24hr dial pocket watch - comments please

Hi,

I have an Omega pocket watch that, based on the quantity of the Great Googles returned results seems to be rather rare, but to be honest, I have absolutely no idea so thought my best chance of getting any accurate information would be from yourselves...

I believe it's either a 15 or 17 Jewel 19LB in a silver case with gilt work, it's in working order and in what I consider to be reasonable condition; others may disagree as the crystal has a small scratch.

The dial has a grey shade to the lower half and points of the compass and I believe it dates from around the 1920's.

I would love to find out any more information or history about this model, such as how many were made, the type of box it would have originally been sold in, for what markets they were intended and a rough estimate of its value (although I have no intention of selling it unless I swap for some other horological curio) if anyone can help please? I would also like to obtain copies of any sales literature that it appeared in and basically any information will be gratefully received.

I ultimately want to put together a full information pack for the next and future owners.

Thanks in advance for any help, advice or discussions that could help my fledgling knowledge.

SUD is south and NORD is north. Compass watch.

Thanks for the bump - I know there are at least 2 others so could be a small run As for the dial, once you get used to a 24Hr dial they are easy to read, but it does take a bit of time to do so

I agree about the cardinals, but why were they made? Especially with the 24hr dial

You put a stick on the center of the crystal perpendicular and align its shadow with the hour hand. The rest is left as an exercise for the student.

Yes, it is a ‘compass watch’. Yes, it is a 19’’’LOB. Difficult to describe ‘rarity’ because they are to be found (I have several). Described in the Omega book. AJTT p.460. It’s nice to see an apparently undamaged dial – the enamel is sadly often damaged. Not exclusively but I think they may be have been popular in Sweden (have seen several advertised there). Maybe because of the market they were intended for, I think the cases were typically silver (with decorated casebacks): all the versions I have seen have had silver cases.

The ‘compass’ function works by pointing the hour hand towards the sun (if you can see it!), which then orientates the watch to function as a compass.
The Omega 24-hour watch dated about 1910 (even a bit earlier), but these ‘compass’ versions appeared in about 1924 – but I guess this one is late twenties, even 1930.

Regarding a ‘full information pack’, wouldn’t we all?!
Your next step might be to apply for an ‘Extract from the Archives’ from Omega (on their Heritage website) – which could confirm what I have written, give you date of production and possibly the client to whom it was delivered.