This vintage Omega Seamaster 354 “Bumper” Automatic underwent a full service to restore its function and reliability. As the movement was disassembled, it became clear that it had been quite some time since its last service—despite the sealed case, years of use had allowed dirt and degraded oil to build up throughout the movement. Each component was thoroughly cleaned and inspected, revealing that, beneath the grime, the movement remained in excellent condition with minimal wear. The mainspring was replaced with a genuine Omega new old stock spring, ensuring proper power delivery and consistent performance. After careful reassembly and lubrication with modern synthetic oils, the movement was regulated and tested, bringing this early automatic bumper movement back to strong, reliable operation while preserving its vintage integrity.
The case of this Omega Seamaster 354 “Bumper” Automatic was gently buffed to preserve its vintage character, and the crystal was replaced to improve clarity and overall presentation. The original hands were retained and carefully re-lumed to restore visibility while maintaining authenticity. On the timing machine, the movement performed exceptionally well, showing a rate of approximately -5 seconds per week in the face-up position, with only minor variation in other positions. Will it maintain this exact rate in everyday use? Likely not—even modern quartz watches can fluctuate by a couple of seconds per day. For a vintage mechanical watch, a daily variation of 2 to 5 seconds is typical after proper servicing. That said, Omega’s engineering is excellent, and it wouldn’t be surprising if this watch continues to perform impressively close to that benchmark in regular wear.
For more information on initiating the repair of your Vintage Omega see getting started, and additional information on Omega servicing in general. Further reading: Choosing where to have your watch repaired.
Omega Bumper Automatic History
The Omega Seamaster 354 “Bumper” Automatic is a classic example of Omega’s early automatic watchmaking, produced in the 1950s during the post-war era of innovation and refinement. Named for its distinctive bumper winding mechanism, which uses a semi-rotor that “bumps” back and forth against spring-loaded buffers, the Caliber 354 was part of Omega’s first generation of automatic movements. These watches were housed in water-resistant Seamaster cases—often in stainless steel or gold—with clean, mid-century dial designs. Durable, practical, and stylish, the Seamaster 354 helped establish Omega’s reputation for high-quality automatic wristwatches and remains a beloved choice among vintage collectors today.