mrsnak
4814
A fun Sunday for Snak....
Attended the monthly meeting of my local NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) today. Nice group of real enthusiasts. Had a fun time with the mart beforehand, where I befriended a woman who happened to be selling her dearly departed husband's 1965 501 cal. Seamaster. I saw it as a diamond in the rough. The watch had been serviced, but the caseback was not seated flush to the back. It looked correct except for the second hand. Fortunately, I had the advice of my local watchmaker, Ferdinand across the table (he's also a member and teaches the group) for a second opinion. "No problem", as he popped the caseback off, showed me that all was well, only that someone didn't line it up correctly and press it into place with the pressure necessary. Gorgeously clean movement.
The rest of the program was interesting as the group is very involved with the restoration of clock towers in the area. Though Ventura County, California may not have the history of 1000 year old European towns, the towers clocks built in the founding years of our county's towns held the same function as those hundreds of years earlier. It was how the town told the time of day as they passed by.
The presentation was on one currently in restoration by the chapter in Santa Paula, a town nearby.
I couldn't pass up the Seamaster and picked it up for a song. Here it was after I brought it home:
After a little cleanup and a new strap, it's not looking too poorly. My watchmaker offered to clean up the case and get me a proper second hand. Could also use a new crown as this one is a tad scuffed.
Also picked up a very cool vintage caseback opener and strap tool for a couple bucks! Have more than a few JB Champion bracelets, so I couldn't pass this up!
This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2012-02-19 17:14:54
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A fun Sunday for Snak....
Attended the monthly meeting of my local NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) today. Nice group of real enthusiasts. Had a fun time with the mart beforehand, where I befriended a woman who happened to be selling her dearly departed h...
I'm sure it will scrub up beautifully
A good find and an enjoyable restoration project. Cheers Andrew
Thanks Aroma, it's mainly just the case that needs a little work
... so I should have to do too much to it.
Lovely Seamaster ...
I love to see an old watch when it lands on the proper hands. Congratulations
Thanks! The lady was happy to know...
...that I planned to get it back into shape and keep it.
Nice one!
Doesn't need much for it to look great, it should clean up nicely. Congrats!
Thanks Kyle, it cleaned up well...
but has a few, but deeper scratches on the lug, bezel and caseback side that need more than a buffing wheel. The crystal buffed out nicely, but it may not be an Omega (no logo imprinted), and since it has a couple deep scratches, I may get myself another....
Tip to center hole
Hi Snak. They measure the hands from tip to center hole and looks like you need a 11mm sweep second hand for your Seamaster. Hard to find, I guess. Best.
They seem to be available
Ofrei has them - hands, too. But 11mm seems short. That's what's on the watch now... Genuine Omega Silver Tone Sweep Second Hand 12.7 mm HAN-501
I see that the proper hand length is 11mm...
...mine is 10, just a tad short. :-( You're right about the 11s being rare...
Congratulations on the great catch.
I really like it and am starting to think that I should be hunting for Omega's morenoften. Best regards, George
It's not like I run across them frequently...
...but this was the luck of the moment. Another seller had a fabulous 1950s large gold Tissot that I might have bought had I not seen and committed to this one first. The good thing is that I know that seller, and he'd hold it for me if I wanted. I'm more...
Good story. I wish there was an educational gathering like that...
...in my country. Congratulations on this chance acquisition. Ruckdee
No watchmaking/collecting associations in your country?
The NAWCC is a pretty vibrant national group here in the US. Probably more hobbiest watchmakers than collectors (a lot of retired guys with clocks), but very active in education and preservation. This message has been edited by mrsnak on 2012-02-21 08:23:...
I know what's going to be on your wrist . . .
. . . this week when we meet up for lunch! I'll wear one of mine, too . . .
very nice Mrsnak
you've also given me another calibre to look out for as i didnt realise the 501 was available for that period. i thought it was much older than that. if it was made for 65 then it must be available for 64. the hunt will be on once i've sorted some other t...
I'm going to double check the serial today...
...the caseback is on pretty tight, but will be visiting my watchmaker today. I was surprised to hear this was from '65, too. It appears to be an earlier CK 2921.
Confirmed the watch model today...
Had the back off at my watchmaker's. 2846-2848 ISC from 1955 or so (145xxxxxx). Dr. No was there with me and we figured that my seller probably remembered her husband getting the watch then....
Didn't want to be an enabler ;-)
I am quite pleased that this is an earlier 501. While Dr. No & and chatted him, the watchmaker put the watch on his scope and determined that there were some lubrication issues, which he fixed on the spot. Probably should do a real service on it, but very...
I think so.
Yes, it's general rules that Omega Crystal has embossed logo on it, (even the ones from China with split tension ring. I have an older Seamaster which has a logo on it, Hope you can see....
Omega started putting the logos...
... on the crystals sometime around 1950. Some of the very early bumper movement watches might still have original crystals without a logo. Also, I'm not sure if the US-cased gold-filled and 14K models would have originally come with logo crystals, since ...
Thanks Hoi & Gator...
Knew the logo crystals went back to the 50s, just didn't know if all were done this way. Also was not aware of the Chinese fakes, but I guess it was inevitable with Omega not making genuine parts easy to get these day.