Help me identify this Omega ( 1950-1960)
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Looks like a vintage Seamaster Automatic Small Seconds.
https://www.vintage-portfolio.com/shop/omega/seamaster/vintage-omega-seamaster-automatic-small-seconds/
Looks like a vintage Seamaster Automatic Small Seconds.
https://www.vintage-portfolio.com/shop/omega/seamaster/vintage-omega-seamaster-automatic-small-seconds/
That seems to be it! Thanks a ton.
It’s likely not a Seamaster as this was usually indicated on either the dial or caseback. It’s also not an automatic, but manually wound.
You can actually very closely estimate the year of manufacturing by looking up the serial number. Yours starts with 17…, so it was likely made in 1959.
Seamaster or not, still a very cool watch and in full 18k gold very desirable.
It’s likely not a Seamaster as this was usually indicated on either the dial or caseback. It’s also not an automatic, but manually wound.
You can actually very closely estimate the year of manufacturing by looking up the serial number. Yours starts with 17…, so it was likely made in 1959.
Seamaster or not, still a very cool watch and in full 18k gold very desirable.
Yes it is a manual wind, and keeps very good time. I had it on my wrist for a week, and it may be gained 10sec (compared with my cell phone). I was told it was serviced at major service center in Ohio, and all parts are still original. The case unfortunately was polished a few decades ago. I love the watch.. although my wife seems to be wearing it more often.
Yes it is a manual wind, and keeps very good time. I had it on my wrist for a week, and it may be gained 10sec (compared with my cell phone). I was told it was serviced at major service center in Ohio, and all parts are still original. The case unfortunately was polished a few decades ago. I love the watch.. although my wife seems to be wearing it more often.
Hey man, getting the wife involved in your watch passion is a big plus 😀
Mine now has 3 watches herself (all vintage pieces in great condition like yours), which she wears regularly and it helps me justify other purchases.
Hey man, getting the wife involved in your watch passion is a big plus 😀
Mine now has 3 watches herself (all vintage pieces in great condition like yours), which she wears regularly and it helps me justify other purchases.
Those words "Oh that looks pretty" means I just lost that battle.
Looks like a vintage Omega Tresor
Here's a similar example https://www.barnebys.com/auctions/lot/omega-tresor-18k-solid-gold-2896-1-men-1960-1969-kmxDJU3wGg
Looks like a vintage Seamaster Automatic Small Seconds.
https://www.vintage-portfolio.com/shop/omega/seamaster/vintage-omega-seamaster-automatic-small-seconds/
Can't be that. OP's watch is hand-wound. Also, cannot be a Seamaster, due to having a non-waterproof case. 1950s Seamasters had gasketed press-in backs with a tall collar or screw-in backs, as well as a hermetic crown. This has neither of these key features.
If any "named" collection, this could be a Geneve - from before it became Omega's entry-level collection. The dial with that particular design and layout, complete with the logo and Omega name applied, is characteristic for Geneves of the 1950s.
What really has me confused is that reference number - 2640. Doing a quick look-up, the reference belongs to a model with an entirely different lug design - and keep in mind that the reference designates particularly the case, combined with particular calibres.
The ONLY 2640 like that shows as sold at TrueFacet...and it's this very watch, can easily tell that by every blemish. Especially that at 1 o'clock off the Omega stamp
And all the 2640s showing up online have the sweep-second cal. 283. This is a sub-second 267.
Have also looked up a case back by the same foundry - poincon de maitre 170 in a hammerhead frame stands for Charles Dubois & Cie.
Here are other case backs by this case maker from the same period (specimens found online for reference purposes):
The "FAB SUISSE SWISS MADE" engraving on the OP case back looks entirely different. Frankly, the looks of it are rather modern and way different from the fonts of other gold backs from not only the same foundry, but just about every 1950s and 1960s Omega I've seen.
I don't think it's a redial, and that dial likely belongs with that movement, but frankly, the case smells fishy like a truckload of mackerel of second freshness.
If any "named" collection, this could be a Geneve - from before it became Omega's entry-level collection. The dial with that particular design and layout, complete with the logo and Omega name applied, is characteristic for Geneves of the 1950s.
What really has me confused is that reference number - 2640. Doing a quick look-up, the reference belongs to a model with an entirely different lug design - and keep in mind that the reference designates particularly the case, combined with particular calibres.
The ONLY 2640 like that shows as sold at TrueFacet...and it's this very watch, can easily tell that by every blemish. Especially that at 1 o'clock off the Omega stamp
And all the 2640s showing up online have the sweep-second cal. 283. This is a sub-second 267.
Have also looked up a case back by the same foundry - poincon de maitre 170 in a hammerhead frame stands for Charles Dubois & Cie.
Here are other case backs by this case maker from the same period (specimens found online for reference purposes):
The "FAB SUISSE SWISS MADE" engraving on the OP case back looks entirely different. Frankly, the looks of it are rather modern and way different from the fonts of other gold backs from not only the same foundry, but just about every 1950s and 1960s Omega I've seen.
I don't think it's a redial, and that dial likely belongs with that movement, but frankly, the case smells fishy like a truckload of mackerel of second freshness.
Are you suggesting this is a "franken" watch? which would imho make this watch even more interesting to own. Coz 18k case and movement of unknown origin stamped Omega. If this is a fake that is a lot of trouble for not much return.
Are you suggesting this is a "franken" watch? which would imho make this watch even more interesting to own. Coz 18k case and movement of unknown origin stamped Omega. If this is a fake that is a lot of trouble for not much return.
Yes, IMO it is a franken. The movement and dial are original Omega components. The evidence points at the case being fake.
Vintage Omegas were faked like that for years already, when the prices were a fraction of today's.
Here's a post about fake Constellation cases - and Desmond's blog covers fake cases in a lot of detail.
http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2007/04/fake-18k-gold-constellation-cases.html?m=1
You can see what trouble do fakers consider worth it just to sell on eBay. And looking at TrueFacet prices, whoever made this has made a tidy profit. If it's been worth the trouble for that kind for north of a decade already, it's even more worth it for them now.
Yes, IMO it is a franken. The movement and dial are original Omega components. The evidence points at the case being fake.
Vintage Omegas were faked like that for years already, when the prices were a fraction of today's.
Here's a post about fake Constellation cases - and Desmond's blog covers fake cases in a lot of detail.
http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2007/04/fake-18k-gold-constellation-cases.html?m=1
You can see what trouble do fakers consider worth it just to sell on eBay. And looking at TrueFacet prices, whoever made this has made a tidy profit. If it's been worth the trouble for that kind for north of a decade already, it's even more worth it for them now.
TBH I like the piece a lot, and it's on my wife's wrist most of the time. I don't sell or trade, I buy and wear, and she is getting a lot of enjoyment out of it. To me its even more interesting to own at this point with the element of mystery of is it franken or not. I did not pay a lot of money for it, and I probably will help take this particular scam off the market if this is indeed a franken.
TBH I like the piece a lot, and it's on my wife's wrist most of the time. I don't sell or trade, I buy and wear, and she is getting a lot of enjoyment out of it. To me its even more interesting to own at this point with the element of mystery of is it franken or not. I did not pay a lot of money for it, and I probably will help take this particular scam off the market if this is indeed a franken.
The only way of finally verifying it that I can think of is ordering an extract from Omega's archives. Good news is that they'll tell you all the details they have about a watch with a particular movement serial number. Bad news is that they charge money for it.
If you'd want a second opinion, maybe ask Desmond from the Omega Constellation Collectors blog. Bottom line, given the excellent research work he's been doing since well before I got into watches, I trust his judgement and expertise.
In any event, it's good that this piece is off the market. I'm pretty sure of my assessment of it, and I can only be sorry that I had to give you the bad news. If you decide to get said second opinions, I can only hope I was wrong.
Another good thing: at least it's not a total fake, and it's good-looking.
The only way of finally verifying it that I can think of is ordering an extract from Omega's archives. Good news is that they'll tell you all the details they have about a watch with a particular movement serial number. Bad news is that they charge money for it.
If you'd want a second opinion, maybe ask Desmond from the Omega Constellation Collectors blog. Bottom line, given the excellent research work he's been doing since well before I got into watches, I trust his judgement and expertise.
In any event, it's good that this piece is off the market. I'm pretty sure of my assessment of it, and I can only be sorry that I had to give you the bad news. If you decide to get said second opinions, I can only hope I was wrong.
Another good thing: at least it's not a total fake, and it's good-looking.
The story so far that you have laid out has been very entertaining, like you said franken or not its a good looking watch, and it will never see the 2ndry market again. If I have the itch later I might spend the money and get the ordering extract from Omega. As is I will always be thinking of this thread and your investigation and analysis everytime I or mrs wears this piece. Thank you @MrBloke appreciate all your help.
The only way of finally verifying it that I can think of is ordering an extract from Omega's archives. Good news is that they'll tell you all the details they have about a watch with a particular movement serial number. Bad news is that they charge money for it.
If you'd want a second opinion, maybe ask Desmond from the Omega Constellation Collectors blog. Bottom line, given the excellent research work he's been doing since well before I got into watches, I trust his judgement and expertise.
In any event, it's good that this piece is off the market. I'm pretty sure of my assessment of it, and I can only be sorry that I had to give you the bad news. If you decide to get said second opinions, I can only hope I was wrong.
Another good thing: at least it's not a total fake, and it's good-looking.
Have no doubt your assessment is spot-on. In all the years i have known Bloke, he has never missed the mark on vintage watch authenticity.
Vintage is a veritable minefield of Frankens and fakes. Takes serious research, dedication and patience to keep from getting fleeced. Too many times folks pay top dollar when the dealer knows they are misrepresenting what they are selling.
Still a good looking watch.
The story so far that you have laid out has been very entertaining, like you said franken or not its a good looking watch, and it will never see the 2ndry market again. If I have the itch later I might spend the money and get the ordering extract from Omega. As is I will always be thinking of this thread and your investigation and analysis everytime I or mrs wears this piece. Thank you @MrBloke appreciate all your help.
You're welcome!