If I was looking to buy an Omega, that matched my year of birth (as per title) what would you recommend as a economical buy. My preference would always be for a; non-date, stainless, simple dial and no square ones - watches should be round! This is theoretical as I've yet to go down the collectors route.
Paul

 

I would recommend a classic Seamaster like the one below from 1956:

 

Omega made plenty of round, stainless, simple watches in the 1950s. The challenge will be pinning a year to a watch. The SN charts are a decent guide but are only accurate to within +/- 2 years or more. Omega hadn't adopted the practice of adding the model year to the reference number in 1956, either. So you could look for a watch with an Extract showing a 1956 production date, but a) they don't come up for sale often with Extracts and b) the ones that do are probably not going to be economical buys. Meaning not inexpensive, though possibly worth the price...

What I would do is seek out a 1956 Omega ad or catalog online, and pick out your favorite reference that was available that year, then look for it and not worry if it was actually produced in 1956 or if the serial number is right on a table.

 

Early 16 to mid 16 mil serial number, I have a beautiful Connie from '56 and nothing beats a pie pan, that was a particularly good time for connies too! They had my favorite combination of pie pan and bullhorn lugs, with arrowhead and crosshairs! If you can find one, you won't want for another watch! Or the railroad connies are great too! Expect to pay around two grand for a good one, but deals are to be had.

 

Is that based on an extract for the watch? I have 1956 as a lower serial range than that. I would estimate it in the low-mid 15m range, possibly even high 14m. I have seen low 16m serials with extracts as late as Dec 1958.

 

Sorry I meant 15mil not 16.. Sorry is hard to keep track.. Mine is 15.4 or somewhere in there.

 

Seamaster is certainly what I was initially thinking, but I've always liked that range so usually take an interest in those, just trying to broaden my knowledge into other collections - breaking my simple dial rule, I suppose if money was no object, I'd go hunting for what Omega calls the Seamaster, Speedmaster CK 2915, even though I think it's a '57 really. Searching through the threads on OF this did catch my eye, but when I was looking at these I was just comparing Seamasters against my rather poor ST 145.0029. Perhaps I should just start a themed collection of Seamaster Chronographs one from each decade starting in the 50's - got one, 6 more to go then .
Paul

 

Absolutely. This one of mine's 1956 according to the serial numbers table and if I could only keep one vintage Omega, this would be it. The difficulty is finding one and then it won't be cheap, but you could argue it's economical if it saves you buying a load more vintage Omegas (though it doesn't seem to have worked for me...)

 

Honestly I can't say I like the Pie Pan face, I know plenty seem to really rate it, but does nothing for me.
Paul

 

Perhaps what you need is a catalog. This one is from 1955, and you can access it here:
http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2016/03/omega-norman-morris-catalogue-1955.html

 

Superb, many thanks for the link.
Paul

 

Or, if the year is more important to you than the brand or model, you could cast an eye at Longines. Their archival service is free, so you can check the date of manufacture before you purchase.

 

What are your preferences on center seconds vs. sub-seconds? Do you have a preference for silver-colored hands and dial furniture, or do you like gold or rose-gold hands and applied markers in a SS case? Any preferences about the type of markers (arabic numerals, roman numerals, stick markers, arrow markers, etc.)? Do you have limitations about the case size? Lume or no-lume? Preferred style of hands? Manual-winding or automatic?

Just trying to help you nail down your style since there are a lot of options.

 

+1 to a classic 3 hander old seamaster! omega typically was 34mm at this time era though if I'm not mistaken... it's a little more expensive to go the oversized omegas of this time era, but theyre pretty stunning! (37 and 38mm models)

Vintage caliber gets some amazing pieces in, but is pretty expensive:

https://vintagecaliber.com/collections/all/products/1950-omega-ref-2506-2-jumbo-lnos

 

Gold can work too IMO. This is a Seamaster 2846 in 18K from 1956-7, a smidge under 35mm and pretty chunkily built so wears well, not really like a typical dress watch of the era:

 

Understood, we all like different things and it's not compusory!

 

Centre Second hand, any coloured hands as long as they are easy to read in contrast to the face, luminous, plain baton or slim arrow markers, auto preferred, but manual OK manual - for a modern current production watch it would be the Railmaster.

Paul

 

I'm having enough trouble navigating my way around one marque at the moment
Paul

 

That in Stainless Steel would be nice, though doesn't look to bad in gold!
Paul