Vintage omega 3010 bumper mechanism question

Wizzar · Jul 16, 2023

Hi I am about to buy this vintage omega watch. I was wondering why there are no serial numbers on mechanism while on other picture of this mechanism they are there. Should I be suspicous about it? Overall in my opinion there is nothing to worry about and it looks good but I’m not a specialist regarding vintage watches. Check photos.

TIMElyBehaviour · Jul 16, 2023

I see a serial number on the movement and a ref on the caseback.
If the pictures were higher quality I could tell you what the numbers are.

X350 XJR · Jul 16, 2023

You should be suspicious because reference 2374 is not a Seamaster.

TIMElyBehaviour · Jul 16, 2023

X350 XJR
You should be suspicious because reference 2374 is not a Seamaster.

Agreed, I just put in 2374 into dr Google and all standard automatic with small seconds

X350 XJR · Jul 16, 2023

Just to be clear I would HIGHLY advise you to NOT buy this watch.

Wizzar · Jul 17, 2023

X350 XJR
Just to be clear I would HIGHLY advise you to NOT buy this watch.

I was told this is very early version of seamaster. But yes, why there is no seamaster logotype on the back and this logo on the front where I can’t find anything like this. But it doesn’t really look like a mix of different parts, it looks solid.

JimInOz · Jul 17, 2023

It's possible the hammer bridge was replaced at service and no serial number was engraved.
It's not a total mix of parts, but it's not a Seamaster. It's either a redial (a very good one) or a later service dial.

Wizzar · Jul 17, 2023

JimInOz
It's possible the hammer bridge was replaced at service and no serial number was engraved.
It's not a total mix of parts, but it's not a Seamaster. It's either a redial (a very good one) or a later service dial.

thx for reply. Ok 1 more question. Are the serials on hammer bridge the same serial as above the ref number on the inner side of case back? We have some numbers there. Is it possible that they were not engraved on mechanism and were on caseback? It seems to be a mix for me as well because some things doesn’t match here. So you think there is original case back and mechanism but the dial was changed, right?

JimInOz · Jul 17, 2023

The poinçon de maître (hammer head stamp) shows that the case was produced for Omega by Manufacture Favre & Perret SA of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Case makers usually had their own serial numbers and did not normally use Omega serials to my knowledge.
Although, the 10 mil serial number relates roughly to the mid 1940s, so who knows.

The Omega vintage database also does not record it as a Seamaster.

1943
OMEGA OT 2374

Caliber561 · Jul 17, 2023

Looks like a service dial to me. If it's priced accordingly (I would expect ~$700 or less), it might be a good deal if you're comfortable with the replacement.

Wizzar · Jul 17, 2023

JimInOz
The poinçon de maître (hammer head stamp) shows that the case was produced for Omega by Manufacture Favre & Perret SA of La Chaux-de-Fonds. Case makers usually had their own serial numbers and did not normally use Omega serials to my knowledge.
Although, the 10 mil serial number relates roughly to the mid 1940s, so who knows.

The Omega vintage database also does not record it as a Seamaster.

1943
OMEGA OT 2374

Caliber561
Looks like a service dial to me. If it's priced accordingly (I would expect ~$700 or less), it might be a good deal if you're comfortable with the replacement.

it’s 18k gold isn’t it too less for 700? In my country it’d be a steal for that money I think. I had an offer for slightly more than 1500$. But it’s not about the price I’m just wondering the history and what it really is because seller is not a random guy and he has huge knowledge and it’s very strong saying this is very early version of sea master even being manufactured in the same serials as normal small second version were - 2374. I was trying to find the same dial maybe on later versions of seamasters to proof that dial has been replaced but nothing identical to this one.

Wizzar · Jul 17, 2023

For reference here is something similar also marked as 2374 ref from 1945 with bumper mechanism but without seamaster logo on dial and luma on markers and hands

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/omeg...ond-2374-cal-3010-papers-1945--id24348083.htm

padders · Jul 17, 2023

It’s really not a Seamaster. No Seamaster was ever seen without some water proofing measures. I’ve also never seen a Seamaster with the earlier exposed springs 30.10RA PC version of the 330 movement. The fact it’s had the serial bridge replaced means you’ll never identify or date it properly, but it’ll be mid 1940s and is just too early as the Seamaster brand was launched in 1948 with the 342 & 351 movements. The 10m number in the caseback is more likely to be a case serial rather than the missing movement serial. Omega used those especially on gold watches up until the late 1940s but they aren’t as useful as movement serials for dating or ID. If it is the movement serial then it’s from circa 1945 and therefore way too early.

It’s a collection of parts including a service dial from more like 1960 at a guess, maybe later. If the seller is indeed knowledgable then he’s spinning you a yarn.

JimInOz · Jul 17, 2023

Here is a stainless version of the 2374 (CK2374).
It's not a Seamaster

Wizzar · Jul 17, 2023

How it’s possible that 1960 dials match the mechanism from 1943. I mean small second must match place on dial. Thx for answers you all I’m trying to understand what do we have here 😀

/e maybe someone do have an idea exactly what model of seamaster and year is that dial from?

mac_omega · Jul 17, 2023

Wizzar
maybe someone do have an idea exactly what model of seamaster and year is that dial from?

does this really matter?
What you have there is a seriously non-correct watch at a pretty high price considering the put together stuff.
Why don´t you just leave it behind and look for a better and original example?
You have got very good advise from knowledgeable members of this forum, so do believe them and don´t spend money on a non-original piece.

Wizzar · Jul 17, 2023

mac_omega
does this really matter?
What you have there is a seriously non-correct watch at a pretty high price considering the put together stuff.
Why don´t you just leave it behind and look for a better and original example?
You have got very good advise from knowledgeable members of this forum, so do believe them and don´t spend money on a non-original piece.

I thought it’s a forum so the point is to discuss anything regarding watches etc. I can leave it no problem but I’m not blindly following people I try to think and search and verify myself I highly appreciate help here and it has an impact on my decision for sure. To have an evidence of wrong dial for the watch I only asked now if someone knows what exactly is the year of the dial so I can show to the seller than it’s not the original set. That’s it, I’m also searching for that now

JimInOz · Jul 17, 2023

Many of the 30mm calibers with sub-seconds could have used the same dials as they were derived from a "base caliber" and changes were mainly rotors or bridges and other minor parts (in the case of the 30mm bumper calibers).

A dial from a caliber 269 (30mm manual wind sub-seconds) may also fit the movement and these were available on watches circa 1962 such as reference 125.0003, although I don't know if the dial feet positions etc are compatible, so the dial may have been modified to fit.

For each specific model, Omega often issued many dial variations, so trying to pin down the dial to a specific model will require some epic research.

The only way to begin is to remove the hands and the dial from the movement, identify what the dial is and go from there.

TIMElyBehaviour · Jul 17, 2023

I have a seamaster from 1950 with a 351 bumper that is an unbranded one like what you are thinking. This one is all original and has a screw on caseback etc.

Here are shots of it for you to compare. Even this model is hard to find. The handset is original to this ref as is the crown. All original and verified as a seamaster.