OMEGA SEAMASTER BUMPER WRIST WATCHES  AND THE HISTORY

A 1950 “Bumper” Omega Seamaster is the perfect example of a classic watch that would be extremelydifficult 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.

 

Below is the serial numbers to give the dates to the Omega watches

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