Omega Seamaster Cal.552 18ct 1959

£3,200

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Inspected, Serviced & Guaranteed

A Beautifully Well Cared For and Lightly Used Example

Wonderful Unrestored ‘Pencil’ Indices and ‘3-6-9-12’ Numerals

Good-Sized 33mm Case, Excluding the Omega Signed Crown

Previously Restored Silver-White Dial with Unrestored ‘Dauphine’ Hands

High Grade Calibre 552, 24 Jewel Automatic Movement In Wonderful Condition

High Quality Hardwood Presentation Box Included, as Shown

All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition

High Quality Brown Alligator Strap with Gold-Plated Omega Buckle

VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty Included*

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery

Free UK Special Delivery

Sold 26th Aug '23
VGW Reference: Om1677
Price £3,200

£3,200

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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 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 ’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 into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission and in 1969, two Omega Speedmasters landed on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Omega Seamaster was introduced by Omega in 1948 and has remained in production continuously ever since.

Description

Here we have a rare, early Omega Seamaster with the Calibre 552 automatic movement and heavy-duty 18ct gold case, from 1959. This example has a wonderful previously restored silver-white dial which carries a mix of ‘pencil’ hour indices and 3, 6, 9, 12 Arabic numerals. This is Omega model reference 14700 SC.

Omega Seamaster watches have always been highly regarded for their accuracy and dependability and are considered one of the most practical everyday vintage watches one can buy.

The Dial

The superb two-tone silver-white dial catches the light beautifully, as we have tried to demonstrate in the photographs. The 3, 6, 9, 12 dial with applied gilt numerals and ‘pencil’ hour indices, is matched with the unrestored ‘dauphine’ hands, all of which look wonderful against the yellow gold case. The dial is effortlessly classic, elegant and stylish and just the kind of style which never dates.

The dial carries an applied gilt Omega brand and is signed ‘Omega Automatic’ with ‘Seamaster’ below and ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom.

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard and is in simply wonderful condition.

The Movement

The Omega Calibre 552, 24 Jewel automatic movement fitted to this watch was one of Omega’s most successful movements, remaining in production for almost 20 years.

This movement is very highly regarded for its accuracy and reliability, making this watch perfectly suited for everyday use as well as evening wear. The movement is in tip-top condition having been overhauled and serviced by our vintage Omega specialist watchmaker which 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 and adjustment and calibration. The watch winds, sets and runs perfectly accurately and reliably within +5 seconds per day, averaged over 5 positions which is excellent for any watch of this age and has been confirmed on our electronic watch timegrapher. The movement also has an excellent 52-hour power reserve when fully wound. We are therefore more than confident in offering 12 months’ warranty with this watch movement*.

The movement is correctly signed ‘Omega Watch Co. Swiss’ and carries the Calibre 552, along with the serial number 17,220,409 which dates this watch to 1959.

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

Watch Case

The 18ct yellow gold watch case measures 33mm, excluding the correct original Omega signed crown and the case-back, bezel and body are all in beautiful condition with no scratches, dings or other damage visible to the naked eye. The watch has been lightly used and very carefully looked after, which has meant that after careful inspection, the case has simply required a professional clean and gentle hand-polish to bring back the almost new look of the watch.

The inside of the case is correctly signed ‘Omega Watch Co.’, ‘Fab Suisse’ and ‘Swiss Made’ with ’18K’ and the model reference 14700 SC.

Note – Although this watch case was classed as waterproof when new and all the rubber seals have been replaced, this watch has not been pressure tested and its water resistance is not guaranteed. As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

The watch is fitted with a brown alligator strap and gold-plated Omega buckle which we feel finishes this watch perfectly. However, 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. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their wonderful range of straps if you wish here.

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 1959.

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 also 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”.

A high quality hardwood presentation box, as shown in the photographs, is included in the sale of this watch.

In Conclusion

This is a superb example of the iconic Omega Seamaster automatic watch with the Calibre 552 movement, which 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 watch means the value will always remain strong.

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.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. 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 that happen to visit the UK 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 deliver your watch directly to you there.

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 on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas +44 207 727 7095

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.

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