Hello Tony,
Thank you for sending in your family omega to mearto.com for an appraisal. I shall try to help you with that today.
TITLE:
Omega Automatic, "Seamaster", 1960's. Gent’s, center-seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, 14K yellow gold filled wristwatch with hand stitched leather strap, “Automatic Seamaster” model, case no. not available, made by Omega, Geneva, Switzerland, circa 1960’s
PROVENANCE:
“My father, age 93, gave this to my grandfather and then when he passed went back to my father and now me.”
DESCRIPTION:
CASE: (size not supplied) Estimated to be 34mm diameter, two leaf, polished 14k yellow gold filled, concave lugs, screw-down stainless steel back cover with engraved seahorse Seamaster logo and associated with a maroon leather croc or alligator strap. . .
DIAL: Satiné silvered round dial with applied pointy baton hour indices, doubled at the twelve position, open bar minute track, Dauphine hands and counterbalanced center seconds pointer. The dial is signed Omega (with gold logo), Automatic, Seamaster, Swiss Made” (the wording in black paint).
MOVEMENT: Not shown but would a copper colored movement with a rocker panel for self-winding. It might be either the Omega caliber 550/551 (17/24 jewels and made from 1958-1969) or the caliber590/591 (17/24 jewels made from 1960-1969). All four caliber movements vibrate @ 19800 beats per hour and have a power reserve between 48-50 hours on a single winding. . .
Condition:
Case – I am guessing that the case is gold filled or plated and not solid gold because of the manner in which it is wearing. The gilded finish on the bezel is wearing thin especially on the right side. The left upper lug also has an area where the gilding has been worn away.
Dial – The dial has areas of speckling due to silver oxidation. The applied batons are more silver colored in the photos than gold. The winding and setting crown is more steel colored than gilded also suggesting a thin layer of gilding covered a steel watch.
Movement - Not shown but assumed to be original to this case, genuine and functional.
COMPARABLES:
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/a-gentleman-s-1960-s-stainless-steel-omega-seamaster-automatic-wrist-H9OmQ18e5C (SOLD IN 2014 FOR $335 IN STAINLESS STEEL)
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/a-gentleman-s-1960-s-steel-and-gold-plated-omega-seamaster-automatic-dcNhuFIiX (SIMILAR EXAMPLE WITH THE DATE SOLD IN 2014 FOR $342)
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/a-gentleman-s-1960-s-stainless-steel-omega-seamaster-automatic-wrist-watch-btxK-veIK (IN STEEL CASE SOLD FOR $203 IN 2014)
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/VINTAGE-OMEGA-SEAMASTER-CADET-ROSE-GOLD-PLATED-STEEL-AUTOMATIC-CAL-471-REF-2828/233506871886?hash=item365e181a4e:g:EyIAAOSwrsFeVbpD
(This is a 1958 version of the gold plated Seamaster which sold on E-Bay for $265 but was in very good condition)
Commentary:
The Seamaster is the longest running product line still produced by Omega. It was introduced in 1948, and was loosely based upon designs made for the British Royal Navy towards the end of World War II. The original Seamaster's key feature was an O-ring gasket used to provide its waterproof seal. This design had been developed for use in submarines during the war, and turned out to also be useful for watches, where it made them much less vulnerable to temperature and pressure changes than earlier (lead or shellac) based gasket designs. The Omega Seamaster first made a diving record in 1955, when diver Gordon McLean reached a depth of 62.5 meters (205 ft) in Australia. Your example which was made in a gold plated steel casing was also made in solid gold for dress use and not meant to be used for serious diving.
PRICING:
In today’s demanding watch market condition plays a big role in pricing. With the condition of the bezel and the dial the price is limited on the upper end. The movement should still be in good condition and likely still can run if cleaned. I believe if offered at auction the fair market value would be in the $175-$225 range. However, as your father and grandfather’s personal watch it would have much greater value for you than any dollar amount I can place on it. Keep it running and enjoy it. It should keep excellent time if cared for.
The inside of the back cover carries the model reference number which I did not guess at because in 1960 so many of these formal Seamasters looked similar from the appearance of the dial and back cover.
Enjoy it!
My best
David