Community Stories

Was looking for 1965 birth year example, but think I purchased a 1950s model 2577.

RMcCarthy
Posts
8
Likes
4
HI, new to collecting vintage watches and eager to learn. Purchased this Omega Seamaster while in London last month. I was told 1960s' but I think it's 1950s 2577. I'd love to find an original seahorse caseback, although it think the current back is genuine Omega, I'm pretty sure it's a service version. I'd love to hear people's opinions of it. As I was looking for a 1965 model I guess I'm still looking for one...which means I get to buy another 😀. Probably look for a Constellation with a pie pan dial and take more time than I did on this more impulsive purchase. Thanks

IMG_5711.webp IMG_5714.webp IMG_5580.webp IMG_5583.webp IMG_5581.webp
 
Spruce
Posts
8,517
Likes
70,277
Well, I hope that you didn’t pay too much although, if you can return it, you should.

The photos are very poor but from what I can see, it is definitely a 1950 movement and a 1950 model so, if you were sold it as 1965, then you have a basis for returning it.

Secondly, notwithstanding the poor photos, I’m almost certain that the dial has been poorly repainted at some stage - probably some time ago. So, if it was sold to you as having an original dial, then another basis for a return.

And the movement looks mucky and unserviced.

When this watch was originally produced, although it was/is a Seamaster, ‘Seamaster' was not written on the dial.

This is my 2577 for comparison

IMG_2453.webp

You might also find this thread interesting

https://omegaforums.net/threads/show-us-your-2577-omega-seamaster-and-a-little-introduction-to-the-reference.153541/ Cover Image
Thread 'Show us your 2577 Omega Seamaster (and a little introduction to the reference)' ·
To the mods: I have to split this up in 2-3 posts, otherwise I get an error before I can hit "Create Thread", apologies for that.

"Too long, didn't read": A little introduction to the...
MtV ·

Finally, next time you find a watch, check it out here BEFORE you buy it. Good luck.
 
Dan S
Posts
24,000
Likes
53,340
Regardless of the year, I was hoping to see a nice watch, because the 2577 is a great reference, but then the repainted dial made me sad.

For 1965, you probably want a 22M serial. Personally, I think it's better to focus on a broader period of time, e.g. mid-60s, find a reference made in that era that you like, and hunt down a good example. Limiting yourself to a particular year just leads to frustration and compromise.
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
Posts
13,267
Likes
18,286
Dan S Dan S
Limiting yourself to a particular year just leads to frustration and compromise.
Not to mention that watches usually take 1-3 years to sell at retail once a serial number is assigned to a movement.

Best you can do is get some old catalogs to see what models were current in a particular year.

www.old-omegas.com

gatorcpa
 
MtV
Posts
3,389
Likes
13,171
Welcome aboard.

No such thing as a seahorse caseback for a 2577. Yours isn’t a service version, it’s simply correct - check the link provided by @Spruce to find an overview of all legit casebacks for 2577s.

Buckle on yours looks like it’s a counterfeit by the way.

Regardless, don’t let this frustrate you too much. Can still be a nice watch on the wrist and you’ve learned a lesson for the next hunt!
 
padders
Posts
10,390
Likes
16,264
There are many variations of S in early Seamasters and without much better photos I wouldn’t be quite so quick to call that a redial without closer study. There are worrying signs though such as the apparent misalignment of track and indices but it’s not a slam dunk to me. It’s at least 13 years off 1965 but not necessarily a basket case.
 
hoipolloi
Posts
3,741
Likes
6,357
If you look for a 1965 Seamaster with Seahorse on back, you have 166.010 and 165.010 to look at. The first one is powered by a 562 with date, the other is 552 no date.
Screenshot_20260202_154039_Gallery.webp
 
RMcCarthy
Posts
8
Likes
4
Dan S Dan S
Regardless of the year, I was hoping to see a nice watch, because the 2577 is a great reference, but then the repainted dial made me sad.

For 1965, you probably want a 22M serial. Personally, I think it's better to focus on a broader period of time, e.g. mid-60s, find a reference made in that era that you like, and hunt down a good example. Limiting yourself to a particular year just leads to frustration and compromise.
Thanks Dan, a few respondents have suggested a repainted dial. For my education, what are the signs to look for and that you see in my photos that show its repainted?
 
Passover
Posts
2,122
Likes
2,903
padders padders
There are many variations of S in early Seamasters and without much better photos I wouldn’t be quite so quick to call that a redial without closer study.
This! Could you please post a dial only, large picture with good lighting? Like the one you took of the inner caseback?
 
Dan S
Posts
24,000
Likes
53,340
RMcCarthy RMcCarthy
Thanks Dan, a few respondents have suggested a repainted dial. For my education, what are the signs to look for and that you see in my photos that show its repainted?
The printing is misaligned and uses incorrect fonts. It is more obvious when you have seen thousands of dials over many years.
 
RMcCarthy
Posts
8
Likes
4
Passover Passover
This! Could you please post a dial only, large picture with good lighting? Like the one you took of the inner caseback?

View recent photos.webp IMG_5724.webp
 
Passover
Posts
2,122
Likes
2,903
To me the dial looks good, other people here are much more knowledgeable for this reference so wait for more feedback...
 
padders
Posts
10,390
Likes
16,264
On balance, while there are certainly quirky features there, I too think it original. There is so much variation in the 2577 that it is unwise IMO to jump to a conclusion either way too quickly. This model more than any other demonstrates the saying that you should 'never say never' when it comes to Omega.
 
Spruce
Posts
8,517
Likes
70,277
Perhaps we need some input from @gatorcpa who has previously posted opinions and adverts showing early Seamasters.

I had understood that although Seamasters were an Omega brand from the very late 1940s, it wasn’t until 1951/1952 at the earliest that Omega started printing ‘ Seamaster' on the dials of their range of Seamasters.
 
padders
Posts
10,390
Likes
16,264
This watch's movement serial is way after the SM text started appearing, about half a million in serials and a year later roughly. Take a look at the table in Post 1 of MtV's thread you linked to earlier, you'll see about 15 examples with SM text with lower serials than this.
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
Posts
13,267
Likes
18,286
I’d ideally like to see the Seamaster script without the hands covering it up.

But if you made me take a side with only the available information, I’d have to say original.

To the OP, can you also post a picture of the movement showing the balance wheel? I’m looking for something on the bridge which will help determine if the dial goes with the movement.
gatorcpa
 
5 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Viklikestheclick

I found the omega I was looking for, but is she worth it?

Viklikestheclick Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
optsdan
optsdan
Posts
8
Views
1K