Omega Watches
Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega pioneered a huge range of innovations. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as its official timekeepers for its pilots. Again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the ’50s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over these years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster to space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Description
Here we have a wonderful early Omega Seamaster Calendar in 14ct yellow gold with the first non-bumper, full rotor automatic movement, from 1955. This watch has a very fine heavyweight 34mm case and carries the original Calibre 503 automatic movement. Omega Seamaster watches have always been highly regarded for their accuracy and dependability so these are considered one of the most practical everyday vintage watches one can buy.
The Dial
This is the classic Omega Seamaster dial of the 1950s with mixed applied gilt ‘spearhead’ hour indices along with ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’ standard Arabic numerals, matched with the original and unrestored ‘Dauphine’ hands, all of which look wonderful against the gold case. The superb, completely original, unrestored and untouched silver dial has some beautiful signs of ageing, due to the unique conidition of the dial we have decided to leave it alone to retain charm and originality. The dial is typical of the 1950s – effortlessly classic, elegant and stylish and just the kind of style which never dates.
As this is a Seamaster Calendar, a date window at 3 is delicately framed in gilt, to finish the classic 1950s design.
The dial is signed with an applied gilt Omega brand, with ‘Omega’, ‘Automatic’, below, ‘Seamaster’ and ‘Calendar’, with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom.
As mentioned above, this dial is original and unrestored and has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however we decided in this case to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.
Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.
The Movement
This beautiful watch carries the super high grade calibre 503, 20 jewel automatic movement which is in sparkling condition. The Omega Cal.503 is the ‘Date’ version of the Cal.505. Each is considered to be Omega’s first full rotor automatic movement since they are of the same family. This movement was also used in the top of the line Omega Constellation and is so highly efficient, with a 46 hour power reserve, that once set and on your wrist you will never need to wind it even if you leave it on the bedside table over the weekend. Indeed the 500 series has proven over time to be the most precise and indeed the most celebrated movement series in the history of the Omega company. The success of the series 500 owes much to its tremendous reliability and a number of ingenious developments surrounding the self-winding mechanism.
This very high-grade beryllium-bronze movement is, as can be seen, in totally pristine condition. The movement has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker and is calibrated to run arrow straight within +10 seconds / day! We have checked the test results on our electronic watch time-grapher and therefore have no reservations in providing 12 months written warranty with this watch.
The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Swiss’ along with the calibre 503 and carries the serial number 14893569, dating this watch to 1955.
Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Case
An early Omega Seamaster in such fine condition as this is a rare thing in the vintage watch market, especially in 14ct gold. This very lightly polished, large and noticeably heavy 14ct solid gold case with very solid swept-back lugs measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the correct, early Omega signed crown.
The case is in amazing condition showing no signs of wear visible to the naked eye and even under a loupe it is very hard to fault. Prior to 1959 Omega did not sign there case back with the Seamaster motif, as can be seen this case back is stunning and has never been inscribed.
The case back is of full-thickness and has never been inscribed. Inside case-back all is correct and as expected: signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’ and with the Omega model Reference 2849 SC along with the case serial number 104689 and Swiss Geneva 14ct hallmarks.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap & Buckle
A high quality black leather watch strap has been fitted with a matching gold-plated Omega buckle which we feel finishes this watch perfectly. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry Tan, Conker, Dark Brown and Black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their wonderful range of 18mm straps if you wish here.
Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1955.
Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.
This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box as shown in the photographs.
Payment and Delivery
If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.
As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.
In Conclusion
This is a superb example of the iconic Omega Seamaster Calendar automatic dress watch with the Cal.503 movement which is of a very high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Indeed, when new this watch would have cost more than the equivalent Rolex of its day. Omega Seamaster watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this watch means the value will always remain strong. This watch will also make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though vintage Omega prices have risen markedly recently, we feel fine examples such as this still remain undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches expands, availability will become more limited, so prices are surely destined to climb ever higher!
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
