My vintage 34mm Omega Seamaster - 1960 - Calibre 562 review

Here is an elegant dress watch from Omega's sixties Seamaster collection. Its case is 34 mm in diameter, 12 mm thick, and has a lug width of 18 mm: the quintessential vintage proportions.

This is a Seamaster, so the watch features (allegedly) 30 meters of water resistance, so it is resistant. However, I have never tried or intended to bathe or swim while wearing this 63-year-old, which commands some respect; better safe than sorry. Obviously, the watch is operated by a push-down crown bearing the Omega logo.

Despite a well-lived life, the dial is magnificent. Its champagne colour is adorned by a set of golden applied indices and a cyclops date complication position at 3 o'clock. The hands provide contrast as they are all but one black. The Hesalite crystal bears the omega logo, indicating the watch's authenticity. At the same time, the case back bears the sea horse emblem of the Seamaster collection.

The Calibre 562 is an automatic movement with a power reserve of about 50 hours (unfortunately, we are not there anymore) and is equipped with 24 jewels. Interestingly, the watch has a sort of quick change date complication; I'm unsure whether this is the correct word. Basically, I can change the date by pulling the crown.

There is nothing but pleasure on the wrist, and the proportions are contained, as the champagne dial and the signed Hesalite crystal both ooze vintage. Yet, this is probably my least worn piece; I blame my working from home.

As to my only, I wish there was a bit of lume, but hey, this an oldie; we can't have it all.

My vintage 34mm Omega Seamaster - 1960 - Calibre 562 review

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  • elegant
  • signed crystal
  • simple
  • no lume?
Reply
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I have a 562 as well and I'm consistently impressed by how well it works. I usually get about 40 hours of power reserve and the time is bang on. Great, elegant watch.

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88MilesPerHour

I have a 562 as well and I'm consistently impressed by how well it works. I usually get about 40 hours of power reserve and the time is bang on. Great, elegant watch.

Absolutely, I have tried to get my local watchmaker to revise the movement a few times and every time he just said no, there is no need maybe in a year as the parameters are just bang on. A very impressive movement indeed.

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I never knew about the signed crystal. A family member has something like this and now I'll have to inspect it next time I see him. Thanks for not being a weirdo and calling it "small" or delicate. It is a perfectly normal size and robust spec for sane people.

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PoorMansRolex

I never knew about the signed crystal. A family member has something like this and now I'll have to inspect it next time I see him. Thanks for not being a weirdo and calling it "small" or delicate. It is a perfectly normal size and robust spec for sane people.

The logo is right in the centre of the crystal if you zoom into the picture you can kind of see it. As to the size of the watch, I have tried a few sizes over the years, I have learnt that my Goldilocks range goes from 34 mm to 39ish as my wrist stands at a mere 6.8'/17 cm. I think it's a question of taste or style at least that's where I'm comfortable.

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If you like vintage Omegas, you might find this interesting. I haven’t purchased here but love to look quite a bit.

https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/

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Imaluckydad

If you like vintage Omegas, you might find this interesting. I haven’t purchased here but love to look quite a bit.

https://www.omegaenthusiastltd.com/

Nice thanks mate I'll take a look

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danmerry

Nice thanks mate I'll take a look

Pricing looks a tad high. How would you compare their prices to what you got yours for?

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ziontrapper

Pricing looks a tad high. How would you compare their prices to what you got yours for?

Indeed their prices are definitely high, mine was more in the 400 € range, but that was five years ago, plus I live in Europe so this might help. They do have some great-looking pieces.