Omega - Seamaster - 2992-4 SC - Men - 1961

Presented for auction by Second Vintage

The Omega Seamaster stands as one of the most enduring and historically significant pillars of mid-century Swiss watchmaking. Born from the robust, water-resistant timepieces supplied to the British Ministry of Defense during the Second World War, the Seamaster evolved into the ultimate gentleman’s sports watch. This particular example perfectly captures the transitional design language of the late 1950s and early 1960s, combining a highly capable automatic movement with an elegant, dress-leaning aesthetic. Featuring the highly desirable beefy lugs and a classic beads-of-rice bracelet, this timepiece represents a golden era of Omega's production, offering collectors a beautifully honest and mechanically robust piece of horological history.

Brand: Omega
Model: Seamaster
Reference Number: 2992-4 SC
Serial Number: 18048973
Movement: Automatic Caliber 503, 20 Jewels
Dial: Original silvered dial with applied faceted indices, exhibiting light even spotting and minor edge wear.
Case Size: 36 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Production Year: 1961
Condition: Good vintage condition with honest wear and an attractively preserved dial.

Dial and Hands
The dial of this Seamaster presents a beautifully aged silvered surface that has developed a warm, subtle eggshell hue over the decades. It features prominent applied faceted dart indices that catch the light brilliantly, complemented by an applied Omega logo at twelve o'clock. The typography remains crisp, with a sans-serif "OMEGA AUTOMATIC" print and the signature script "Seamaster" text in the lower half. A stepped, applied frame surrounds the date aperture at three o'clock. Upon close inspection, the dial exhibits a fine, even scattering of light spotting across its surface, along with some minor wear along the extreme outer edges where it meets the crystal. The original dauphine hands show clear signs of age, with visible oxidation and darkening of the metal surfaces. This natural aging process provides a highly authentic vintage character that appeals strongly to purist collectors, maintaining excellent legibility while proudly displaying its history.

Case and Crystal
The 36 millimeter stainless steel case is defined by its signature thick, faceted lugs, often referred to by collectors as beefy lugs, which give the watch a substantial and commanding presence on the wrist. The smooth polished bezel transitions cleanly into the brushed and polished surfaces of the mid-case. The case shows honest, age-consistent wear, including surface scratches and minor handling marks throughout, but retains strong overall geometry without signs of heavy over-polishing. The watch is fitted with an unsigned crown. The domed acrylic crystal protects the dial but does show visible wear, including scuffs, scratches, and stress marks concentrated around the outer perimeter, particularly near the nine and six o'clock positions. Turning the watch over reveals a screw-down caseback featuring a deeply stamped and remarkably crisp Hippocampus medallion, a hallmark of the Seamaster line's water-resistant heritage.

Movement
Powering this timepiece is the beautifully copper-finished Omega Caliber 503, a 20-jewel automatic movement renowned for its durability and engineering elegance. The movement has been serviced and presents very cleanly, with the distinctive Omega finishing shining brightly under inspection. The serial number 18048973 is clearly stamped on the bridge, dating the production of this watch to approximately 1961. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece. The timegrapher indicates a deviation of -8 to -9 seconds per day with strong amplitude.

Strap
The watch is fitted with a period-correct stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet, a highly sought-after accessory that perfectly complements the mid-century aesthetic of the Seamaster. The bracelet features an Omega-signed folding clasp. The polished central beads and brushed outer links show normal superficial scratching and age-appropriate stretch consistent with decades of wear, yet the bracelet remains structurally sound and incredibly comfortable, accommodating a wrist size of up to 19 centimeters.

Condition
This timepiece is presented in good vintage condition. It wears its history honestly, with visible surface scratches on the stainless steel case and scuffs along the edges of the domed acrylic crystal. The dial has aged gracefully, showing light, even spotting and minor edge wear, while the original dauphine hands display noticeable oxidation. Despite these cosmetic signs of its journey through the decades, the watch remains structurally robust, featuring strong case lines, a crisp caseback medallion, and outstanding mechanical performance.

Dimensions
The stainless steel case measures 36 millimeters in diameter, excluding the crown. The included stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet will accommodate a wrist size of up to 19 centimeters.

Remarks
This Seamaster is a quintessential example of Omega's post-war design mastery. The combination of the robust Caliber 503, the commanding beefy lug case design, and the incredibly comfortable beads-of-rice bracelet creates a wearing experience that is both elegant and substantial. The honest patina on the dial and hands ensures that this watch stands out as a genuine, unmolested survivor from a revered era of Swiss watchmaking, making it a compelling addition to any serious vintage collection.

History
Introduced in 1948 to celebrate Omega's 100th anniversary, the Seamaster line was born from the brand's experience producing highly durable, water-resistant watches for the British military. Throughout the 1950s and into the 1960s, the Seamaster evolved, blending this rugged utility with refined, elegant designs suitable for civilian life. The introduction of robust automatic movements, combined with thick, faceted cases and the iconic Hippocampus caseback medallion, solidified the Seamaster's reputation as a versatile timepiece capable of transitioning seamlessly from sporting activities to formal occasions. Watches from this specific era remain some of the most celebrated and collected vintage Omegas on the market today.

Payment and Shipping
Payment must be completed within 1–3 days after purchase.
Your watch will be professionally and very securely packaged, and shipped with tracking and insurance for your peace of mind. We ship via fast express service, with typical delivery in 1–4 business days (destination dependent).
Note that with vintage watches, minor signs of wear, aging, or imperfections may be present and are considered normal for watches of this age.
Please review all photos carefully before bidding. We strive to photograph each watch from multiple angles for the most accurate representation. The photos form an important part of the description.
If there are any concerns of functionality or defects after delivery, make sure to contact us within 3 days of receiving the watch so we can assist you.
As with all vintage watches, water resistance is not guaranteed.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us after the auction ends.

/ Second Vintage

SKU: OME-OSX-0034