Which Vintage Omega?

[AWS]

I would like to purchase a vintage Omega Seamaster in excellent or pristine condition. I have heard of a Cal. 354 using a bumper wind system and a Cal. 563 using a full rotor automatic wind system. Is one movement more desirable to a collector and for service when needed? Any suggestions on sources for acquiring this piece? Thanks!

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by AWSIN

I would like to purchase a vintage Omega Seamaster in excellent or pristine condition. I have heard of a Cal. 354 using a bumper wind system and a Cal. 563 using a full rotor automatic wind system. Is one movement more desirable to a collector and for service when needed? Any suggestions on sources for acquiring this piece? Thanks!

I just recently purchased a '53 354 Seamaster Bumper and I love it! It's such a classic. I posted an ad on Timezone and I soon found a local seller. Heres a little passage I found on bumpers:

A 1950 “Bumper” Omega Seamaster is the perfect example of a classic watch that would be extremely difficult to find today. The Seamaster model, intended as a rugged, high precision sports watch, was introduced only two years earlier in 1948, and rarely are early examples, offered for sale. The Seamaster name is still used by Omega today and these early watches are correctly perceived by enthusiasts as being historically significant as they very much represent the “first of a bloodline”. For the uninitiated, it rather behoves me to explain that the “bumper” nickname given to these particular watches is a reference to their automatic winding rotors. Unlike later Omega watches, these early automatics do not allow for full circular motion of their rotors. Omega engineers at the time calculated that maximum winding efficiency could be achieved by limiting the available rotor travel to roughly 300 degrees. These superb movements were entirely hand assembled and built to remarkably high standards. Only experienced Omega watchmakers were involved in the assembly of these movements, due to their high complexity. As the rotor moves backwards and forwards, it is cushioned by a pair of delicate buffer springs. When in use, the wearer can actually feel the rotor impacting against the springs and bouncing back again, hence the “bumper” title ascribed to this particular calibre. Sadly, due to sheer complexity of the movement, and its associated high production cost, despite its superb levels of accuracy and performance, the “bumpers” were only produced for a short time, hence their high desirability factor today. For those concerned with Omega reference numbers, the actual movement calibre is calibre 351 and other calibres, possibly the most highly regarded and technically advanced of all the Omega Bumpers. It is fully signed “Omega Watch Co, Swiss”, has 17 jewels, a 36 hour power reserve ( the length of time that the watch will run from fully wound to stopped if untouched) and operates at 19800 beats per hour. These movements had a well deserved reputation for accuracy and extreme reliability. All my Omega Bumpers watches has been regularly serviced throughout its life and is in perfect running order. Another important aspect of this watch is its superb condition and total originality. This model was the highest stainless steel model in the range and featured the extremely attractive art deco arrowhead markers and equally deco luminous dauphin hands. I would certainly state that, most Omega dial from 1948 are wonderfully elegant deco dials, some are very attractive vintage Omegas dials that I have ever seen. There dials are, of course, fully signed “Omega Automatic, Seamaster”. the earlier ones are signed Omega automatic, There are different shaped watch hands and winding crowns, complete with Omega logo. For the total perfectionist, Interestingly, the case has delightfully elegant slightly deco Omega from this period, most simply having rather simpler, squared off items. Most Omega backs are fully signed “Omega Watch Co, Fab Suisse, Swiss Made, complicated, and very collectible classic gentleman's Omega. “Bumpers” are becoming very difficult to find now and when they do surface, they I have unquestionably the rarest, and most valuable, of all the early Omega bumper models.

Here's a picture of mine:

[AWS]

Great post Kyle. I enjoy reading about the origin and history. When you posted an ad in Timezone, was it in the For Sale section? Did you have it serviced? It's a fine looking piece Kyle.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by AWSIN

Great post Kyle. I enjoy reading about the origin and history. When you posted an ad in Timezone, was it in the For Sale section? Did you have it serviced? It's a fine looking piece Kyle.

Thanks Allan. I did post in the FS section, but I also searched up existing sale ads for vintage Omega Seamaster, and I came upon the seller. The piece was serviced with a cleaning and a polish before I bought it. I searched all over for many months, in local garage sales, antique stores, watch stores until I finally found this one on timezone. I love it! Good luck on finding a Seamaster.

[Widows Son]

I have an early "bumper.'" I love the clunk, clunk, clunk when I wind it!!!

[groovejosh]

Gorgeous

[JimSnyder]

I have this 354 Bumper from 1954