party pooper...
Then don't. I think the watch is not being photographed straight up and down. Also, it is being photographed with the crystal on, which can also cause distortion.

I don't think this style of dial ever had minute register marks. Those sort-of minute marks between 1 and 2 o'clock look like dirt to me.

At most, this is a botched cleaning attempt. Although this could be the original finish.

If you look at the word "Automatic", you can see that the depression on the dial is straight relative to the printing. Same with "Seamaster".

I think it is a very nice watch with an unusual and stylish 1960's dial.
gatorcpa
 
JimInOz
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Then don't. I think the watch is not being photographed straight up and down. Also, it is being photographed with the crystal on, which can also cause distortion.

I don't think this style of dial ever had minute register marks. Those sort-of minute marks between 1 and 2 o'clock look like dirt to me.

At most, this is a botched cleaning attempt. Although this could be the original finish.

If you look at the word "Automatic", you can see that the depression on the dial is straight relative to the printing. Same with "Seamaster".

I think it is a very nice watch with an unusual and stylish 1960's dial.
gatorcpa

There was no malice intended.

I think the OP deserves to know what others think and any comments made here are meant to be educational and supportive.
I would rather he learn't here than have some external call him on a redial.

I still stand by my comments.
 
Kreindog24
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Thanks for the discussion. What can I do to provide better support to lean on your combined expertise? When I have the watchmaker open it up, should I have him photograph the dial without the crystal? Anything else that might allow to determine if the dial is original? Thanks again for the conversation.
 
gatorcpa
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Kreindog24 Kreindog24
What can I do to provide better support to lean on your combined expertise?
Nothing. We have a difference of opinion.

The only thing that would change my opinion would be if you could get the watchmaker to take a picture of the back of the dial when he takes the watch apart. When a dial is refinished, they generally scratch job numbers on the back of the dial.
gatorcpa
 
Kreindog24
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Perfect! I'll take that advice. I'm glad for the lively conversation. Thanks to all who've weighed in. It adds to my education and helps me understand my watch better. I greatly appreciate the time and consideration. I'll post what I find in a few days.
 
Kreindog24
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Here are the results from @ahartfie and my second trip to the watchmaker. The watchmaker felt the dial was an untouched original. Movement looked great. He is going to get the right crystal and crown

@TNTwatch was right on the spot with a ref 14770 562 cal. . Take a look and let me know if any of your expert eyes see anything more. Really appreciate all the help and advice!
IMG_1982.JPG IMG_1983.JPG IMG_1984.JPG IMG_1985.JPG IMG_1987.JPG IMG_1988.JPG IMG_1989.JPG IMG_1990.JPG IMG_1991.JPG
 
ahsposo
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Uh,oh looks like a job for Rodico™.
 
Kreindog24
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Oh I know. Con El Pueblo is going to light me up for not wearing gloves. 🙁😒😬
 
Jwit
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Kreindog24 Kreindog24
Oh I know. Con El Pueblo is going to light me up for not wearing gloves. 🙁😒😬
I was just about to comment about the fingerprints on the rotor 👎

However it looks nice and clean otherwise to me 😁
 
TNTwatch
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Kreindog24 Kreindog24
Here are the results from @ahartfie and my second trip to the watchmaker. The watchmaker felt the dial was an untouched original. Movement looked great. He is going to get the right crystal and crown

@TNTwatch was right on the spot with a ref 14770 562 cal. . Take a look and let me know if any of your expert eyes see anything more. Really appreciate all the help and advice!
IMG_1982.JPG IMG_1983.JPG IMG_1984.JPG IMG_1985.JPG IMG_1987.JPG IMG_1988.JPG IMG_1989.JPG IMG_1990.JPG IMG_1991.JPG
Can you describe again how you set the date?
 
Kreindog24
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Two things...
Watch was left with
watchmaker for crown, crystal..... and cleaning of fingerprints.

I think it was a quick set in that if I pulled the crown out, the day advanced. The date I believe had to be turned. I didn't have much time with this watch before today. Can I ask why that information gives insight beyond reference and caliber? Thanks!
 
TNTwatch
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Kreindog24 Kreindog24
Two things...
Watch was left with
watchmaker for crown, crystal..... and cleaning of fingerprints.

I think it was a quick set in that if I pulled the crown out, the day advanced. The date I believe had to be turned. I didn't have much time with this watch before today. Can I ask why that information gives insight beyond reference and caliber? Thanks!
You can always wait until it's back to use it again, since it has no day, just date only. 😉 With cal. 562 you're supposed to advance the date by turning back and forth between 9 and 12 o'clock. With cal. 563 you can do it by pulling out the crown to the 3rd position.

BTW, the lug at 5 does seem to be bent looking at both front and back, probably from having been dropped.
 
JimInOz
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A good result 👍.

Is your watchmaker going to do a full service (strip/clean/lube etc) or just remove fingerprints?
 
Kreindog24
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@TNTwatch

Ha! I've been staring at my new C case that just got the new band put on (thanks @ahartfie for the springbars) that is Day/Date.

IMG_2003.JPG


The Seamaster is marked cal 562 so I guess I'll need to set the date as described. Thanks for insight. I had no idea! Again, I appreciate the continuing education
Edited:
 
Kreindog24
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JimInOz JimInOz
A good result 👍.

Is your watchmaker going to do a full service (strip/clean/lube etc) or just remove fingerprints?

He's going to take a closer look but felt it was in good shape and didn't need a full service.
 
JimInOz
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Kreindog24 Kreindog24
He's going to take a closer look but felt it was in good shape and didn't need a full service.

It might look OK, but when was it last serviced?
It might look OK, but will it last five years until next time?

Best to get it done while the movement is out, less wear and tear on the movement/case/crystal.
 
ahartfie
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JimInOz JimInOz
It might look OK, but when was it last serviced?
It might look OK, but will it last five years until next time?

Best to get it done while the movement is out, less wear and tear on the movement/case/crystal.
I agree.
 
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