Description
Manufactured in the late 1950s, the 2938-3SC belongs to a transitional period in Omega’s history, where the Seamaster was evolving from a refined water-resistant dress watch into a more versatile tool-oriented timepiece. At 36mm, the stainless steel case was unusually large for its time, giving it a bolder presence on the wrist than many of its contemporaries. The long faceted lugs curve elegantly down, making it wear both slim and assertive — a perfect balance between form and function.
Yet what truly elevates this piece is the dial. Originally a deep gloss black, the surface has aged into a warm, speckled tropical texture, evoking the kind of honest patina that only decades of natural exposure can create. Under direct light, flecks of gold and chocolate play across the dial’s surface, pairing beautifully with the gilt Omega logo, ‘Seamaster’ script, and hour markers — all executed in applied gold tone. It is this interplay between material and time that collectors covet: no two examples age alike, and few age this well.
Powering this Seamaster is the manually wound Omega calibre 264, part of the revered 30mm movement family — celebrated for its durability, simple architecture, and ease of service. The 264 is a direct descendant of calibres used in Omega’s military and civilian tool watches throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Here, it speaks not only to mechanical reliability but also to the brand’s thoughtful continuity in engineering.
Despite its rarity, the 2938-3SC with a black gilt dial remains an underappreciated reference outside seasoned collector circles. Most surviving examples from this reference line feature silvered or champagne dials — more conservative, less prone to aging, but also less expressive. The black gilt variants were produced in significantly lower numbers, and many that remain have suffered from aggressive refinishing or dial damage over time. That this example remains intact, with its gilt text legible and dial evenly aged, is a testament to both care and provenance.
On the wrist, the watch sings. It is elegant without pretense, aged without fragility, and rare without ostentation. It offers the kind of vintage character that simply cannot be replicated — a quiet presence that invites attention not by shouting, but by whispering something intriguing to those who know what to look for.
This Omega Seamaster 2938-3SC isn’t merely a timepiece. It’s a record of taste, of evolution, and of restraint — a mid-century artifact that rewards those who understand the subtlety of a dial’s fade, the honesty of original components, and the enduring appeal of Omega’s golden age of watchmaking.
What we love:
- Uncommon dial variation
- Beautifully sized case
What you should know:
- Unless otherwise stated, it is common for vintage watches to not come with box and papers. In the rare example that a watch does come with box and papers it will be mentioned in the description. All purchases come with a bespoke black wooden watch box and warranty card.
- Crown has been replaced for an original Omega crown in a recent service.
