Community Stories

What's wrong with bumper automatic movements?

MSNWatch
Posts
6,665
Likes
11,565
I have a special fondness for bumpers - a large part of their appeal for me compared to the full rotor movements is that the bumpers were associated with a much greater variety of dial variations compared to the era of full rotor movements. In my observation at least when it came to Omega when full rotors came about there was a large decrease in dial options associated with this change.
 
Tet
Posts
1,689
Likes
5,128
DON DON
Bumpers are not as efficient as full rotors when it comes to winding, but one of it's charms is the bumping motion of the movement. When I had mine. I would just rock my wrist back and forth just to feel the bumping motion.

Number of bumper movement parts are discontinued, but many of the movements used a number of the same parts. A part here or there may be more difficult to find, but not a life long search

DON

I have to admit I've always wanted one in large part to the above mentioned charm. I've never set about buying a watch with bumper, but it would be a big bonus if I one day buy a watch I like that contains one. I guess the Omegas tend to have more of a knock than most other brands that seem to contain damper springs? I love that "knack, knack" sound of the bumper Omegas, have never heard another brand to compare.
 
cristos71
Posts
7,899
Likes
35,847
TNTwatch TNTwatch
Never heard of the 352/354 Connies were considerably less valued the the 500 counterparts. Most likely the differences are due to condition. In my list, the 352 is the top and the 504 is second. Everything else is third in the vintage Connies collectible world.

No I've never valued a 352/354 less than a full rotor 500 series either.

In fact I'd say there are collector's who actively seek out bumper calibre Constellations, as during this period there are a lot more dial variation to be found
 
Canuck
Posts
15,460
Likes
45,793
I have five bumper automatic wind movements by three different movement manufacturers, and it seems to me that the “bump” created when the rotors hit the rebound springs sounds pretty much the same on all of them, to me. A small sample, I know.
 
noelekal
Posts
6,646
Likes
52,220
I know little about the mechanics of bumpers and assume that they are less efficient, butI like bumpers and have good luck with the ones I have on hand. Mine don't run down if I wear them all day for several days straight.

The dial is not in the best of condition but this 1949 vintage 351 is very accurate and has been trouble-free after it was rehab'd, an undertaking that was not costly. The dial's ability to change hues depending on light and the angle is pretty dramatic. I love the numeral markers.





Another Ebay pig-in-a-poke picked up and rehab'd for cheap, this 1954 vintage automatic with 344 movement. Both my Omega bumpers are among the most reliably accurate watches I have here. Of course they don't see hard daily use, but they've been fine for several years now.

 
JwRosenthal
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,994
Tet Tet
I have to admit I've always wanted one in large part to the above mentioned charm. I've never set about buying a watch with bumper, but it would be a big bonus if I one day buy a watch I like that contains one. I guess the Omegas tend to have more of a knock than most other brands that seem to contain damper springs? I love that "knack, knack" sound of the bumper Omegas, have never heard another brand to compare.
The Gruen bumpers are awesome and were my gateway drug back in college-they can usually be had in running condition for around $50-100. Parts are plentiful (so many donors out there), and they were very well made (stainless cases, "waterproof" screw backs, beautiful dials with radium lume). They tend to be on the smallish size (30-33) but there were a few in the 34mm range so be careful about sizing. Look for "Switzerland" on the dial as opposed to "Ra-Swiss-Ra/Swiss made". The Switzerland labeled ones are earlier, pre-buyout which was around 1958 I believe. Their later full rotor watches are excellent values as well FYI.

2B28BB8A-84EE-4006-906E-8D8FD5194A89.jpeg
 
VetPsychWars
Posts
2,326
Likes
1,884
The infamous Seamaster Calendar date at 6 is a bumper. Early ones caliber 353, later caliber 355, which I've seen in an Omega document only referenced as "improved". Be nice to know what exactly was improved.

I like date at 6 bumpers enough to have two of them but I prefer a rotor of some type overall, and have a 502 as well.

Tom
 
VetPsychWars
Posts
2,326
Likes
1,884
Canuck Canuck
I have an Omega caliber 355, date at 6:00. Sure it is far more inconvenient to re-set the calendar than modern quick-set calendar watches, but how is the 353 caliber the “worst”, or worse than a caliber 355, may I ask?

The 355 is an improved version of the 353, so I guess it is worse in that case. The calendar mechanism isn't well respected, either, being easy to break.

Tom
 
TNTwatch
Posts
2,876
Likes
1,962
Canuck Canuck
I have an Omega caliber 355, date at 6:00. Sure it is far more inconvenient to re-set the calendar than modern quick-set calendar watches, but how is the 353 caliber the “worst”, or worse than a caliber 355, may I ask?
I meant it as a joke. But if you don't like my joke then the 355 does have a notable advancement in the balance cock assembly, so it is a better movement than the 353. 😁
 
hoipolloi
Posts
3,742
Likes
6,359
Canuck Canuck
how is the 353 caliber the “worst”, or worse than a caliber 355, may I ask?
353 did not have swanneck adjuster.
 
Spruce
Posts
8,615
Likes
71,213
This really is an insidious thread!! 😡

I’ve been enjoying wearing my 591 cal all day - relaxed and stress-free - even posting it on WRUW - but after catching this ear worm of a thread am heading up to switch to my 354.

This must stop!!! I’m too suggestible🙁
 
CaptainWinsor
Posts
1,986
Likes
3,558
STANDY STANDY
Plenty of great bumper movements that are sought after by many here. To write off bumpers would be crazy in my book.....
9AEB3EEE-DD22-489D-88F0-AD2D9F166FF7.jpeg 68C8B577-CB8B-4369-BE1B-581CAED7E6E8.jpeg

That is sweet!! Drop the mic
 
Canuck
Posts
15,460
Likes
45,793
So many nice bumper automatics in this thread. I have tried to resist uploading images of any of mine yet again, but my itchy figure has got the best of me. Three of them, anyway.

9367A502-CAB4-4F03-8170-238C11B09A66.jpeg D0EDEF0D-F3EB-4F29-98E2-17FAE68349C3.jpeg C86FD90E-628F-4D62-A884-675EF0EB62D9.jpeg
 
VetPsychWars
Posts
2,326
Likes
1,884
Your 2627, does it have a US case at 11/16? Looks like a USA-made aftermarket bracelet?

Tom
 
Canuck
Posts
15,460
Likes
45,793
VetPsychWars VetPsychWars
Your 2627, does it have a US case at 11/16? Looks like a USA-made aftermarket bracelet?

Tom

I think you were replying to my post showing three bumper automatics of mine. My caliber 355, date at six Omega spent 50 years in a box of Omega bumper automatics, having been dismantled. There was no case for it. When I discovered it, I gathered all the pieces (none missing), and put it together. I included a picture of the assembled movement on the OB, mentioning that I didn’t have a case. Member from Madrid sent me a PM that he had bought two 2627 cases from Watchco, and only used one of them. He offered his spare, and I bought it. Voila, a completed watch. An American case? Could be, I don’t know. Anyway, I ❤️ the watch.

I later discovered in my stash, the case shown on the second Omega in my post. I had acquired a basket case Omega caliber 351 with a ruined gold shell case. From my stash of Omega bumper automatic parts, I found a better dial, and all the bits I needed to assemble the second Omega. Might be this is the original case for the 355. Dunno.
Edited:
 
14 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Knebo

Opinions on this CK 2576 with bumper movement

Knebo Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Knebo
Knebo
Posts
18
Views
666
Heur_2442

What is the best automatic movement

Heur_2442 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
ConElPueblo
ConElPueblo
Posts
21
Views
13K
Pascal S

American Made - When Elgin made watches with a US automatic movement

Pascal S Other Watch Brands Forum
Waltesefalcon
Waltesefalcon
Posts
39
Views
8K
V

What's wrong with my JLC Reverso 270.1.54 and what to do?

Vizard High-end Watches
Larry S
Larry S
Posts
21
Views
3K
iamvr

Omega ref. 2517-2 with bumper chronometer cal. 352 - €1350

iamvr Private Watch Sales
iamvr
iamvr
Posts
2
Views
6K
ClawHammer

69 Speedmaster - what’s wrong with the bracelet?

ClawHammer Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Kigro
Kigro
Posts
11
Views
966