This Watch

We have here a rare 36mm Omega Seamaster 2857- 2856 from 1958.  We were happy to add this larger model to stock for the more substantial wrist. Vintage Watch size being a big topic of conversation it appears the 2 mm is noticeable .The black amazingly has had previous restoration, we estimate sometime in the 1990s so has a nice light patina. Dial restorations also being an age old conversation and in our opinion as long as the buyer is informed that the dial is the original dial but fully repainted then everything is transparent! After all a great condition watch can still have a restored dial and look like this. You can see the dial has pointed slim arrow / spearhead baton markers and doubled up at north south east and west numbers Gilt text,  hour markers and alpha hour, minute and central seconds hands. The dial is signed 'Omega, Automatic Seamaster,' with the famous, gilt Omega logo at 12 o'clock .

The substantial 36mm, stainless steel pressured clip back case is a comfortable wear for both him and her.  We love the chunkier, 1950s case designs from Omega - they give the watch real personality.  We particularly love the slightly fatter lugs of this piece, which gives the watch a slightly more contemporary feel.  Inside is the automatic Omega caliber 501 with the extra movement ring to accommodate a larger case, fully serviced by us and running strongly.  We've paired the watch on an heavy duty tan thick leather strap with summer vibes but pretty much any strap would suit this watch.

Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, Omega started out as La Generale Watch Co., an unassuming, but international business. It wasn't until 1885, when the company had been taken over by Louis' sons, that the first mass-produced caliber, the Labrador, was released. By 1903, the company had renamed itself Omega and only two years later were they the official timekeepers at many sporting events across Switzerland. Omega stepped onto an international stage in 1932 as the official timekeepers at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, the first of over 20 Olympic Games. Omega were one of the 12 companies, now known as the Dirty Dozen, commissioned to produce watches for the British Military during the Second World War. One of Omega's most iconic watches, the Seamaster, was introduced in 1948 to celebrate their 100th anniversary. Over 70 years later, it is still one of Omega's best selling watches. Omega made headlines in 1962 when Wally Schirra wore the Speedmaster as part of NASA's first crewed spaceflight programme, making the Speedmaster the first watch to enter space. It was only a few years before the Speedmaster became the official chronograph for the American space missions and was worn by Buzz Aldrin as well as the Apollo 13 crew.

Fully serviced by us in our on-site workshop and comes with our 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.

What we think

The size and rarity is what drew us in to this watch first, but when we inspected closer we realised how special it actually is! This larger model is seldom seen and was produced in low numbers, maybe an experiment by omega durung the 1950s for a larger man however its said we were smaller then. Generally vintage black dials seemed to suffer over time due to the pain process and also less were produced.  Maybe a combination of the chemical make-up of black dials, combined with the elements, caused them to mostly deteriorate, making a survivor a rare watch indeed! There for most required restore or attention  Granted, any vintage Seamaster with these fat lugs I adore!  If you're looking for an affordable, attractive and reliable vintage watch, you'd be pushed to find a better example.  Perfect for the vintage watch newbie but also a must-have for a seasoned collector. 

Spec Stuff