Hi all,
My 354 Seamaster bumper I think it might be a bit of a Unicorn.

From what I understand the cal354 chronometer was generally used in the constellations of the time - however being a 18k Rose Gold large case (36mm) I’m guessing this might have been a luxury model.

Has anyone come across similar before? Any ideas of value?
cheers
Damian

 

Very nice watch, and certainly uncommon, though I wouldn't characterize it as a "unicorn". I owned and sold this steel version with rose gold indexes:

 

For values best to check completed listings on eBay. If you would like your watch assessed for condition, which affects the value, post more pics from various angles, including the back, the inside of the case and the movement.

 

If all original (strap swapped out even) it's a nice watch and not to common but they are abound. Seen them go from 1500 USD to 4950 USD. Take your sweet time and hold out till you get what you can. Also vintage Omegas of many models are shooting up in price. If you can wait another 5 years you may be surprised. Cheers!

 

Thanks for the response Tony - I guess it was more the combination with respect to the unicorn comment including that it is 18k Rose gold as opposed to steel...

 

I understand. You are correct that a nice rose gold version would be less common than steel, but, at the risk of being a bit pedantic, a "unicorn", in vintage watch parlance, would be much more difficult to find.

Good luck with the sale!

 

Keep in mind that for many, myself included steel would be more desirable and often more valuable than even rose gold.

 

Fair enough - if you could point me in the direction of comparable pieces I’d be very interested. In five years I’ve seen one - listed on this forum for US$5000 in 2012...

 

With respect, you really need to work on your search skills . Note that a couple of these are French market cases (which only makes a difference in terms of desirability in the eyes of some collectors), and I am not certain that they are all 35/36mm. But the main point stands.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/sol...ter-in-18k-solid-gold-collector-piece.103797/

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f20/omega-seamaster-bumper-354-gold-18k-chronometer-1035846.html

https://omegaforums.net/threads/rar...-pink-gold-jumbo-seamaster-chronometer.13092/

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://cdn2.chrono24.com/images/uhren/images_92/s5/13109592_zoom_v1575374806385.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.chrono24.com/omega/omega-seamaster-chronometre-cal-354--id13109592.htm&docid=lzvtMT_GrdfpGM&tbnid=_Azl-ekSWJqpfM:&vet=10ahUKEwjhm-nPoNjmAhVrQRUIHWdLC4YQMwhRKAwwDA..i&w=1564&h=1600&itg=1&client=safari&bih=1038&biw=1338&q=omega seamaster chronometer 354 18k 2577&ved=0ahUKEwjhm-nPoNjmAhVrQRUIHWdLC4YQMwhRKAwwDA&iact=mrc&uact=8

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/f...r-automatic-18k-gold-chronometer-4823957.html

https://corrvintagewatches.com/product/omega-seamaster-1950/

https://omegaforums.net/attachments...watch-18k-pink-gold-crosshair-354-jpg.318126/

https://omegaforums.net/attachments/img_4331-jpg.735026/

https://www.carousell.ph/p/1952-ome...k-gold-chronometer-rolex-tudor-iwc-238509207/

 

Here’s my 354 jumbo seamaster chronometer in rose gold with a very clean honeycomb dial.If I remember correctly I paid £2000 for it about
Two years ago
There is no way I am parting with it

 

How about £1700?

 

Did you miss a nought off that offer

 

Here’s my rose gold example in jumbo chronometre format.
I’ve never seen another with these hands, but I’m not sure it’s a unicorn. Maybe a narwhal.

 

With respect you have shown me nothing that is comparable to my piece... working in the field of science as a profession I’m fairly comfortable with my search (and research skills).

 

I doubt you'll find exactly the same watch anywhere as there were different dial configurations so, there will always be small differences. These jumbo Seamaster chronometers are uncommon - I owned the one posted by @Snowman but sold a year or two before he bought it.

For me, you are closest to the third link that @Tony C. posted but, that has the more desirable waffle dial, in my opinion. It would be hard to put an exact price on your watch and collectors change over the years. When I started here, many threads were about Constellations but now, the focus seems to have shifted to Speedmasters. I don't know if these jumbo Seamaster watches were ever as popular as those two models.

If you're going to sell, put on eBay with a reserve that works for you - perhaps $2500. I'd hope you get more than that but, it depends on who is looking.

If you're not selling, it's a brilliant watch and I hope you enjoy it.

Cheers, Chris

 

From your original post:

I linked to multiple similar watches, and others were posted subsequently. The only differences are dial variations, and a couple were French cased. While not identical, those watches are, by any reasonable definition, comparable.

Furthermore, the implication of your original post was that large, gold cased, cal. 354 bumper Seamaster chronometers are extremely rare. They aren't, as demonstrated by the numerous examples on this thread.

 

I

Thanks Chris,

I appreciate that I’ll not likely see a carbon copy but if I am shown yellow gold and 34mm versions as comparisons it’s not really apples. I’m also concious that even if something is rare it is not necessarily valuable or desirable - so I’m not blinded by what it is.

I was more interested in comments on the most similar item I have personally found( on this forum nonetheless) saying things such as ‘this must be rarer than a 2915 Speedmaster’... anyways the original thread was a question and a number members such as yourself have been very constructive and helpful in their responses - which I am appreciative of. The joy of the hobby is the hunt, the history, and the variables - it would be nice if it didn’t also include egos...

Happy New Year and happy hunting...

cheers