I'm offered this ca. 1955 watch with excellent original rice bead bracelet. They say caliber 470 is "rare"... I'm too new. It is self winding Seamaster. Any/all thoughts appreciated. Thanks all!

The 400-series autos were an in-between period for Omega as they slowly moved away from the highly successful 300-series bumper movements.  In a nutshell the bumpers had proven reliable enough that Omega seemed almost reluctant to plunge fully into full-rotor autos.  They flirted briefly with them with the 470- and 490-series movements, but didn't fully embrace them until the 500-series were released.  While they're certainly less common than other calibers I would stop short of calling them "rare."

As for quality, I recall there were some durability issues with the 470s, the details of which escape me right now.  Kreuzer does discuss them in "Omega Designs" if you're interested.  If a particular example has been recently serviced and is running properly I wouldn't be too concerned though.

Hope this helps.

-r

Thanks for your reply. I passed on that watch. Just today I was offered a solid gold 18kt. Caliber 505 , Mint condition pie pan 24 jeweler... I told him it's not plated or rolled gold, that it is real gold. He laughed at me. He said: "Look sonny, when you get to be my age, you can smell the difference". I'm 49 but anyone can call me 'sonny'. I tried. The watch had just been serviced and he gave me a years coverage too. White face with gold applied markers. I am one happy guy - why? - He thought he beat me for getting $300 cash !!

It's good to live in the boonies!
A good day - yes indeed! I know, I know. They happen, but not when your looking and not often enough. This deal will have to hold me for a good long while.

Hi Rryan - great to see you around after a longish sabatical

Yes, it was click wear on the reduction wheel of the winding system that Kreutzer and I think Hampel have both mentioned.  But I believe that was only a problem with neglected movements. In well serviced movements it appears not to have been such a bother. It was also an issue with the early 500 movement series (501 - 505)

The 470 also was more than often a US option because it complied with the cheaper import 17 jewel import duty cap, whereas the 471 had 19 and then 20 jewels and attrcated a higher duty on all jewels.

Cheers

desmond