Dr No
[Moderator Omega - Wristscan]
36397
It looked as though 2012 was going to be a dry year . . .
. . . but I just found an interesting Omega locally that couldn't be passed up.
'56 14k gold-filled Seamaster Calendar . . .
[pics taken with crystal removed]
. . . American issue (Norman M Morris Corp).
The movement is a 17 jewel cal 502 . . .
. . . in need of attention, starting with the rotor bearing (fortunately, my watchmaker has spares). All it needs is a new crystal and correct crown, as far as I (and my watchmaker) can tell. The hour hand has deteriorated to the point where the yellow gold plating has worn off, but I'm inclined to leave it as is.
Let's see what 2013 brings!
Art
It looked as though 2012 was going to be a dry year . . .
. . . but I just found an interesting Omega locally that couldn't be passed up. '56 14k gold-filled Seamaster Calendar . . . [pics taken with crystal removed] . . . American issue (Norman M Morris Corp). The movement is a 17 jewel cal 502 . . . . . . in n...
Congratulations ...
It's hard to find, here, a piece like yours untouched by dirty hands. Just a note: we have one more month in 2012 and, for me, December is the "deal month". Cheers, Nilo
This Seamaster belonged to . . .
. . . a gentleman who recently passed away. He was, according to his granddaughter, the original owner; it was his "good watch" for special occasions, and you can tell it was serviced frequently, even though it's a bit disheveled now. One of the advantage...
Congrats Art!
I love these original black dials...recently this one has been my favorite. :-) ...
If it had been a white dial in that condition . . .
. . . I probably wouldn't have pulled the trigger, Kyle. It's a far cry from, say, Thomas's specimen posted further down in this thread. The original black dial is what sealed the deal. Cordially, Art PS - I was referring to the condition of my latest acq...
Oh...
... I like that too... Magnificent ! Long time no see, it seems... I should wander around this great forum more often...
Hard to believe this is the . . .
. . . only watch of the year, Ed. The last one, also a vintage Omega, entered my collection in October 2011, so it's been precisely a year since the last acquisition. Here's hoping 2013 will be a better year! Art
Congrats Dr....
A little cosmetic effort and this watch will be good. Awaits later pics. :) Best to you. Ed
I don't think there will be much in the way . . .
. . . of cosmetic alterations, Ed. The watch has aged pretty much consistently, so an alteration in one place would lead to discontinuities elsewhere. A complete revamping would still come off as odd because of the aged dial. The tough part will be the cr...
Well, the way my watchmaker works . . .
. . . it very well might be 2014 before it's done. I'm not exaggerating: my IWC was sent in for service in August 2011, and still not back yet. Yes, it was on my wrist briefly, but there were inexplicable timing issues that haven't been sorted out. I don'...
Congrats...
Love these Calendars, but have never found a org. black dial so i have to settle with a white dial Best Thomas ...
Thanks, Thomas. I'm guessing yours . . .
. . . is fitted with a cal 503, as opposed to the cal 502 in mine. I wonder if there's documentation about these American issue Omegas. I'd like to know how many were created under the aegis of Norman Morris. Cordially, Art
Her younger brother says hello
This is one of my old faithfuls, also with a cal 502, but a few years younger. I ordinarily don't care for cyclops, but on this one it fits. Canadian origin. Best to you Art - hope you get to enjoy it all spruced up or the holidays. Ginger ...
Thanks, Ginger! I remember this one . . .
. . . from your collection. Original bracelet, too, if memory serves. As for being ready for the holidays, though, most unlikely . . . my watchmaker takes a long time to deliver. Warm regards, Art
Thanks, j! A purely serendipitous . . .
. . . acquisition, this was. You can never be too thin, have too much money, or own too many black dialed Omegas ;-) . . .
A cracking find Art......
You're lucky that your watchmaker has the rotor bearings - I thought these were unobtainable now and that has always put me off the early 500 series. I have passed on several because of such doubts - maybe I should reconsider as both the SM and Cons of th...
All credit to mrsnak . . .
. . . for finding our watchmaker, who was at one time in charge of Omega service in Austria, and has a repository of parts. He's also a 'hands-on' kinda guy - he won't hesitate to make a part from scratch, if that's what it takes. Cordially, Art
very nice aquisition Art.
I wish i had your willpower as even though this year has been comparatively dry for me i have still added quite a few to the safe. For me its been a year of consolidation, lots gone and sone heavy duty pieces coming in which has been fun, but a black dial...
Here are the seller's photos, Graham . . .
. . . from the local internet sales board listing. While I'd be wary of entering an auction based on pics like these, it's another matter when the seller is just a phone call and ten minute drive away. All suspicion cleared when I met the seller and saw t...
I bought my date-just on...
I bought my date-just on worse pics than that and it paid dividends as it is a minter and few other people bid. I would be very wary on a black dial omega though. Lucky for you it was a near face to face sale. G On Dec 3, 2012 5:23 PM, "www watchprosite" ...
The transaction was completed . . .
. . . at our local Irish pub! She agreed to my first offer. A little Smithwick's goes a long way ;-) . . .
Haha :)...
Haha :) On Dec 3, 2012 5:53 PM, "www watchprosite" *Alert from:* www:watchprosite > *Posted By:* Dr No (registered) on December 3rd, 2012 - 09:53 > > *Title: The transaction was completed . . . > * > > *
That's a good measure of . . .
. . . their charm, no? Unembellished and long-lasting. Lends them a certain comfort value . . . like a well-worn pair of shoes, or stove-top percolator. Thanks for sharing your vintage Omega with us again! Cordially, Art
Thanks, Fred. Black dials . . .
. . . were rare to begin with, so finding one now is especially rewarding for a collector. As I mentioned to Kyle, I would've passed had this been a white dial in identical condition. Cordially, Art