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  1. R. Johansen Feb 22, 2016

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    Hello :)

    The internet is flooded with information on collecting Speedmasters, but i can only find very little information on the first "straight lug" series of Seamasters. Therefore everything I write from now is unqualified "guesses", so fell free to to correct me if I'm wrong. I hope that someone can answer my questions.

    Ref. 2913
    The first Seamaster 300, ref. 2913, was made in 8 variations: 2913-1, 2913-2 and so on.. Production year 1957-'61.

    The dial
    It seems like the same dial was used for all of the 2913?

    The hands
    The first 4 variations has "broad arrow" hands like this:
    2913-1.jpg

    The last 4 variations (5-8) has a "thin arrow" minute hands and "dauphine" hour hand like this:
    2913-5.jpg

    As you can see at the last photo the secondhand also differ. The 2913-5 shown has the so-called "lollipop" secondhand. I have seen this on -4, -5 and -7, but I'm not quite sure whether it is a coincidence or that the lollipop-hand only correspond to this specific models. Does somebody know for sure?

    The case and caseback
    Was the same case and caseback used for the whole production of 2913?

    The movement
    Caliber 500/501 was used in the first models and Caliber 550/552 was used in the last. Is there any system in the use of different calibers? For example: Does 500/501 only correspond to the first four variations?

    The Bezel
    There should be some differences from the first half to the last half. I can't figure out what it is, but some describe it as the first models has a "count forward bezel". What does that mean?

    Ref. 14755
    Production year 1961-63. Both found as 14755-1, 14755-2 and with a year at the end of the reference.

    The dial
    It seems like the 2913 dial was used for the 14755 also.

    The hands
    14755 uses the same "thin arrow" minute hand and "dauphine" hour hand like on the last models of 2913. But I have found the 14755 with 3 different secondhands:

    12350-3dc53644e0cd752daa0961a57c37a976.jpg 14755.jpg 12716344_10209781425119215_3006329517716133904_o.jpg

    Is there a guideline for which serial numbers (or specific models?) that correspond to the different secondhands?

    The case and caseback
    Because of a slimmer movement used in ref 14755, Omega could make the caseback flatter. This means that the "profile" of the watch is slimmer in comparison to ref. 2913.

    The movement
    Caliber 550/552 was used as it was in the last versions of ref. 2913.

    Ref. 165.014
    In 1963 the 165.014 was introduced. I don't find this model as interesting as its predecessors. But fell free to put on information on this model also.

    Thank you in advance.

    *** The pictures is shamelessly taken from the www ***
     
  2. Jay_Shankar Feb 22, 2016

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    OMGRLX likes this.
  3. Jay_Shankar Feb 22, 2016

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  4. R. Johansen Feb 22, 2016

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    @Jay_Shankar
    Thank you for the links. But as most information about 2913/14755 on the internet they are too superficial. None of my question is answered.
     
    Edited Feb 22, 2016
  5. tdn-dk Feb 22, 2016

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  6. kox Feb 22, 2016

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    ::shy:: well, just a quick one then.
    Well, you've researched a bit and are correct on the general parts. Answers below. This will be the unelaborated version. Each question would and could demand its own guide. Will happen some day by someone ::book::
    Until then, take one subject and question at the time. The information and knowledge is out there, but best of all, start collecting some of them and make your own observations. As with the Speedmastes, the devil is in the detail and these are most often only noticed when seen live in hand. Even if the 1.gen straight lug SM300's have almost as many differences as the Speedy's, the lower numbers of suvivors makes them a hard task to research.... anyway

    Correct

    Correct

    Well, perhaps. I like to see BA hands on -1 to -3 and the arrow minute hands on the rest, but the BA's have been seen on -4 and -5. Remember these subreferences were produced within a short timeframe of each other...and the "swop" periode could interact up or down with a subreference.

    No, no one knows for sure... as I know of;-) The lollipop sec hand has been seen on more references than the above. Also on the -3 and the -8. And also on the early 14755's, like my one below.
    The 2913 FAP had them all more or less. And those were -3, -7 or -8. My believe is that they were developed on account of the miltary wishes and the left overs installed on civil versions in a period after especially the FAP ordres ended. I think this also apply for the lollipop on the speedmasters.

    Yes, the design was the same - all HF productions, but the 2913's caseback came with 3 different caseback text design/layout.

    No, the 2913 only used cal. 500/501. The cal. 550/552 was first used in the 14755. That's also the reason for the different caseback design of the 14755 and 165.014. The cal 50x is thicker than the cal. 55x, so the caseback of the 2913's was higher/deeper.

    Yes, well as with the BA hands, the first 3 to 4 subreferences had the count forward bezel (50 > 10 opposed to the normal diver scale 10 > 50)

    Correct. Very late 61 and well into 63. Four sub references.

    No. Well almost. There's one important difference. The dial feets are located different because of the different movements! But other than that the dial is the same.

    Well, the rule of thumb: the straight sec hands on the first 2 to 3 subreferences ("your" picture is actually mine and one of my older 14755's) and the teardrop one on the last 2-3 subreferences. The lollipop > see answer on the 2913's hands.

    Yes, see the answer on the 2913 caseback design and the different movements.

    No, Again, the cal 55x was not used in the 2913. First cal 55x in the SM300's was in the 14755's

    Don't agree :) I find it just as interesting and with many transitional differences in the first subreferences also. See this post for instance.

    Enjoy the research and hunt to come ;-)

    20140503_184725.jpg
     
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  7. oddboy Zero to Grail+2998 In Six Months Feb 22, 2016

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    Fantastic post kox! Always a pleasure to read these.

    Someone really needs to make seamaster101.com! Hint!

    :)
     
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  8. Jay_Shankar Feb 22, 2016

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    Great detailed information Kox, Thank you for your Time and sharing knowledge [emoji106]
     
  9. redpcar Feb 22, 2016

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    +1 Kox

    ..............he said Kox...........


    upload_2016-2-22_20-12-58.jpeg

    sorry, couldn't resist
     
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  10. hendra324 dealer who would rather use aftermarket parts Feb 22, 2016

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    nice info...
     
  11. R. Johansen Feb 23, 2016

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    Thank you for some really great information @kox!

    I agree that we need someone to make a seamaster101.com :)
     
    Edited Feb 23, 2016
  12. fibonacci086 Feb 23, 2016

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    Very informative !
    Thank you very much
     
  13. Dash1 Feb 23, 2016

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    Great info as usual Kox. I just love these straight lug 300's.
     
  14. mac_omega Feb 23, 2016

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    for easy find and remember - merken
     
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  15. Thy Feb 28, 2016

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    I have this 1960 catalog.
    88 pages with all models of this year.
    And that's the CK 2913 pic.



    Catalogue Omega 1960 couverture.jpg Catalogue Omega 1960 page 78.jpg
     
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