Omega Seamaster 2577

Omega’s 1949/1950 catalog introduced the Seamaster ref. 2577 as a robust, water-resistant automatic wristwatch. The Seamaster was marketed as “water-repellent, antimagnetic, [and] shock-resistant,” reflecting design features like a hermetically sealed (screw-in) case back, O-ring gaskets, and a reinforced crystal. This model became one of Omega’s most popular early Seamasters, produced in large numbers from approximately 1948 through 1955. Often cited as the first Seamaster model (introduced for Omega’s 100th anniversary in 1948), the Omega vintage database lists its international release in 1949.

The Omega Seamaster ref. 2577 debuted around 1948–1949 and remained in production until about 1955. Early examples carry movement serial numbers in the 11–12 million range (late 1940s), and the latest known examples reach nearly 14 million by mid-1950s. This timeline aligns with Omega’s post-WWII initiative to create a durable gentleman’s watch that could handle water and shocks in daily use. By 1952–1953 the reference was produced in very large quantities, solidifying its place as a core Seamaster model of the era. (Notably, Omega’s official vintage registry cites 1949 as the introduction year for ref. 2577, while other sources including the Omega collectors’ book AJTT suggest late 1948. In practice, the model was available by 1949, with continuous production through the first half of the 1950s.)

Case Materials and Design

The Seamaster 2577 was offered in a variety of case materials to suit different markets and price points. Stainless steel was the standard (Omega code “CK 2577”), but Omega also produced this reference in gold-capped (yellow gold layer on steel) and in solid gold cases (both 14k and 18k, in yellow or rose gold) Despite sharing the same reference number, the case design evolved during its production run:

• Lugs: Early cases (up to c.1951) had relatively thin, tapered lugs without bevels, and featured visible spring-bar holes on the lug sides. Later in the production (roughly mid-1952 onward, around serial ~13.7 million), the lugs became thicker (“beefy”) with a pronounced beveled edge along the outer profile. Gold-capped versions followed the same transition slightly later, whereas solid gold cases were a different story – they started out with slightly thicker lugs than steel, but never adopted the later beveled style. Thus, an 18k Seamaster 2577 from 1954 might still have the older smooth lug profile, whereas a steel 2577 from the same year shows the beefy, faceted lugs.
• Case Size: The case diameter was around 34–35mm, a generous size for the era, with a thick screw-back design. The bezel is relatively wide and flat, especially on later “beefy lug” examples, which gives the watch a robust appearance. All versions used a screw-in case back to ensure water-tightness.
• Crown: Omega fitted the ref. 2577 with a distinctive “clover”-style crown (sometimes called a Naiad crown in Omega literature) throughout the model’s run. This crown has a scalloped, flower-like shape and was designed to maintain water resistance (though it is a push-in crown, not a screw-down). The clover crown was the only correct style for original 2577s, and originals have the vintage flat-foot Omega logo on them.

Dial Variations

One of the most fascinating aspects of the 2577 is the extensive variety of dial designs and layouts it came with. Collectors have documented over “100 variations” of dials in this reference. Key variations include:

• Presence of “Seamaster” Name: Interestingly, the earliest Seamaster 2577 dials did not actually say “Seamaster” on the dial at all. These late-1940s pieces (very scarce, serial ~11.5 million) simply bore the Omega symbol and name, with no model designation. By around early 1950, Omega added the “Seamaster” script to the dial. On early 1950s versions, “Seamaster” initially appeared on the upper half of the dial, beneath the Omega logo. This continued until roughly the 12.6–13.2 million serial range. After that (mid-production onward), the dial design shifted to place the “Seamaster” text on the lower half of the dial (above the 6 o’clock position) on all standard versions. Thus, mid-to-late production 2577s have the familiar configuration with Seamaster at the bottom. (Note: Chronometer-certified versions were an exception – see below.)
• Logo and Scripts: All 2577 dials featured an applied metal Omega logo (Ω) at 12 o’clock, usually in the same material/tone as the hour markers (gold on gold models, steel on steel, etc.). The wording “Swiss” or “Swiss Made” appears at the very bottom of the dial (6 o’clock position), except on some dials intended for certain markets which might say “Fab. Suisse”.
• Hour Markers: A mix of configurations was offered. Many dials have applied faceted batons or triangular markers at the hours, often with luminous radium plots. Some variants use Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9, 12 positions, either in a simple font or an elegant Breguet style (with curling serifs) on certain deluxe versions ([ 1952 Omega Seamaster Ref. 2577-6 SC With ‘Waffle’ Dial. It was common to see mixed layouts like triangular markers plus numerals at the quarters, or all applied arrowhead markers. Early dials sometimes featured painted “mirror” numerals (high-polish printed numbers) which were later replaced by fully applied metal numerals in subsequent iterations. In all cases, the dials maintained a clean and balanced 1950s dress watch aesthetic despite the diversity.
• Dial Color and Finish: The reference 2577 came with dials in various colors and textures. Silvered/white dials were most typical, often with either a matte or subtle two-tone finish. Black dials were produced as well (these tend to be rarer and sought after by collectors). A hallmark of the era, Omega offered textured dials in this reference: examples include the famed “waffle” or honeycomb dial (a crisscross guilloché texture that creates small waffle-like squares), hobnail (clous-de-Paris) patterns, and even an uncommon “golf ball” dial with a dimpled texture. These textured dials add dimension and visual interest, and were often paired with distinctive markers. For instance, one 1952 cataloged variant has a white waffle dial with applied gold Breguet numerals at the quarters ([ 1952 Omega Seamaster Ref. 2577-6 SC With ‘Waffle’ Dial. Another known variant features a black waffle dial with luminous triangular markers. In general, the Seamaster 2577 dials could be plain or two-tone, smooth or patterned – a surprisingly wide spectrum for a single reference.
• Chronometer Dials: A special subset of Seamaster 2577 were those equipped with chronometer-grade movements (Caliber 352 or adjusted 354, see below). These Chronometer versions usually carry additional text on the dial. Early chronometer dials typically have “Chronomètre” (French spelling) printed on the dial, often just below the Omega logo. On these, Omega often positioned “Seamaster” at 6 o’clock even in the early years, to accommodate the chronometer text on top. After about 1951, Omega began adding “Officially Certified” to the chronometer dials, so a late example might read “Omega Chronometer Officially Certified” (often arranged in multiple lines) in addition to the Seamaster name. For example, one known chronometer ref. 2577 has the Omega logo, then four lines of text indicating it’s an automatic chronometer (with “Officially Certified”), while “Seamaster” still appears separately at the bottom . These chronometer variants are comparatively rare and were usually in gold or gold-capped cases. They demonstrate Omega’s experimentation with dial layouts (one even sees layouts with “Seamaster” at top and “Chronometer” at bottom in some instances.

Movements (Calibers)

The Seamaster 2577 was powered by Omega’s early automatic movements, specifically the bumper (oscillating weight) automatics of the late 1940s/early ’50s. Over its production, the reference used three main caliber variants:

• Caliber 351: This was the non-chronometer automatic movement in the first series of Seamaster 2577 (17-jewel, bumper rotor). Cal.351 was part of Omega’s 28.10 series of automatics, re-designated as the 3xx series in 1949. It features central sweep seconds (indicated by the “SC” in the reference 2577-xx SC) and was used in the Seamaster from the start in 1948/49. The majority of regular (non-chronometer) Seamaster 2577s made from 1949 up to about 1952 carry the Omega 351 inside.
• Caliber 352 RG: This is the chronometer-rated version of Omega’s bumper movement, adjusted to higher precision. Early Seamaster chronometer pieces (often denoted on the dial as “Chronometer”) used Cal. 352, typically with the suffix “RG” on the movement indicating réglage général (adjusted in multiple positions) for chronometer standard. A Seamaster 2577 with cal.352 is a certified chronometer and would correspond to the special dials discussed above. These were produced in the same early timeframe (late 1940s to early ’50s) alongside the 351 versions.
• Caliber 354: Around 1952, Omega introduced Cal. 354, an updated bumper automatic that eventually replaced both the 351 and 352 in this reference. Caliber 354 could be made in both regular and chronometer grades, consolidating Omega’s production. In the Seamaster 2577, one sees cal.354 appear by the mid-13 million serial range (circa 1952) and used until the end of production. So, later Seamaster 2577 examples (1953–55) whether chronometer or not, often have a 354 under the hood. The specs of cal.354 were quite similar to 351 (bumping weight automatic, 17 or 19 jewels, 19,800 vph). The introduction of the 354 did not outwardly change the watch’s design, but it’s an important internal evolution – for instance, a 2577 with a 14 million-range serial (1954/55) would most likely have a cal.354 movement.

All these calibers are mechanical automatic bumpers with center seconds and no date. They featured innovations of the time like Incabloc shock protection and antimagnetic balance springs, aligning with the Seamaster’s philosophy of durability. Hand-winding was possible via the crown, though the watch would self-wind with wrist motion. The power reserve was on the order of ~40 hours. These movements helped cement Omega’s reputation for reliable automatics. (Side note: The sister reference 2576 was essentially the same watch but with a sub-seconds dial, typically housing Omega’s cal. 342 (sub-seconds bumper). The 2577, however, was defined by its center second “SC” design.)

Hands

Omega paired the 2577’s varied dials with appropriate handsets, almost always maintaining a consistent style: Dauphine hands were the standard. The hour and minute hands on most Seamaster 2577s are dauphine style – that is, faceted lance-shaped hands that widen from base to tip – usually with a lumen-filled groove down the middle for the radium luminous material. On watches with gold-tone markers, the hands are gold-colored (gilt or gold-plated) to match; on steel models, the hands are typically rhodium-plated steel. The dauphine hands often have a subtle crease along their center, enhancing reflectivity. The majority of 2577 examples, from simple to deluxe, use these dauphine hands, which were very popular in the early 1950s.

The seconds hand is a slim sweep hand. On lumed versions, the seconds hand sometimes has a small lume “pip” or tail, but more commonly it’s a simple polished needle. A few non-luminous dial variants (if any) might have all-polished hands without lume. In rare instances, some dial configurations (like those with Breguet numerals or certain non-luminous dress dials) could be seen with leaf-style hands instead – though by and large, dauphine was the go-to for Seamaster. For example, an original 2577 with a waffle dial and triangular markers will have matching dauphine hands with aged radium lume in them. Even the solid gold chronometer pieces retained dauphine hands; one 18K chronometer example from 1950 shows its original radium dauphine hands matching the dial patina ([

Caseback Designs and Other Notable Features

Caseback Engraving: The ref. 2577 featured a screw-in caseback that evolved in its markings over time. Early casebacks (late 1940s into early ’50s) were relatively plain externally – they had a subtle circular groove on the back and a circular brushed finish. These early backs did not have any Seamaster name or logo on the outside (the famous seahorse logo was not yet in use). As the model line developed, Omega introduced an engraved caseback: later 2577s have “SEAMASTER” in block capital letters engraved within a small framed cartouche on the caseback. When this was added, the circular brushing was discontinued in favor of an all-polished back. So a mid/late production example might have a shiny caseback with “Seamaster” text visible, whereas an early one would be blank (aside from wear and the seam between case and back).

An unusual variation appears on some late sub-references: the so-called “bubbleback” caseback. These casebacks are domed outward (more convex), without the groove or any inscription, giving a smooth bubble appearance. They were used on certain sub-reference numbers 2577-22, -23, -24 only. These are less common and might have been an attempt at a slightly slimmer profile or to accommodate movement changes. Solid gold versions again differ: gold Seamaster 2577 casebacks did not follow the exact steel progression – for example, many gold models never featured the “Seamaster” engraving on the outside. Gold casebacks often just show the gold hallmarks and reference numbers on the inner side.

Waterproofing: The original Seamaster was not a diver’s watch but was built to be “water resistant” for daily life – a novel selling point at the time. The 2577 was rated for 30 meters (3 ATM) water resistance when new. Omega achieved this with a screw-down (screw-in) caseback fitted with rubber gaskets, a robust crystal secured in the case (sometimes acrylic “Armourglass” with a tension ring), and the aforementioned clover crown with improved seals. Ads from 1950 boast of its “sturdy waterproof case” and “hermetic sealing” to protect the movement. Additionally, the Seamaster cases were designed to be shock-resistant and antimagnetic, meaning the movements had protective anti-shock jewels (Incabloc) and used non-magnetic materials to cope with the common hazards of wear. All these features were part of Omega’s drive to make a reliable all-purpose watch for gentlemen – essentially one of the first dress watches you could safely take swimming or wear during rugged activities. While 30m is a modest rating by modern standards, it underscored a new era of water-resistant everyday watches in the late 1940s.

Transitional Elements: Throughout its production, the Seamaster 2577 serves as a window into Omega’s design transitions. For instance, the movement upgrade from caliber 351 to 354 in 1952 coincides with dial marking changes (the introduction of “Officially Certified” on chronometers). The shift of the Seamaster logo from dial top to bottom around 1952 and the change to thicker, beveled lugs in ’52–’53 reflect Omega’s evolving aesthetic mid-century. Yet, certain things remained constant: the clover crown persisted, and the overall case silhouette stayed true to the original 1948 concept. By 1955, the ref. 2577 was phased out as Omega introduced newer Seamaster models (including the Seamaster 300 for divers and other references with updated movements). Still, the legacy of ref. 2577 is that it established the classic Seamaster look: a blend of elegance and ruggedness that would define the line.