Community Stories

Swapping dial on a omega 501?

J
Posts
9
Likes
0
Hi, I am an owner of a 1958 Omega Seamaster cal. 501. I also have zero experience with watches.

My watch has a restored dial, which I'm ok with - but if I were to find a nice untouched dial on ie ebay at a reasonable price I would be inclined to swap it. How do I know whether a given dial is compatible with my watch? Would a dial from any cal. 501 fit?
 
sonicosa
Posts
967
Likes
2,332
Any dial for a 501 caliber should fit the movement, and I believe dials from caliber 500 will as well.

Can you post a picture of the watch?
 
snunez
Posts
419
Likes
184
Caliber and dial are, I think, different. You might want to look into case size and caliber.
 
J
Posts
521
Likes
410
my noob tax was paid on a 501 cal seamaster... the rare blue wave version.
1 (1).jpg 1 (2).jpg

made worse by the chip in the re-dialed paint@ 12-1 o'clock.
IIRC there was a black dial version offered by the same e-dealer at the time.
 
sonicosa
Posts
967
Likes
2,332
Edit: I just realized @joe band is not OP posting pics of his watch. So my comments below are pretty useless.

Do you happen to know the reference? Looks like it 2846 to me, possibly.

The case is quite polished, and the hands / crown are most likely wrong for the reference. If it were my watch, I'd be hesitant to sink any more money into it.

Is there a sentimental or other reason you want to hold on to it and try to improve it?
Edited:
 
Spruce
Posts
7,449
Likes
59,487
J joe band
my noob tax was paid on a 501 cal seamaster... the rare blue wave version.
1 (1).jpg 1 (2).jpg

made worse by the chip in the re-dialed paint@ 12-1 o'clock.
IIRC there was a black dial version offered by the same e-dealer at the time.
Still, on a positive note, you need have no qualms on getting it re-re-dialled in the colour of your choice😀
 
Archer
Posts
27,647
Likes
70,281
J JohnnyW
Would a dial from any cal. 501 fit?

Not necessarily. Dials are made to fit the movement certainly, but also made to fit into a specific case.
 
MSNWatch
Posts
6,603
Likes
11,338
Lots of variables - movement and size have to be right and has to match the hands that you have unless you plan on swapping those out as well. And if you use the same hands (seconds hand is wrong) they are aged and may not match properly with a dial in good shape. As pointed out here better and easier to find a nicer example unless this watch has sentimental value.
 
J
Posts
9
Likes
0
Thanks for the replies so far.

sonicosa sonicosa
Edit: I just realized @joe band is not OP posting pics of his watch. So my comments below are pretty useless.

Do you happen to know the reference? Looks like it 2846 to me, possibly.

The case is quite polished, and the hands / crown are most likely wrong for the reference. If it were my watch, I'd be hesitant to sink any more money into it.

Is there a sentimental or other reason you want to hold on to it and try to improve it?

The pictures above are note mine (OP). I have a gold plated 2846 with original hands.

MSNWatch MSNWatch
Lots of variables - movement and size have to be right and has to match the hands that you have unless you plan on swapping those out as well. And if you use the same hands (seconds hand is wrong) they are aged and may not match properly with a dial in good shape. As pointed out here better and easier to find a nicer example unless this watch has sentimental value.

Archer Archer
Not necessarily. Dials are made to fit the movement certainly, but also made to fit into a specific case.

So are movement/cal and diameter the two variables to go by? Besides finding a dial with patina matching the rest of the watch.
 
Archer
Posts
27,647
Likes
70,281
J JohnnyW
So are movement/cal and diameter the two variables to go by? Besides finding a dial with patina matching the rest of the watch.

Not just diameter...often the curve of the dial can be a factor as well.
 
J
Posts
9
Likes
0
Archer Archer
Not just diameter...often the curve of the dial can be a factor as well.

Thank you very much.! One final question. For now 😀

Mine is a 2846 8SC. What does the ‘8sc’ stand for? I’ve seen variation like 2sc.
 
ConElPueblo
Posts
9,594
Likes
27,657
The numeral is the case batch number (there can be dial variances within the same batch) and the SC is "Seconde Centrale" for the large, central seconds hand as opposed to having a second subdial.
 
J
Posts
9
Likes
0
ConElPueblo ConElPueblo
The numeral is the case batch number (there can be dial variances within the same batch) and the SC is "Seconde Centrale" for the large, central seconds hand as opposed to having a second subdial.

Thanks!
 
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Greatgoo

Advice on a Omega Speedmaster Marui 3510.21. Panda

Greatgoo Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
watch_my_six
watch_my_six
Posts
3
Views
886
David Anderson

Some advice on a Omega Constellation

David Anderson Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
33
Views
4K
jambon

advice on a omega seamaster calendar

jambon Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
cristos71
cristos71
Posts
13
Views
2K
Kevin Lee

Seeking advice on a Omega Speedmaster 145.022-68ST

Kevin Lee Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
BlackTalon
BlackTalon
Posts
25
Views
3K
la_lusigne

Opinions on a Omega British military watch

la_lusigne Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
la_lusigne
la_lusigne
Posts
11
Views
3K
la_lusigne

Please some advices on a Omega Seamaster ref.166.073

la_lusigne Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
pascs
pascs
Posts
3
Views
752