Des ...thanks for the comments

Jan 30, 2010,20:57 PM
 

I know reading through my correspondence to Mr Diethelm at Omega and his responses took some time and I apprciate that very much as well as your insightful previous comments. I was hoping for a more definitive answer from Bienne and it appears that more than one person looked into the matter at their end. I did not think the bridge plate would be non-Omega, but I had to ask the question and am glad that you think so as well. If the 5 digit serial number bridge plate was a warranty replacement component, I was hoping that Bienne would advise that it was the practice of Omega to stamp an abbreviated serial number referencing the original 8 digit number. From a mathematical standpoint, I was also hoping they would be able to narrow down the 5 digits on my movement to a corresponding eight digit number with the same matching 5 digits on their records for the 501 caliber movement (especially with the knowledge that the watch was sold in the UK).

Oh well... as you say the mystery should be embraced and enjoyed as one of life's little secrets! Thanks again and all additional comments are always welcome

all the best ...Dave  

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1957 Seamaster with 5 digit serial number

 
 By: dmcwilliams : January 30th, 2010-09:18
Hello all...some of you may remember my post of August 11, 2009 concerning a 1957 Omega Seamaster that I obtained that had a unique 5 digit serial number on the bridge of the movement. I contacted Omega in Switzerland and Mr John Diethelm was kind enough ... 

Here are the pics of the Omega cal 501

 
 By: dmcwilliams : January 30th, 2010-09:35
...  

Has me stumped

 
 By: mondodec : January 30th, 2010-18:11
The serial number on your watch is where it should be, as serials on 50x movements were near the barrel bridge.  And I dont think you'll find another number under the dial. I initially thought that maybe, somehow, the 1 may have been left off, but an 18 m... 

I'm officially confused on this one...

 
 By: gatorcpa : January 30th, 2010-20:51
... not only does the movement coloration match, but the numerals seem to be of the proper font as used on other Omega movements of that era. Although the spacing seems to be a bit wider than normal. If Mr. Diethelm doesn't know anything about your watch,... 

Des ...thanks for the comments

 
 By: dmcwilliams : January 30th, 2010-20:57
I know reading through my correspondence to Mr Diethelm at Omega and his responses took some time and I apprciate that very much as well as your insightful previous comments. I was hoping for a more definitive answer from Bienne and it appears that more t... 

the '8' looks slightly odd to me

 
 By: G99 : January 31st, 2010-08:09
is it possible that the 8 was a 3 and a 1 has been left off the front so it should have been 13mil. that does mean someone would have changed the 3 to an 8, but anything is possible. i'm really sorry that no one has been able to help you, especially omega... 

Nothing's wrong with it.

 
 By: hoipolloi : January 31st, 2010-11:39
As I can see, the number 8 is correct and I have a letter R in front of it. Here is what I have on my 561 chronometer, housed in a 168005, 18k solid gold case....  

even more interesting. 2 with 5 digit numbers

 
 By: G99 : January 31st, 2010-11:47
i must say that your 8 looks even more 'wrong' than the first one. i assume they were hand engraved, but they are usually very uniform, your 8 is anything but uniform. anyway, enough of the 8. i wonder what the R signifies? this too is a very nice watch w... 

I've seen "R" serial numbers on Omegas...

 
 By: gatorcpa : January 31st, 2010-17:52
... but they were only on some of the 1970's automatic chronographs that had the serial number on the rotor. Since rotors do get replaced quite often, this would be understandable. I've never seen one on the older automatics that would power a Seamaster o... 

Could the "R" mean a replacement?

 
 By: dmcwilliams : January 31st, 2010-21:32
I wonder if the "R" in front of the 5 digit number on your movement could mean a warranty replacement component and the 5 digits refer to the last 5 characters of the original 8 digit number? Maybe my caliber 501 bridge plate was a replacement by the fact... 

Goliath variations

 
 By: DeGeus : February 1st, 2010-15:38
Funny you should mention that Graham, over the years I' ve made that observation as well. Here is an early one (27'''' Lépine 8D) with the brandname "Brandt"... another one with "Omega" - 17J - adjusted... yet again with simply "Omega".... and finally a "...  

very interesting Ben.   i...

 
 By: G99 : February 4th, 2010-02:29
very interesting Ben. i dont think i have pics of mine as it was years ago, but i find one i'll post it. no markings whatsoever on movement, but with Omega on the dial. lovely loud slow tick. it would have made the perfect alarm clock if there had been an...