Omega Seamaster Bumper Automatic Cal.354 1953

Omega 

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and 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 1950s 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 into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Omega Speedmasters were the first watches to arrive on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

Here we have a fine example of a 1950’s gentleman’s Omega Seamaster wristwatch. Despite its age, this watch retains much of its originality in the dial, case and movement. As a package, this is a good sized vintage watch with a robust stainless steel case, a fully serviced and guaranteed Omega movement and an incredible previously restored silver two-tone dial. A perfect watch for casual, daily use, overflowing with history and character.

The Dial

The beautiful, previously restored two-tone, silver dial is simply beautiful. The dial carries a wonderful subtle gold centre circle with a perfectly matched silver outer circle, which is simply stunning, this dial adds something so special and unique. The dial has the original gilt ‘arrowhead’ hour indices mixed with ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’ standard Arabic numerals, which are swept by the original gilt ‘dauphine’ hands, all of these wonderful features complete this dial perfectly.

The dial also carries the original Omega brand and is correctly signed ‘Omega Automatic’ below 12, with ‘Seamaster’ just above 6 and with ‘Swiss Made’ just below 6.

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard yet remains in outstanding condition.

Movement

This is the Omega Cal.354, which is the same movement used in the range-topping, Chronometer rated, Omega Constellation of the same period. Charles Perregaux designed the Cal.354 movement and is a true classic which has certainly stood the test of time. The bumper automatic uses an oscillating rotor which winds the movement in one direction. Over 1.3 million of these movements were produced between 1943 and 1955 and carefully designed for chronometer levels of accuracy while remaining robust enough to handle the strong vibrations caused by the hammer action.

As can be seen, the fully restored beryllium bronze movement is in amazingly clean condition having been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely disassembled to all its component parts, carefully inspected under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts before careful reassembly, adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +10 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. This has been checked and confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher and this level of performance is outstanding for any watch, particularly of this age. The movement also has an excellent 50-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The Omega Cal.354 movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch ideal for regular daily use.

The movement is signed ‘Omega Watch Co Swiss’, ‘Adjusted Five Positions and Temperatures’ along with the Calibre No. 354, ‘Seventeen 17 Jewels’, and the Serial No.13628698 which dates this watch to 1953.

The Case

This watch has obviously been very well cared for and has seen only light use. The beautiful stainless steel case has unique swept-back lugs which raise the case slightly on the wrist and emphasise its presence. At 35mm in diameter, excluding the correct Omega signed crown, this is a good sized watch by the standards of its day. This is a very heavy-duty case and carries a screw-down case back, making this watch waterproof when new**.

The watch has been very well cared for and, after a close inspection, has required a careful clean and a gentle polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition. The case, the case-back and the bezel are all in superb condition with no marks or scratches visible to the naked eye. Even under high magnification, it is very hard to find any signs of wear, indicating this watch has seen very little use and has had a charmed life. The case is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.

Inside the case-back, all is correct and as expected, signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘Acier Staybrite’ along with the model reference number C2577-750.

The case has been professionally inspected, cleaned and lightly polished and is in superb condition, showing only very minimal signs of wear with no scratches, dings, or other damage visible to the naked eye.

**Please note, although the waterproof seals have been replaced and the watch was originally specified as waterproof when new, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed.

As ever our standard advice applies: vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a high quality black leather strap and Omega signed stainless steel buckle, which we feel suits the watch perfectly. If, however, 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 burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.

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 1953.

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.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. 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 first-class example of a highly collectable and highly practical vintage stainless steel watch from one of horology’s most famous names which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! This will make an excellent evening wear dress watch as well as a practical highly accurate and reliable timepiece to use on an everyday basis.

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 steel watches.

Thank you