• Omega Seamaster Serial Number 60374517

The Omega model number and or Omega serial number is the foundation for most any successful transaction involving Omega. For starters. Identify Model name – The name of the Omega model examples: Speedmaster, Planet Ocean, Constellation, De Ville, Prestige etc Identify. Does your Omega have the date? Brief history of the Omega Watch Company including watch production dates, serial numbers and calibers. Omega on the Moon. Because of its well-deserved reputation for precision and reliability, the Omega Speedmaster was chosen by NASA as its official chronometer in 1965. It was the only watch flight-certified. The date window on the automatic is somewhat closer to the outer edge of the dial, due to a difference in the date mechanisms used by its movement. The serial number on most current OMEGA Seamaster models is laser etched in very small type on the back of the lug closest to the 7 o'clock position on the watch.

Here's the problem with using Ryan's chart (or any chart for that matter): Every Speedy Pro has a unique number on the escape wheel bridge. (On later model Speedy Pros, this number is also engraved on the back of the 7:00 lug.) Most refer to this as the movement number but more accurately, this number should be called the 'escape wheel bridge' number. As they are machined and engraved, these individually numbered bridges are collectively placed in parts bins awaiting assembly into the movements. During the assembly process, these numbered bridges are randomly selected from the bins and installed along with the other parts. No one takes the time to remove them from the bins in order; i.e., first in, first out. Note that this selection process might permit a bridge to sit in a bin for years before being used. Once assembled, the movements are 'put on the shelf' for later installation in the cases.

Again these movements are randomly pulled for installation in the cases. No one takes the time or the effort to insure 'first in, first out'. It may be some time (even years) before an assembled movement is installed in a case.

Obviously, the parts bin may contain a mixture of bridges produced over the years a particular movement was produced. For example, the cal. 1863 has been in production since the mid-1990s. The parts bin could conceivably contain bridges manufactured and numbered in 1996, or any year since, creating the possibility that a movement assembled in 2008 might have a bridge number dating from 1996. Likewise, a movement assembled in 1996 could sit on the shelf for years until being installed in a case in 2008.

I'm not a mathematician but the probability of the movement/bridge numbers providing any useful (i.e., accurate) information regarding date of manufacture is negligible in my opinion. And how do we really date a Speedy Pro? Is it the date the bridge was machined and engraved, the date the movement was assembled, the date the watch was assembled, the date the watch left Bienne, or the date it was sold at retail? If you buy a new Speedy Pro (which I have never done and do not recommend anyone to do), just use the date on your receipt and enjoy.

If you buy pre-owned, don't even worry about dating your Speedy. Your 'precious' will give you years of reliable service regardless of its age. (My 105.012 Speedy just returned from its first repair, a 'mainspring transplant', after 40+ years of enjoyment.) Note that some use the date engraved inside the caseback of vintage Speedies (i.e., 105.012- 65) as the watch's year of manufacture.

Omega Seamaster Serial Number 60374517

Again, the 'part's bin' factor could result in a '65' caseback being used in the assembly of a watch in 1969. For an interesting discussion relating to this issue, check out this thread regarding cal. Knowing John R.

Diethelm well and having communicated with him many times, I can say he is verry knolageable in most cases. But I also know he has been wrong many times in the past (sorry John please do not hate me my friend) mostly due to the bad record keeping by Omega prior to being sold to the Swatch group and the fact that they have not made an in-house case of movement after the 80's. The statement that Omega did not make a 321 movement after 1960 is not correct at all, and in fact they assembled them from existing repair parts right up to mid 1968.

That said, Omega did purchase and produce movements in batches especially chronometer grades. The serial numbers will not indicate a actual date of production but will get you close + or- a year. Most of the 432 movements were supplied pre assembled including the stem but not the dial.

Omega simply added the dail and hands and installed the movement into the case. Omega never sold a replacement serial numbered bridge for repair, if needed they would supply a complete movement but this was done VERY RARELY. Omega never sold a replacement serial numbered bridge for repair, if needed they would supply a complete movement but this was done VERY RARELY. Farel As they say, 'Never say never.'

In two instances over the years I have had occasion to replace escape wheel bridges in cal. 186# movements. Both replacements came complete with movement numbers.

Perhaps these were isolated incidents but I have had other watchmakers report replacement bridges with numbers. I have yet to confirm a replacement bridge without a number. As for the cal.

321 movement, Omega may have assembled movements from repair parts through 1969 but it is my understanding that all assembled movements provided to Omega by Lemania ceased in 1960. As for John Diethelm, it was this email which erroneously reported the model of the Speedmasters worn on the moon.

Quote: Dave S. Posted, on 1 August, 2000 in the (TZ) Omega Forum, an email from Omega PR (John R.

Diethelm) regarding the ST 145.0120-67 model: Dear Sir, further to your above inquiry, we have compared your information and have therefore the following available details:. mvt N° xxxxxxxxxx. manual winding chronograph movement of Calibre 321 - 17 jewels. case reference: ST 145.012 - stainless steel.

manufactured and delivered to our Agents in Danemark on October 25, 1968. It is confirmed that the OMEGA Speedmaster chronographs that went to the ' Moon ' were of identical reference as your above watch. Best regards John R. Diethelm / Public relations Mr.

Diethelm was not in a position to have actual knowledge of the watches issued to the Apollo astronauts by NASA and worn on the moon. As confirmed by NASA records, most wore the 105.012 and perhaps a 105.003. It is doubtful that a 145.012 made it to the surface although we know that Collins wore one on the Apollo XI command module. Ah, the history and mystery of the Omega Speedmaster Professional. I found the below listed watch on line. What should I be aware of before I buy? 'If you are a watch collector you know how rare this watch is.

It was only made by Omega a few years in the early 1950's and they sell for $2000 plus in running condition. This particular MINT (professionaly restored) watch has a beautifully re-finished perfect dial, newer OMEGA case and hands, Omega signed crown,crystal and Railmaster caseback. It has the Omega cal. 267 17 jewel manual wind movement that keeps very good time. To me the best thing about this Omega Ranchero is its housed in a 39mm case instead of your typical classic watches of that time (30-34mm) which are too small, this size is more like a Rolex submariner. I'm asking $1000 obo (not going to give it away) cash or a possible trade for another OMEGA, Rolex, TAG, or Brietling in MINT condtion. Will send pics of the back (pink gold Omega movement) for serious buyers, must see to appreciate.

Go to ebay and type in Omega Ranchero to get an idea of its rarity and value'. Here's the problem with using Ryan's chart (or any chart for that matter): Every Speedy Pro has a unique number on the escape wheel bridge. (On later model Speedy Pros, this number is also engraved on the back of the 7:00 lug.) Most refer to this as the movement number but more accurately, this number should be called the 'escape wheel bridge' number. As they are machined and engraved, these individually numbered bridges are collectively placed in parts bins awaiting assembly into the movements. During the assembly process, these numbered bridges are randomly selected from the bins and installed along with the other parts. No one takes the time to remove them from the bins in order; i.e., first in, first out.

Note that this selection process might permit a bridge to sit in a bin for years before being used. Once assembled, the movements are 'put on the shelf' for later installation in the cases. Again these movements are randomly pulled for installation in the cases. No one takes the time or the effort to insure 'first in, first out'. It may be some time (even years) before an assembled movement is installed in a case. Obviously, the parts bin may contain a mixture of bridges produced over the years a particular movement was produced.

For example, the cal. 1863 has been in production since the mid-1990s. The parts bin could conceivably contain bridges manufactured and numbered in 1996, or any year since, creating the possibility that a movement assembled in 2008 might have a bridge number dating from 1996. Likewise, a movement assembled in 1996 could sit on the shelf for years until being installed in a case in 2008. I'm not a mathematician but the probability of the movement/bridge numbers providing any useful (i.e., accurate) information regarding date of manufacture is negligible in my opinion.

And how do we really date a Speedy Pro? Is it the date the bridge was machined and engraved, the date the movement was assembled, the date the watch was assembled, the date the watch left Bienne, or the date it was sold at retail? If you buy a new Speedy Pro (which I have never done and do not recommend anyone to do), just use the date on your receipt and enjoy. If you buy pre-owned, don't even worry about dating your Speedy. Your 'precious' will give you years of reliable service regardless of its age.

(My 105.012 Speedy just returned from its first repair, a 'mainspring transplant', after 40+ years of enjoyment.) Note that some use the date engraved inside the caseback of vintage Speedies (i.e., 105.012- 65) as the watch's year of manufacture. Again, the 'part's bin' factor could result in a '65' caseback being used in the assembly of a watch in 1969. For an interesting discussion relating to this issue, check out this thread regarding cal.

Goto Forum: Messages: 2918 Location: Montreal, Canada Registered: April 2005 Seamaster serial numbers. Thu, 22 November 2007 20:52 Having owned 9 Seamasters, I have found the range of serial numbers to help anyone figure out the approximate production date of theirs. Any Seamaster serial number starting with 8xxxxxxx means it was made from the year 2000 onwards. My latest SMPC new style Bond chrono with a serial number of 8161xxxx was confirmed by Omega to have been produced in November of 2006. So a range of 80000001 - 8161xxxx falls between 2000 - 2006. My 1998 Limited Edition Seamaster started with a 60xxxxxx which is in keeping with a production date between 1995-1999 for serial numbers beginning with the number 6.

Use the 40th Anniversary Bond LE and Casino Royale LE Seamasters to come even closer to a production date. Many sellers of these two watches, post the serial numbers. So we basically know that over 1.6 million Seamasters have been produced in the last 7 or so years. Messages: 1391 Location: Southern USA Registered: May 2005 Re: Seamaster serial numbers. Sat, 24 November 2007 10:48 Reasonable logic, but unfortunately your inductive reasoning has led you to an some erroneous conclusions. I've posted on this previously and have given the subject some thought.

I've also gathered many more serial numbers than mine and analyzed it based on a sticky on another website. Beginning in 1995, Omega began assigning small series of numbers spread out over a wide range to different calibres. Prevously, Omega used serial numbers in a way which was generally, but not exactly consecutively. Thus within the last 12 years, Omega watches were being produced with 48 million, 56 million, 57 million, 60 million, 61 million, 77 million, 80 million and 81 million serial numbers that I know of, from my own collection.

Omega states that some 57 million to 61 million and some 66 to 80 million numbers have been used (62 million to 65 million are 'available'). Serial number ranges are assigned to calibres, not to watch models, so you cannot assume production in a certain range of numbers went to a specific model if multiple models use the same calibre, as is the case in almost every instance. Since serial number ranges are not necessarily used in consecutive order, you cannot assume that all 80 million serial numbers have been used, for instance. In fact, they almost certainly have not. Add to the fact that serial numbers are assigned to chronometer tested movements before they are tested, not when they are used in production and placed in a watch, and dating your watch is more muddied. In 2007, Omega published updated serial number tables. I and other responsible forum members have not published them because frankly, they are wrong by several years in terms of the first usage of a serial number, which is the only information it purports to disclose.

They confuse rather than clarify. Two examples: First use of 77 million is given as 2005. I have a Snoopy Speedy from 2003 with a 77 million number. First use of a 80 million is given as 2006. I have a chronometer date on a 2500B with a 80 million number from 2000. Here are the watches I own or have owned produced since 1995, in calibre order. It is difficult to discern a pattern, except with calibre 1861, which have orderly moved from 48 million to 77 million serial numbers.

Omega specifically states that Lemania movements are treated different.