Omega Seamaster 18ct Cal.501 Automatic, Black Dial 1958

£3,500

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Restored, Serviced and Guaranteed

A Very Well Cared For and Lightly Used Example

Superbly Restored Black Dial with Original Dauphine Hands

18ct Yellow Gold, Heavy 34mm Case, excluding the Omega Signed Crown

Immaculate Very High Grade Cal.501, 20 Jewel Automatic Movement

High Quality Dennison UK, Made For Omega, 18ct Gold Watch Case

High Quality Black Lizard Strap and Gold Plated Omega Buckle

All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition

Matching Vintage Omega Presentation Box Included

VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty Included*

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

Free UK Next Day Delivery!

FedEx International £45

Sold 14th Oct '18
VGW Reference: Om718
Price £3,500

£3,500

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Highly Recommend
The service from Vintage Gold Watches was as per usual Fantastic, the watch arrived when expected and was extremely well packaged as usual. The watch was even nicer than the photos and went straight onto my wrist. Another fantastic acquisition for my growing collection. VGW is the first and so f
Andrew S via Feefo 29/1/2024
Verified Buyer
I have no hesitation in recommending.
From start to finish the service I have received has been excellent. Kirsty has kept me informed all the way and the level of the finished repair to a very old and worn vintage watch was exemplary.
Bryn H via Google Review 23/2/2024
Verified Buyer
Even better in real life
My watch has just arrived and it looks even better in real life! Just wanted to say a massive thank you to John and everyone there for the help you gave me in securing my dream watch. Cannot recommend your company highly enough. Thank you so much. Mike
Mike G via email 29/11/2023
Verified Buyer
New Vacheron
The watch arrived safely together with all its paperwork and looks lovely both on and off the wrist. It is very beautiful and understated. So a definite “yes” from all of us. Happy Christmas to you all Very best wishes Stephen
Stephen R via Email 6/12/2023
Verified Buyer
ABOUT THIS WATCH

Omega Watches

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of innovations. 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 40s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 50s and 60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over the 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 to space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

The Omega Seamaster was first released in 1948 and has been a cornerstone of Omega’s product range ever since, remaining in production to this very day. The model has always represented the highest standards of accuracy, reliability and dependability and its design and robust construction has always meant solidity and excellent standards of shock, water and dust resistance.

The example here is a rare, early, heavy cased, Black dial 18ct gold Seamaster, which is in tip-top condition in every aspect. The beryllium-bronze movement, in particular, is  spectacular!

Note: This watch would make a wonderful 60th birthday or anniversary present!

The Dial

The original Semi-Gloss Black dial is a rarity, as not many were made. With applied spearhead hour indices and 3 – 6 – 9 numerals, this one is perhaps the most classic and popular of all the Seamaster dial designs of the period. Bold applied gilt numerals and ‘Dagger’ hour indices, matched with the original ‘Dauphine’ hands and centre seconds hand, along with the dial furnishings, look wonderful against the Black dial and chunky 18ct watch case.

This is the original dial which has been restored to the highest standards by our dial restorers which are considered to be the best in the UK.

The Movement

Between 1948 and 1958, Omega used ‘Bumper’ automatic watch movements which used an oscillating rotor, bouncing between two springs to wind the watch. However, this watch carries Omega’s first 360 degree fully rotating rotor. The Calibre 501 automatic movement was an Omega milestone design of very high quality – highly accurate, highly reliable and highly dependable in all conditions.

As can be seen in the photographs, the copper-plated beryllium-bronze, high-grade Cal.501, 20 jewels automatic movement is in simply spectacular condition! The movement is correctly signed: Omega Watch Co, Swiss, with the Calibre number 501 and ’20 Jewels’, along with the serial number 16,501108 which dates this watch to 1958.

The movement has been fully overhauled by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker. This means disassembling the watch movement down to all its component parts, careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Omega parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration. This watch, therefore, winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably within +4 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions. Please bear in mind this kind of performance is outstanding for any watch, and particularly of this age. This is no exaggeration – we have checked these test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has a 46 hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore highly confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The automatic winding mechanism is very efficient and if worn regularly each day, this watch will never need winding and seldom need resetting. The movement winds, runs and sets smoothly and is working perfectly.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The noticeably heavy 18ct Yellow Gold case measures 34mm in diameter, excluding the correct original signed Omega winding crown.

The case has a heavy, press-fit case-back with a strong, deep, main body and substantial swept back lugs. This was one of the very last proper Omega Seamasters, with a screw-back case-back and without the Seamaster motif. Importantly, the case-back is of full thickness and has never been engraved.

The case is immaculate, with no scratches, dings or other marks visible to the naked eye. Indeed it would be very difficult to distinguish this watch case from a ‘new old stock’ example in the Omega Museum in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland!

Inside the case-back, all is exactly it should be: Double signed Dennison and Omega Watch Co. This is because this watch case was made in the UK for Omega by Dennison, as a great many watch cases were, during this period. The case carries Birmingham UK 18ct hallmarks and the case reference number 26906.

*Please note, the watch case was hallmarked in Birmingham in 1960, so this watch could rightfully be described as either a 1958 watch, based on the movement serial number, or a 1960 watch, based on the case, or even a 1959 watch, this being somewhere in-between!

This was originally marketed as a waterproof watch and although the rubber seals have been replaced as part of the restoration, the watch has not been tested for water resistance and this is not guaranteed.

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

The Strap & Buckle

We have fitted a high quality, Black Lizard strap with a gold plated Omega buckle, which we feel matches the watch very well. If 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 and black in stock, in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. However, we can also obtain most types and colours at short notice.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, all the numbers and markings on the watch are correct, dating the watch to 1958*. Our detailed ‘Particulars’ document will be included in the sale, along with our detailed receipt and 12 months’ Warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale, along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If at any time, this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

The matching vintage Omega presentation box shown in the photographs is included.

In Conclusion

A simply stunning example of an early 18ct Omega Seamaster in beautiful condition, which is perfect for use as a dress watch for special occasions. However, as Omega Seamaster watches were designed to be waterproof, dustproof and shockproof, this watch is also perfectly suitable for use as an everyday watch.

The movement is of a very high grade and on a par with watches far more expensive than this. Indeed when new, this watch would have cost more than the equivalent Rolex. Omega Seamaster watches are highly collectable and the rarity of this early 18ct gold watch means its value will always remain strong.

This watch will also make an excellent investment and family heirloom piece. Even though vintage Omega prices have risen markedly recently, we feel fine examples such as this still remain undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage watches expands, availability will become more limited, so prices are surely destined to climb ever higher!

A word about 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 inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well known stores in West London which are very 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.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would wish to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please note we welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.

We will 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 our landline  020 7727 7095   or mobile  07515 949 250 or if calling from overseas our landline number is +44 207 727 7095  or mobile +44 7515 949 250.

We are here, ready, available and awaiting your call! We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting vintage watches, we will also be happy to hear from you.

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine Vintage Gold Watches!

Thank you.

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