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

tdn-dk · Nov 4, 2019

Should be a cal. 591

nkb · Nov 5, 2019

chronoboy64
Nice catch, huge congrats 👍
Now you can make yourself an Avatar 😁

Thanks. Yes I will get an Avatar now😀

nkb · Nov 5, 2019

tdn-dk
Should be a cal. 591

That was my concern as to why there is a 552 inside.

But as I said before I have seen other examples on the internet with cal 552 inside and all the cases are SGR cases with the slightly misaligned 9 stamped before the reference.

And all the examples with 591 inside do not have the 9 before the reference.

Could this then be a known manufacturer variation?
Both 552 and 591 were in existence around 1961 and it is known that there were lots of variations in Seamasters around that time.

Does anybody have any knowledge about this?

nkb · Nov 5, 2019

nkb
That was my concern as to why there is a 552 inside.

But as I said before I have seen other examples on the internet with cal 552 inside and all the cases are SGR cases with the slightly misaligned 9 stamped before the reference.

And all the examples with 591 inside do not have the 9 before the reference.

Could this then be a known manufacturer variation?
https://omegaforums.net/threads/proud-owner-of-a-seamaster-1961-cal-552.58683/watch-confirmBoth 552 and 591 were in existence around 1961 and it is known that there were lots of variations in Seamasters around that time.

Does anybody have any knowledge about this?

Please refer to this old thread for an example of 14704 with cal 552

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

nkb · Nov 5, 2019

Sorry to trouble but does anybody have knowledge of this 'anomaly' ?

Could it be an original factory variation or was the original movement swopped at some stage?

Although I'm not a serious collector I still value originality even at this price!
I haven't received it yet and can still reverse the purchase.

Thanks to all who have assisted

tdn-dk · Nov 5, 2019

552 and 591 are two different movement models and have different size (height) so for me it makes no sense if it was a factory option, and the database shows only 591. For me it is a movement swop.

Normally if there are two movement options it is in the same movement series like 562 and the later 565 or 561 and 564.

nkb · Nov 5, 2019

tdn-dk
552 and 591 are two different movement models and have different size (height) so for me it makes no sense if it was a factory option, and the database shows only 591. For me it is a movement swop.

Normally if there are two movement options it is in the same movement series like 562 and the later 565 or 561 and 564.

Thanks for your values opinion.

Did you look at the old thread (link above) showing the same 'anomaly' ? Does that mean the watch in that thread also had the movement swooped?

And is it a coincidence that "my' watch and the watch in the link have the number 9 stamped before and slightly above the 14704 ref whereas in all 591 examples the 9 is absent?

Vintage omega research can be tiring and frustrating at times🤔

nkb · Nov 6, 2019

tdn-dk
552 and 591 are two different movement models and have different size (height) so for me it makes no sense if it was a factory option, and the database shows only 591. For me it is a movement swop.

Normally if there are two movement options it is in the same movement series like 562 and the later 565 or 561 and 564.

The number 9 stamped before the reference 14704 is possibly due to "manufacture error" according to one source I could find.
My theory would be that at some point in the manufacturing process 552 movements were put in 14704 cases instead of the designated 591 movements and the 9 was stamped afterwards to record these "mistakes".

Of all the examples I have seen the majority (90%) are cal 591 with the normal 14704 reference in the case and 10% (3 examples) are cal 552 with the 9 14704 reference in the case. And , of course, these "mistakes" would not be registered in the OVD.

If my theory is right then I would have a rare combination of 14704 case with 24 jewel cal 552 movement!

This post is in no way meant to convince anyone or myself, for that you can decide for yourself.
I just wanted to use this example (case) for the benefit of all in the event that another example like this ever comes up!😀