Omega

Since this appears to be a week for non-diving Seamasters,  I thought I'd  join the party with what I believe is a 1959 model and entirely original

I just opened the package today on this one and I am quite pleased.   Even on the smallest setting the beads of rice bracelet is too big for me , so I have to decide whether to wear it loose or risk taking out a few links.   

I do have a couple of quick questions for our esteemed moderator and other cognoscenti.   Thanks in advance for your help

The seller states and provided photos that the movement is a cal. 502 rather than a cal. 503, which is more common.   What does this mean, if anything?

All photos I have seen of the 2849 have the word "CALENDAR " underneath the Seamaster, including the advertisement shown below.     Mine does not.  I have looked over the dial with a magnifying glass (I don't yet own a loupe) and it is  evenly (and very slightly) pitted and does not appear redone at all.    I know there is a lot of variation in dials, so is there any reason to assume that dial is not original just because of the missing word?

Ginger

A timeless piece...

It seems contagious, when you see Art's posts about the GO Sixties or the Vintage Connie, and now, you and this beautiful SM!

Will try to post something quite soon, in the same category, if I have time, which is a bit rare, these days...

Best, and Thanks!

Nicolas

Hi Ginger,

don´t worry about the missing word "Calendar" - this is quite common! 

I rather would worry about the Cal. 502 movement - as this Ref. should have a Cal. 503 inside...

Have you ever tried to confirm (opened the back)? Can you post an image? Maybe a mistake of the seller?

If you look up Ref.2849 on the Omega official website you will find the info.

But the Omega website is not always perfect and complete - sometimes there are slight mistakes or something is missing (as I have experienced).

The best way to ease your mind was an extract from the archive though.

Or maybe Bill can chime in and tell us what he knows - maybe he knows more about...

I hope I could help a litte...

kind regards

Erich

I don't think it has been swapped out.   At first I thought the same as you, a typo, but the seller's pic clearly shows 502.  The Omega vintage website doesn't even list the cal 502 in the drop down menu, but it did exist - 17 j being the principal distinguishing feature from the 503.   

Just one of those little curiosities.   I'll take it to my watch guy in a couple of weeks and snap a photo of the movement for myself when I decide what to do with the band.

Thanks.

 

These older Omegas are timeless, aren't they?  I was recently looking at old pie-pan dial Constellations and thinking, "I'd like a nice, clean example of that..."

Enjoy the new watch.  It looks great!

Cheers,
Daos

shame about the strap. i'd take links out if you have the tools. case looks to be in great condition as does the dial. would be nice to see the movement.

i had the 'calendar' with date at 6 in gold cap. thats the one that should always have the word calender on it.

enjoy

Graham

Same dial colour and indices as Ginger's. Though with the date at 6 (as you say) and a bumper 353 auto.

Screw case back with no seaghorse, though. It has a generic replacement crown, it the original per Gingers or some other design?

..appears to be a combination of yours (date at 6) with the same indices as Ginger's as opposed to your numerals.

I am still not used to how long the hands are on these. I wear it most weeks, so should be used to it.

I had been looking for an early Connie with Arrowhead markers, and frankly just can't justify the coin right now for a clean example.        I almost ended up with one with an orange (probably more corrosion than patina) dial but was outbid.    

G    

. . . warm regards from So Cal, Art

Love that Constellation, in particular.  I came very close to pulling the trigger on a Conquest reissue with rose gold arrow markers last year.  Your vintage Conquest brings that to mind, and is a fantastic looker.

All my best,
Daos

hi Ginger,

the dial, hour marks, winding crown, caseback etc look okay to me.

so far , to my knowledge, seamaster ref.2849 cal 503 should have "calendar" printed on dial at the 6 olcok position.

one worry thing (as also pointed out by others) is that omega does not have cal 502 movement. 

suggest to bring the watch to watch watcher and ask him to open the caseback and check whether what are the  ref. no. and movement model no.  printed on the inside caseback and movement respectively.

anyway, cal 503 is a very good movement which is the first movement with "quick date setting" in omega!

stefan

Hello Ginger. I sold you this watch. I have some info on the 502 calibre, I've attached some information I had found on it soon after I bought this watch. I'm very glad you like it, it's apparently rarer than I thought. Sad part of the story is I sold this watch, and a TAG, to finance an Aqua Terra I bought on eBay from a reputable seller, but unfortunately that watch arrived with serial numbers erased. I returned it and am now waiting for my refund. Enjoy it, it's a keeper.

C -

And best of luck with the hunt for the Aqua Terra.

Our correspondence reminds me that I need to drive  up Montreal (when it gets warmer)  for some  good Greek food and a Cuban cigar!! 

G

Just thought this would be useful to those interested.