Nugget gold making a comeback? - Custom Vintage Omega Day-Date
Crunchers-
Thanks to all the interest in my welcome post, here's some more pics of my nugget Omega. I'm fully expecting this thread to become the purple-dial trend thread for 2023...
Here's what I know about the watch, which isn't much:
My grandfather bought it in the early 70s, which was probably the last time this kind of jewelry was all the rage (I don't know, I'm too young to remember the 80s, so you tell me). My grandpa was definitely into it, trendsetter that he was, so he bought this "gents Omega" from B.C. Clarke jewelers in Oklahoma City and took it to a Mr. John Jordan of Jordan Jewels (also in OKC) to get the solid gold bracelet added to it. The 70s were a good time to be in the oil industry in Oklahoma and Texas, which I guess means people actually wore this kind of thing, haha. He was a landman, which (for our foreign Crunchers) is basically a broker who acquires oil drilling rights and re-sells them to oil companies.
I inherited it in ~2007. I personally love it for what it is - a vintage throwback and a reminder of my grandfather. It's got a great patina and is definitely a conversation piece, but is pretty awkward on my small wrists and doesn't actually run well, so it doesn't get worn much. My grandma also said the nugget gold used to wear holes through all of my grandpa's shirt cuffs, so there's that too 😂
I've tried Googling the numbers on the receipt and haven't turned up much. Any of our resident Omega experts know what the original donor watch was?
-Nate
Making poor financial decisions on the reg.
First off, that’s amazing. It’s such a product of a specific time and place, I feel like you don’t see that often. Sure there are types of watch that started as answers to specific questions, but they usually adopted a common appearance. This seems to be the answer to the question “how’s business these days?” and that’s the kind of question that can have so many answers. Obviously it’s great that it was given to you by a family member too.
I wanted to ask, do you know what kind of band it was on originally? Because it sure looks like the whole thing would have come together. Unless the Gold was added to the case and bracelet by a jeweler? However it happened, I think it’s pretty great.
It's a unique piece for sure ☺️ Can't help with any info, but you got the story of the watch and that's way more exciting than some specs and dates!!
Others will have a more informed opinion than me, but it looks like a 1970s ish Omega Seamaster. Ref 1660209 seems the closest.
I don't know if you want to open the back but that could offer additional information.
Ah yes a watch with a gold nugget bracelet is definitely reminiscent of the oil boom era. Quite a conversation piece for sure and the story behind it is neat. Also find it neat that it came from BC Clark and your grandfather kept the receipts. BTW the case and description on the BC Clark receipt lead me to believe it was your Omega was similar to this one.
So cool. So over the top. Enjoy it!
How authentically garish and ostentatious, in an oddly retro way! I have nothing to add besides awe and questions about resizablility and "doesn't actually run well."
Awesome watch!
Makes my Sicilian heart pound faster just looking at it. Total Sopranos-style that watch.
Here is an image of Frank Calabrese Sr's watch
Just to confirm my love for that style - here are a couple of watches that I have in the collection:
Vacheron Tiger-eye
Patek Calatrava
Wow was your granddad into Liberace ??!!
Wow was your granddad into Liberace ??!!
Very nice and there's that personal connection to make it even better.
I do remember pieces like this as a child. Not sure if there will be a comeback. This is a keepsake for all the reasons you shared. Wear and enjoy !
I remember this style for sure when I was a kid in the 70’s. Gold was set at $35/ounce by the feds from the 30’s to about 1972, so it was possible for even someone not at the level of a land man to be able to have a custom gold nugget bracelet made for the watch.
Bonkers. And 18k in ‘73? Must be like 1/2 million today.
It’s like a gold watch version of Ben Grimm from Fantastic four
Others will have a more informed opinion than me, but it looks like a 1970s ish Omega Seamaster. Ref 1660209 seems the closest.
I don't know if you want to open the back but that could offer additional information.
I agree that one seems pretty close! If my caseback opener is the right size, I'll open it up and post some interior pics this weekend.
How authentically garish and ostentatious, in an oddly retro way! I have nothing to add besides awe and questions about resizablility and "doesn't actually run well."
Totally! I have a couple of extra links for it so it must be resizable, but I'm guessing it involves some soldering.
When it was first given to me, it didn't run at all. I took it to a local jewelry repair shop (mistake) and they got it working. I'm no watchmaker, but I think the problem now is that the hands will sometimes skip forward or back when I wear it, almost like a gear is stripped or something. If someone knows a quality independent Omega shop, I've been meaning to send it in to have someone look at it.
Awesome watch!
Makes my Sicilian heart pound faster just looking at it. Total Sopranos-style that watch.
Here is an image of Frank Calabrese Sr's watch
Just to confirm my love for that style - here are a couple of watches that I have in the collection:
Vacheron Tiger-eye
Patek Calatrava
Wow! Those are all great but that Vacheron is 🔥
Do you wear those day to day or just for special occasions?
Bonkers. And 18k in ‘73? Must be like 1/2 million today.
It’s like a gold watch version of Ben Grimm from Fantastic four
😂 That pic is so spot on...
I think you might be off a decimal or two on the price though, haha. I'm pretty sure the watch was $175 plus tax, so ~$1200 in today's money... this was back before Omega went way upmarket.
Wow! Those are all great but that Vacheron is 🔥
Do you wear those day to day or just for special occasions?
Thanks! My daughter loves the Vacheron and wants it. I'll gift it to her once I know she can properly take care of it. The Tiger Eye dial is unique (as all of them are) and this is a really special one.
Specific occasions - for business - board meetings, etc. and for personal - weddings. etc.
Very hard to wear these watches as daily drivers as you don't want to damage the gold and I am super picky about keeping my watches as close to NOS condition as possibe.
If ever there was a watch that needed an urgent trip to the drop-in STI clinic, this is it! Seriously though it's a fantastic piece of 70's bling. Your grandpops was a total baller!
No, no, no, no...