Vintage Seamaster automatic- ref 14704 with cal 552- Just bought it for $365

nkb · Nov 3, 2019

Hi again OF!
I want to thank you all for always responding whenever I post a thread, what an amazing group you are and I hope to contribute more but for now I am reading all the threads and soaking it all up.

I have the opportunity to purchase this Seamaster that has come up for sale on an auction site today. The seller is willing to let it go for $365 US dollars.

The case looks quite sharp and does not look to have been polished much.
The crown looks original and the dial and hands look in great condition.

There are no movement and inside caseback pictures yet although from the case style and dial type it looks like a ref. 14700 probably with a cal 552.

The issues I see from the pictures are:

The chip in the bezel
I dont know if that is dial damage between 3 and 5 hour markers (from radium degradation?) or just the lighting or evidence of dial re-painting?

Would love to know what the experts think as I am considering buying it.
I like the look of this Seamaster reference and think the price is reasonable.

tikkathree · Nov 3, 2019

My stock enquiry questions include
1 please confirm that the watch winds, sets and runs correctly.
2 Please confirm the timekeeping over 24 but preferably 48 hours and from a full wind for how long does the watch run?
3 Please describe any defects or faults which are not clearly visible in the photos.

If all is well, and I'd want "back off" photos too, the price looks okay. But I'm no expert.

cristos71 · Nov 3, 2019

Hmm, I'm not sure what reference it is but it doesn't look like a 14700 to me. The 14700 has longer and more tapered lugs.

nkb · Nov 3, 2019

cristos71
Hmm, I'm not sure what reference it is but it doesn't look like a 14700 to me. The 14700 has longer and more tapered lugs.

Hi Cristos
Thanks for your expert observation! Now that you pointed that out I can see what you said!
Could it be a bumper then?

I would have to ask the seller to provide movement and inside caseback photos!

What is your opinion of case and dial condition?

The Father · Nov 3, 2019

If it runs ok and you like the looks, $365 or a lower offer is OK in my book. For 300 or so dollars you won’t get perfection. Mine is similar, just has the crazy patina and replacement hands probably. 351 caliber if I recall.

nkb · Nov 3, 2019

Just updated the title as I dont know what ref and cal it is.
Yes I like the look of this one!
If anyone else may have a good idea what case ref this may be then I could google to compare?
Otherwise I will wait for the movement and inside caseback pics!

Henneth · Nov 3, 2019

Might be ref 2577, however those have typically more rounded lugs. You could try your luck googling for 1950s / 1960s Seamaster...

Mac5 · Nov 3, 2019

I don't think it is a bumper. Could be caliber 491. Appears to be a little later time period. Ask him to move it around and feel for the "bump".

nkb · Nov 3, 2019

I have being doing some research and am now pretty sure it is a CK14704 with caliber 591 automatic movement!
Will follow up with confirmation pics of movement and case number.

Spruce · Nov 3, 2019

Although the case has a bumperish look about it, the lugs are a little narrower at the top than I’d expect.
Also, whilst the case back has a nice hippocampus, nearly all the early 50s bumpers I’ve looked at (and that’s not as many as the more experienced OF members) have a plain case back with no hippocampus.
So, please put us out of our misery, get the back opened up and, for better input, show us the movement.
That said, at the price asked, assuming it’s running, $365-400 looks like a good deal.

Spruce · Nov 3, 2019

This is my 1959 with a 591 movement for comparison

nkb · Nov 3, 2019

Spruce
Although the case has a bumperish look about it, the lugs are a little narrower at the top than I’d expect.
Also, whilst the case back has a nice hippocampus, nearly all the early 50s bumpers I’ve looked at (and that’s not as many as the more experienced OF members) have a plain case back with no hippocampus.
So, please put us out of our misery, get the back opened up and, for better input, show us the movement.
That said, at the price asked, assuming it’s running, $365-400 looks like a good deal.

Thanks Spruce! Yeah I would like to put myself out of my misery guessing too!
Seller siad it is running well and keeping good time

Mac5 · Nov 3, 2019

Here is another one....
https://omegaforums.net/threads/help-with-omega-seamaster-cal-591.15998/

nkb · Nov 4, 2019

Hi again.
Still no pictures of the movement and inside caseback despite asking for it🙁

Seller told me it's a ref 14704 with caliber 552 movement.
Is that even possible without it being a Frankenwatch? 😒
OVD says it should have a cal 591

Any good news from anyone or should I keep looking 😁?

nkb · Nov 4, 2019

I found this thread about a 14704 with cal 552

https://omegaforums.net/threads/proud-owner-of-a-seamaster-1961-cal-552.58683/watch-confirm

Spruce · Nov 4, 2019

Well, the choice is yours.

On the one hand, it’s an Omega, it has one of most reliable vintage movements and runs well, it’s very competitively priced and above all, it looks really nice.

I’m a wearer rather that a serious collector and I’d happily buy and wear it.

I suspect you’re not (yet) a serious collector and on that basis it’s probably a good buy.

nkb · Nov 4, 2019

Spruce
Well, the choice is yours.

On the one hand, it’s an Omega, it has one of most reliable vintage movements and runs well, it’s very competitively priced and above all, it looks really nice.

I’m a wearer rather that a serious collector and I’d happily buy and wear it.

I suspect you’re not (yet) a serious collector and on that basis it’s probably a good buy.

I'm not a serious collector just a vintage Omega enthusiast and I agree it would be a great daily wearer!

nkb · Nov 4, 2019

Spruce
Although the case has a bumperish look about it, the lugs are a little narrower at the top than I’d expect.
Also, whilst the case back has a nice hippocampus, nearly all the early 50s bumpers I’ve looked at (and that’s not as many as the more experienced OF members) have a plain case back with no hippocampus.
So, please put us out of our misery, get the back opened up and, for better input, show us the movement.
That said, at the price asked, assuming it’s running, $365-400 looks like a good deal.

Inside caseback and movement pics!

Looks to be in good condition
552 calibre but cant see serial number

I have been doing research and have seen other ref 14704 SC-61 seamasters with cal 552 with the same case manufacturer SGR and all with the number 9 stamped before the reference number.

Most others I have seen are ref 14704 SC-61 with cal 591 but in all cases the 9 is not stamped.

Does anybody know what the stamped 9 means?

I have now bought the watch - great condition and price and lovely looking

se

Spruce · Nov 4, 2019

Looks in nice condition. Enjoy wearing it and see how it runs and at some stage in the next couple of years get it serviced by a local watchmaker, not an OB!
It’s a classic and classy timepiece.

chronoboy64 · Nov 4, 2019

Nice catch, huge congrats 👍
Now you can make yourself an Avatar 😁

Vintage Seamaster automatic- ref 14704 with cal 552- Just bought it for $365

nkb

tikkathree

cristos71

nkb

The Father

nkb

Henneth

Mac5

nkb

Spruce

Spruce

nkb

Mac5

nkb

nkb

Spruce

nkb

nkb

Spruce

chronoboy64

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