Seamasters of the XVI Olympiad



I've known many a Constellation collector who, chancing upon a Seamaster XVI, begins to salivate wildly - the writer no less so!

There seems to be something magnificently Constellation-ish about these stunning watches released as a commemorative series at the time of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. With their strong faceted and more extreme dog leg lugs, raised faceted markers and XVI Roman numerals, Dauphine hands and six and ten-sided crowns, they certainly deserve honourary membership of the Constellation club.

Click here for an essay that broadly surveys this exquisite model

17 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:12 PM

    hi,

    this Seamaster is on my wish list for Christmas....

    I know that the price for the gold one in good state is about 2500-3000 USD who is not a small choice.
    I like the quality of the presentation you made...

    I'm always waiting for your book about Your Omega Passion...I'll make advertising in France about it !!!!!!

    Best regards from Martin webmaster of THE Web site about "Apparel Arts" in french.

    www.souliers.net

    ReplyDelete

  2. Hi Martin,

    Thanks for your kind comments.

    I'm contracted to werite another book in my own field, but I agree, there's getting to be so much material that it wouldnt be hard to put it into book form.

    Good luck in your search for a good example. One of the examples in the post is for sale., The website is noted below it.

    Regards

    desmond

    ReplyDelete

  3. Hi Desmond,

    Thank you for your articles about Constellation that are very useful for Omega lovers.

    Are there different dials of Seamaster XVI Olympiad? Differ from the one in this article.

    I saw one Omega in Thailand. It is 18 solid gold with XVI logo on its dial and on the back of the case. But no Seamster on the dial. Is it authentic?

    Thanks and Regards,
    Suparp Lertchanyakul

    ReplyDelete

  4. Hi Suparp

    There should be Seamaster lettering on all case number 2850, except the olympic rings models.

    The Thai agent for Omega at the time, the C Huat Company,also had some other standard seamasters reworked with an olympic dial, notably models KO 2626, KO 2494 and KO 2854.

    I would need to see a picture of the watch to acsertain whether it is a redial.

    Regards

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete

  5. Hi Desmond,

    Thank you for kind comments on question about Omega XVI Olymiad.

    After I went through your article about Omega XVI Olympiad. I think the Omega with Olympic Cross Rings I saw is produced by Thai agent. Its movement is 501. Is it worth colleting? What is its market price?

    Thanks and Regards,
    Suparp

    ReplyDelete

  6. Hi Suparp

    I think that these models would be worth collecting, and the main interest would come from Asia, and, in particular Thailand.

    I would need to see pics of dial case back and movement to really venture a calue

    regards

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous1:42 AM

    Great article about the Seamaster XVI. Just the other day I decided to research the Omega that I bought in the mid eighties from a pawn shop. Turns out to be the XVI Seamaster. I always wondered what the Olympic rings meant on the case back!

    Your article was excellent.

    ReplyDelete

  8. delighted that after 20 years you know just what a gem you bought :)

    Thanks for your feedback

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete

  9. There appear to be a few different 1956 Olympic Seamaster models. Sotheby's is auctioning one off later this month with the rings on the dial, as well as the back of the case. Their estimate is between $5,000-$7,000. Here's more info:

    http://www.sothebys.com/app/ecatalogue/fhtml/index.jsp?event_id=30076#/r=index-fhtml.jsp?event_id=30076|r.main=lot.jsp?event_id=30076&id=106&imgSize=436/

    ReplyDelete

  10. Hi Al, yes this is the red olympic rings version (there was also a coloured Olympic rings version too) and it looks pretty good.

    I would expect it to meet the upper end of its estimate.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous5:52 PM

    Hi Desmond,

    How do you identify the Thai Cross Model Retrofit without opening the case?

    Regards,
    David Flanagan

    ReplyDelete

  12. Hi David

    The easiest way to tell is the case. Thai models will not have cases that have the same lugs, and of course there will be no olympic medal on the outer case back.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous1:55 PM

    Hi Desmond, Thank you for the useful info.

    What leather band would you recommend for this watch?

    Also what do you mean the same lugs? Are those Dog Leg style?

    Best Regards,
    David Flanagan

    ReplyDelete

  14. yes, the lugs on the Thai models are lyre-shaped and XVI faceted dog-leg..

    These models were advertised in colour spreads with a medium tan (NOT BROWN)crocodile. Looks great with these straps.

    cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous7:26 PM

    Hi Desmond,

    Thanks again, master guru...

    BTW do you have picture of the advertisement from the 56?

    Cheers,
    David Flanagan

    ReplyDelete

  16. Hi David,

    One ad is above - click on the pic for a larger version.

    I thought I'd added another ad to the essay but didnt.

    I'll chase one up and put it below the other ad.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete

  17. Ok Ive put another scan up, where you can see the dark tan colour and texture of the band.

    Cheers

    D

    ReplyDelete

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