Hello forum! I'm new to watches and I recently received an old Seamaster (60's?) Could you please have a look and tell me what you think about it? Do it look genuine to you? Also, what year do you think this could be? I saw lots of vintage seamasters, but the pointy needles puzzle me, as I've only seen them on DeVille's or regular Seamasters WITHOUT date. The steel of the casing seems high-end, there is the omega logo engraved on the winder. If you need better photos, tell me. Thanks a lot !
If by "pointy needles" you mean the hands, they're actually called alpha style. These did come on Seamasters occasionally so they might be original, or they might be replacements. Can't say for sure either way. The crystal might be a replacement too but that's a normal wear item. The watch looks authentic. I'm pretty sure it's a 166.002 with a caliber 562 inside from sometime between 1962 and 1967.
here are other pictures. I'd like to open it to see the mechanism, but I don't have the required tools. what's the difference between a Seamaster DeVille and a regular Seamaster, btw? thanks !
the calendar is indeed not working. The arms are not aligned too: look at the position for 3 o'clock... I guess it needs maintenance ;-)
Some Seamasters have beefier lugs, Seamaster De Ville's lugs are thin, always. (If you take another close up pic without flash, I can tell you more )
one more thing: the sweep second hand moves by small "hops" each 1/3s or so, and doesn't have a smooth (i.e. continuous) movement. Is this normal for a 562 mechanism ?
Well, there are some small differences. SMDV's usually came in front loading cases where the bezel and crystal need to come off, the winding stem split, and then the dial & movement come out the front. Your caseback unscrews and you can see the movement easily if you have the correct tool. However, there were some Seamasters that came in the front loading cases too, usually before 1963 when the DE VILLE was added but not always. The word DE VILLE was added for the US market. Other than that, the same movements, dials, hands, and case metals were used. It should stutter a little. It 'ticks' at 19,800 beats per hour which equates to 5.5 times a second, and since the watch probably needs a service the stutter will be a bit more noticeable. The tension might also need adjusting on the spring for the second hand pinion.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kil6vfpycexsek7/Vidéo 28-01-14 16 43 20.mov here is a little video showing the sweep second hand in movement. Your thoughts ?
Not easy to see it for a good length of time since you keep moving around...but it looks normal to me. Cheers, Al
Here are some other (better quality) pictures sorry I don't have a macro lens. I've also made a small video I'll post on dropbox for you to review the sweep second hand movement. https://www.dropbox.com/s/zgxcj76s8kwxicn/00000.mov
Okay, what more is it that you're looking for? We identified the watch, and made a couple guesses about it needing a part or a service. Don't get me wrong, the better pictures are appreciated - but is there another question?
OK it was just to be sure it was authentic. Maybe I'll have a look at the mechanism next time I have it serviced. Thanks for your hints !