| Author | Message | ||
     Woodpigeon New member Username: Woodpigeon Post Number: 1 Registered: 08-2010 Rating: N/A |
Dear Forum, I was given as a gift an Omega wrist watch. It came with the original purchaser's receipt and warranty documentation. The watch was originally purchased in 1944, however, the movement number suggests that the watch was manufactured in 1902. I have tried the Omega Vintage Watch Database, but to no avail. According to the original receipt, the watch is 9K gold (although no indication of whether solid or plated). I suspect the bracelet is not original, as it states "Gold Plated 20 microns", a unit of measurement not implemented until the 1960s. Also the back is not engraved, embossed, or inscribed with anything at all. Could the watch be fake? Or is it just very old? I have attached photos below and would be very grateful for any information. Many thanks (Only one of the images below seems to be working, could anybody suggest how this can be remedied?)    | ||
| Woodpigeon New member Username: Woodpigeon Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2010 Rating: N/A |
Other images:   | ||
| Woodpigeon New member Username: Woodpigeon Post Number: 3 Registered: 08-2010 Rating: N/A |
Apologies, images in original post now appear to be working. Also, error in thread title, should read c.1902, not c.1920. Additional information: the 1944 receipt/warranty document states that the reference number for this watch is BL5115002, however, typing this into the Omega Vintage Watch Database yields nothing. | ||
| Gregb Advanced Member Username: Gregb Post Number: 295 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
You're expecting the Omega Vintage Database to contain all the models Omega made. It doesn't. Not even close. It is a work in progress and the Omega vintage historians try to expand it as time allows, but 2 of the manufacture's lead historians, Marco Richon and John Dieter, have retired recently, so the database is unlikely to receive much attention for awhile. There were several casemakers that supplied watch cases for Omega over the years: http://users.tpg.com.au/mondodec//Full_list_%20Swiss_Gold_responsibility_marks.p df Many of these casemakers were local to the market where the watches were distributed to reduce import duties or to comply with local gold import laws. Each marketplace had different karating standards for "solid gold": 14K for the U.S., 18K for Europe and 9K for the UK. The 9K cases like yours were specifically made for the British market (most were made by Dennison). These watches resembled models sold in other markets, but the case reference numbers were often different and its rare to find these reference numbers in the Omega Vintage Database. In fact, I think the database only shows one 9K model despite the fact that thousands of different 9K models were made over the years. I think you're looking at the wrong number in trying to date production of your watch. The serial number is printed on the watch movement, located inside the case. It is not the same number as the case number, which you are using. Your watch is clearly from the 1940s, judging from the case styling. Early 1900s Omegas (you speculated 1902 or 1920 in your earlier post) looked nothing like your watch... the case & dial styling on both these eras of early Omegas was much, much different than your watch. If you have the info from the original bill of sale, I would trust it, as it appears correct from what I see. | ||
| Woodpigeon New member Username: Woodpigeon Post Number: 4 Registered: 08-2010 Rating: N/A |
Thanks for your reply Greg! Is it unusual that the back of the watch isn't embossed or engraved? | ||
| Gregb Advanced Member Username: Gregb Post Number: 297 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
1940s was before Seamasters, Constellations and other special models that had emblems on the back. The outside back on a 1940s watch will be plain. Inside markings will vary by casemaker, but will always have the Omega logo, gold assay marks and case code. | ||
| Gatorcpa Intermediate Member Username: Gatorcpa Post Number: 103 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
Omega's first watch with a date window wasn't produced until a few years after WWII, around 1950. This would be the automatic Seamaster Calendar with the date window at 6 o'clock. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/gatorcpa/Watch%20Photos/Omega%20Seamaster% 20Calendar/SeamasterCalendar.jpg Your watch looks more like a mid-1960's UK-market manual-wind watch. Here is a link to a website with a 1966 catalog that features a few models very similar to (but not exactly the same as) yours. http://www.old-omegas.com/catuk66.html A close up of the picture I'm referring to can be found here: http://www.old-omegas.com/pics/catuk66/p35.jpg The special UK-only model number would be BL511.5002. I know that "BL" means 9K gold in Omega-speak. The rest, I'm not sure about. The Old-Omegas.com website has a wealth of information on what else, old Omega watches. The Omega Vintage Database is pretty much useless for watches with cases produced outside of Switzerland. Same is true for export models produced for the USA, France and Argentina. All had special model numbers assigned by the import company or the case manufacturer, not Omega. Hope this helps, gatorcpa | ||
| Gregb Advanced Member Username: Gregb Post Number: 303 Registered: 10-2006 Rating: N/A |
Great catch on the date window, gatorcpa. I hadn't paid much attention to the date and was blinded by Occam's razor... the purchase receipt supposedly paired with the watch. Obviously it wasn't 1902 or 1920 as the OP supposed because of the case styling. I made the (incorrect) assumption that the receipt was original without considering that the watch had a date window... dumb on my part, as I jumped to a conclusion without really looking at the the watch. Thanks Evan! | ||
| Gatorcpa Intermediate Member Username: Gatorcpa Post Number: 104 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
No problem, Greg. I see you had the same case of insomnia on the West coast that I was experiencing in the East. Take care, gatorcpa | ||
| Gatorcpa Intermediate Member Username: Gatorcpa Post Number: 105 Registered: 11-2006 Rating: N/A |
One last point. I believe that the bracelet was likely installed by the dealer at the point of sale. Looks contemporary to the watch. This UK sales brochure specifically mentions bracelet options: http://www.old-omegas.com/pics/catuk64/p34.jpg gatorcpa |