Omega

Hello all...some of you may remember my post of August 11, 2009 concerning a 1957 Omega Seamaster that I obtained that had a unique 5 digit serial number on the bridge of the movement. I contacted Omega in Switzerland and Mr John Diethelm was kind enough ... 

...  

The serial number on your watch is where it should be, as serials on 50x movements were near the barrel bridge.  And I dont think you'll find another number under the dial. I initially thought that maybe, somehow, the 1 may have been left off, but an 18 m... 

... not only does the movement coloration match, but the numerals seem to be of the proper font as used on other Omega movements of that era. Although the spacing seems to be a bit wider than normal. If Mr. Diethelm doesn't know anything about your watch,... 

I know reading through my correspondence to Mr Diethelm at Omega and his responses took some time and I apprciate that very much as well as your insightful previous comments. I was hoping for a more definitive answer from Bienne and it appears that more t... 

is it possible that the 8 was a 3 and a 1 has been left off the front so it should have been 13mil. that does mean someone would have changed the 3 to an 8, but anything is possible. i'm really sorry that no one has been able to help you, especially omega... 

As I can see, the number 8 is correct and I have a letter R in front of it. Here is what I have on my 561 chronometer, housed in a 168005, 18k solid gold case....  

i must say that your 8 looks even more 'wrong' than the first one. i assume they were hand engraved, but they are usually very uniform, your 8 is anything but uniform. anyway, enough of the 8. i wonder what the R signifies? this too is a very nice watch w... 

... but they were only on some of the 1970's automatic chronographs that had the serial number on the rotor. Since rotors do get replaced quite often, this would be understandable. I've never seen one on the older automatics that would power a Seamaster o... 

I wonder if the "R" in front of the 5 digit number on your movement could mean a warranty replacement component and the 5 digits refer to the last 5 characters of the original 8 digit number? Maybe my caliber 501 bridge plate was a replacement by the fact... 

Funny you should mention that Graham, over the years I' ve made that observation as well. Here is an early one (27'''' Lépine 8D) with the brandname "Brandt"... another one with "Omega" - 17J - adjusted... yet again with simply "Omega".... and finally a "...  

very interesting Ben. i dont think i have pics of mine as it was years ago, but i find one i'll post it. no markings whatsoever on movement, but with Omega on the dial. lovely loud slow tick. it would have made the perfect alarm clock if there had been an...