The Jumbo Omega Seamaster 2976: A Rare Bird

Introducing for the first time on OF (as far as I can see) the ultra rare (yes, I'm using these words) omega seamaster CK 2976-1.

It's a strange monster with a diameter of 38mm without crown. On the back the big hippocampus logo. It's running on a caliber 501. Because of its size, they had to use a movement retaining ring for the caliber 501 and the large hypocampus logo on the caseback doesn't even fill up the back's center section. The dial contains a simple script with 'omega automatic' at 12 and 'seamaster' at 6. All examples I could find showing 'swiss made' under the 6 marker. There are three second markers between 11/12 and 12/1. All examples have a coathanger S and a short r in Seamaster and dauphine hands with onyx (?) markers. All examples have a referencenumber 16xxx which suggest these were only made during a short period in 1959. I'm not sure what kind of bracelet these were delivered.

It's the successor of the 2975 which also got the big hippocampus logo.

The 2976 is not in the omega database. My research showed there are two references: the 2976-1 and the 2976-2. The 2976-2 has a two tone dial while the 1 does'nt.

I think these were specially made for the Asian market. The Japanese somehow love big omega's. That is probably why the 168.001 and the other jumbo connies were made also for this part of the world.

At this moment I can find two other 2976-1's on the web. One is on Instagram. The other one on the following link:

https://www.thevintageur.com/product/omega-seamaster-oversize-2976-1-sc-cal-501/

According to the extract of the omega archives the watch from 'thevintageur' was delivered in Singapore on the 21st of December 1959. Seller is asking EUR 10.000,00.

Back to my watch. I woke up a bit early and did my usual round through ebay and suddenly I saw a 166.010-ish seamaster. Seller was stating 38mm so I thought this was a mistake. Quick search on the web and it turned out it was true so I punched the BIN. It was 05.30 in the morning so I had the advantage of the Europeans who were still sleeping. And now I'm the owner of a 2976-1.

There are two concerns.

The second hand is too short but I think the end of the second hand broke off (see picture).

Second concern is that the swiss made is not visible because of the rehaut which is directly against the 6 marker. At the other hand, the script and font are IMO spot on. The color of the dial is the same creamy color as the one on Instagram.

Hope you enjoy the pictures of this strange monster from the 50's.

The Instagram example

The example of thevintageur

Extremely cool one! Thanks for sharing 👍


Well, yours is a -1 and has a striped dial which is different from the sunburst dial on that page you link to, so the references probably aren't defined by different dials.

38mm and a bright dial... That thing must look huge!

In a certain way it's a ridiculous watch... 😁

I wonder how it looks like alongside a 34mm...

So you woke up early as well!

Or a 32mm ref. 2828 😁

I will take a picture tomorrow in daylight. Sadly my last 168024 is out for service. It's more or less a similar case design.

Picture small-big. And work picture.

You must get a different retaining ring for that one..!

Will do!

So 2019 was - untill now - very good for me. I've found my long sought black connie (even two!) and this strange bird. Looking forward for what's coming next. You'll never know. So back to the the hunt! Thnx guys for the compliments and see you in the next threads!

Very nice for sure but I am sorry, the seller is asking how much? Did you say €10K? That is pretty mental, 38mm or not. Do they really change hands for that kind of cash, surely not?

It's based on nothing. There is almost no reference so who knows what's the marketprice. But hey, who cares... 😁