OMEGA SEAMASTER, CONSTELLATION, BUMPER,WRIST WATCHES AND THE HISTORY

A 1950 “Bumper” Omega Seamaster is the perfect example of a classic watch that would be extremely difficult to find today. The Seamaster model, intended as a rugged, high precision sports watch, was introduced only two years earlier in 1948, and rarely are early examples, offered for sale. The Seamaster name is still used by Omega today and these early watches are correctly perceived by enthusiasts as being historically significant as they very much represent the “first of a bloodline”. For the uninitiated, it rather behoves me to explain that the “bumper” nickname given to these particular watches is a reference to their automatic winding rotors. Unlike later Omega watches, these early automatics do not allow for full circular motion of their rotors. Omega engineers at the time calculated that maximum winding efficiency could be achieved by limiting the available rotor travel to roughly 300 degrees. These superb movements were entirely hand assembled and built to remarkably high standards. Only experienced Omega watchmakers were involved in the assembly of these movements, due to their high complexity. As the rotor moves backwards and forwards, it is cushioned by a pair of delicate buffer springs. When in use, the wearer can actually feel the rotor impacting against the springs and bouncing back again, hence the “bumper” title ascribed to this particular calibre. Sadly, due to sheer complexity of the movement, and its associated high production cost, despite its superb levels of accuracy and performance, the “bumpers” were only produced for a short time, hence their high desirability factor today. For those concerned with Omega reference numbers, the actual movement calibre is calibre 351 and other calibres, possibly the most highly regarded and technically advanced of all the Omega Bumpers. It is fully signed “Omega Watch Co, Swiss”, has 17 jewels, a 36 hour power reserve ( the length of time that the watch will run from fully wound to stopped if untouched) and operates at 19800 beats per hour. These movements had a well deserved reputation for accuracy and extreme reliability. All my Omega Bumpers watches has been regularly serviced throughout its life and is in perfect running order. Another important aspect of this watch is its superb condition and total originality. This model was the highest stainless steel model in the range and featured the extremely attractive art deco arrowhead markers and equally deco luminous dauphin hands. I would certainly state that, most Omega dial from 1948 are wonderfully elegant deco dials, some are very attractive vintage Omegas dials that I have ever seen. There dials are, of course, fully signed “Omega Automatic, Seamaster”. the earlier ones are signed Omega automatic, There are different shaped watch hands and winding crowns, complete with Omega logo. For the total perfectionist, Interestingly, the case has delightfully elegant slightly deco Omega from this period, most simply having rather simpler, squared off items. Most Omega backs are fully signed “Omega Watch Co, Fab Suisse, Swiss Made, complicated, and very collectible classic gentleman's Omega. “Bumpers” are becoming very difficult to find now and when they do surface, they I have unquestionably the rarest, and most valuable, of all the early Omega bumper models.

A GUIDE TO OMEGA MOVEMENT SERIAL NUMBERS AND DATES

Omega Serial Numbers 

1895      1,000,000 
1896      1,150,000 
1897      1,300,000 
1898      1,450,000 
1899      1,600,000 
1900      1,750,000 
1901      1,900,000 
1902      2,000,000 
1903      2,150,000 
1904      2,300,000 
1905      2,450,000 
1906      2,600,000 
1907      2,750,000 
1908      3,000,000 
1909      3,250,000 
1910      3,500,000 
1911      3,750,000 
1912      4,000,000 
1913      4,250,000 
1914      4,500,000 
1915       4,750,000 
1916      5,000,000 
1917      5,150,000 
1918      5,300,000 
1919      5,450,000 
1920      5,600,000 
1921      5,750,000 
1922      5,900,000 
1923      6,000,000 
1924      6,150,000 
1925      6,300,000 
1926      6,500,000 
1927      6,650,000 
1928      6,800,000 
1929      7,000,000 
1930      7,100,000 
1931      7,250,000 
1932      7,500,000 
1933      7,650,000 
1934      7,750,000 
1935      8,000,000 
1936      8,250,000 
1937      8,500,000 
1938     8,750,000 
1939     9,000,000 
1940     9,200,000 
1941     9,400,000 
1942     9,600,000 
1943     9,800,000 
1944   10,000,000 
1945   10,300,000 
1946   10,600,000 
1947   11,000,000 
1948   11,300,000 
1949   11,600,000 
1950   12,000,000 
1951   12,500,000 
1952   13,000,000 
1953   13,500,000 
1954   14,000,000 
1955   14,500,000 
1956   15,000,000 
1957   15,500,000 
1958   16,000,000 
1959   16,700,000 
1960   17,400,000 
1961   18,000,000 
1962   19,000,000 
1963   20,000,000 
1964   21,000,000 
1965   22,000,000 
1966   23,500,000 
1967   25,000,000 
1968   26,000,000 
1969   27,000,000 
1970   29,000,000