Well, After a long time coming and many many flips I have decided that I am not going to go for the no-date Sub I thought I had always wanted since first getting into watches. No, instead I am going to get my very own "new" Seamaster 300. You see, my first "good" watch was a 2531.80. I've owned countless other Seamasters and Speedmasters alike, even dipping into Rolex but never getting that no-date I swore one day would happen. I always kept coming back to Omega. I've had a fondness for the SM300 in most of its iterations, I'm wearing my 2254.50 as I type this actually, but the vintage model is just so gorgeous. I wanted a piece that I could wear, and had working lume (I'm a sucker for good lume) so I thought about it for quite a while. After talking with several friends, and even trying to buy a truly NOS piece (it fell through) I said screw it, and put a list together. Hour/Minute Hand: 065PZ1176 Second Hand: 066PP8118 Dial: 064PP0810001 Caseset: 055ST1660324 Case Clamps: OME5501974 x2 Case Screws: OME2255 x2 Stem: OME5631106 x2 (just in case) *edited thanks to @Archer ! Date Wheel: OME5601500N Bracelet: 1174.633 Movement: Cal 565 (currently on the hunt) To be honest I'm hoping that my list is accurate and all I will need (other than the obvious donor watch or movement) If I am missing anything please do let me know. This will be my first attempt at having a watch built and want it right and accurate. I am trying for the pictured watch below when its all said and done. Something I can wear for the rest of my life and one day pass on to my children. While I know it will never be the same as a vintage piece, I am ok with that. This I can use and abuse and not be afraid of it, like I know I would be with a vintage.
Do it. My preference is for a no-date but that's your choice. I'd start getting all of the parts together right now, they are going to be harder and costlier to find as time goes by. Here's one to keep you focussed.
I was looking at this a few years ago but opted for vintage. There was an old post I found on another forum might be helpful. http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.php?178838-A-do-it-yourself-SM300
Congrats to OP! This has been my very own long going project which I too hope to finish one day. The best tool/diver watch ever, IMHO!
Some of the parts might come together, if you are buying a complete kit. If not, it appears the crown and case gasket are missing. Also, the movement is likely to be sourced with a date disc, most commonly the white one.
I became the proud new owner of this very beautiful thing just today. For what it's worth, I'm pretty sure that you'll not regret following through with this project. Good luck with the hunt!
5501974 is the case clamp number (you identified that in your original post). For Cal. 563 to 565 you need the 5631106 stem. For 550 to 562, it's the 5501106 stem.
Doh! I see what I did now. Didn't list the number for the stem, listed the number for the clamp in its place, although I have ordered everything.... I did accidentally order the 5501106 stems and not the 5631106. Ugh. What's your take on these Archer? I'm sure you've built several.
Good luck on your build. I restored about 4 old ones, did a build in 04 (sold afterwards) and bought all the parts in 09 which sat until I sold it to someone else in '14 as I figured I wasn't going to wear it DON
both date and non-date models do look great! if I have the option in getting one, I'd go for the non-date!
You can get cases at Cousins UK. To my knowledge, they are the only supplier of these SM300 cases and once they're gone, you won't be able to obtain one unless you are @Archer or if you find one on the free market. Last I checked, they had around 40 cases left. Anyway, I just realized I purchased two of the wrong stems. I did a no-date build with a 552 movement and didn't realize that the stems were different between the 552/565... Now that I'm doing a 565 date build, I have two extra 550 1106 stems. Just my luck!
