A Big Story for a Big Watch!

Dear Respectable Members

Most grateful if anyone who chime in on this piece which is currently listed on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/304336861458

This seems rather unusual - does anyone have any experience of these? Also have attached images below.

Allowances must be made for the fact that Omega did produce ‘specials’ - which didn’t follow the usual production. In spite of that, there are some surprising features:

1. The Omega 30’’’ movements were never signed. In my opinion, the Omega signature on the movement has been added (not difficult - I own one myself which has been similarly modified!).

2. The late Omega 30’’’ dials (later than this watch) were signed - but not with this font. In my opinion, this Omega signature has been added (not difficult). Unlike the ‘8 DAYS’ (which has been fired onto the enamel), this ‘Omega’ signature could be removed with spirits.

3. The minute hand is not original for an Omega 30’’’.

4. These watches were never gold plated - but of course a watch could have been specially prepared for a special customer. However, there are parts here which have been plated which would never usually be plated. Furthermore, since the watch is over 115 years old, it is surprising that there appear to be no scratches.

5. Even more surprising (in that case) are the scratches which appear on either the dial or the crystal (in the first image shown). That image is reproduced here with more contrast to show those scratches. If the scratches are on the crystal, it is presumably a plastic replacement (how could glass become so scratched on a watch that otherwise shows no scratches?). And how could even the plastic become so scratched?!

6. Regarding the (very elegant) work on the caseback, a prospective buyer is encouraged to look at the other (similar) items that the seller offers.

7. The movement appears to be original and in good condition. The Omega 30’’’ is not a rare watch - for a ‘regular’ (nickel-alloy) version in this condition, a seller might hope to get $500 - the $9,500 premium for the provenance claimed by the seller would therefore be worth checking!

But... it's pretty.

This eBay seller is known for home made enhancements, engravings, fictional dreamed up provenances etc, virtually all the pocket watches he lists have recently reproduced poor quality painted dials copying historical people or scenes, and the rears with ridiculous soldered on memento mori nonsense. The enhancements are literally five minutes old, he probably does them himself - you could ask him to make you one up - Admiral Nelson's Omega eight day perhaps?

Looks like he finds historical pictures, parts of other near worthless antiques, casts multiple if needed, solders them on and gold plates over, since it all has the same shitty style and quality.

The skull watches he lists are cheaply cast copies, aged, enhanced in various ways, the finish quality is nothing like real ones, which are of course actually rare, or once were, a decade go I saw a dealer with 50 silver skull cases / chains in a plastic laundry basket in the boot of his car, all freshly cast in Thailand.

Oh and don't forget everything is very rare important and from his amazing private collection!

In case you cannot tell I find this seller a very annoying liar, you should not buy any of his bullshit products.

/end of rant

I have a couple of these oversized eight day pieces. Often they were supplied in a case or a stand to be used as a travel or desk clock, later they were sold with a screw off bezel so they could be fitted into a panel, such as on an early automobile dash. Both of mine are un-named (as I think this one should be) and are worth very little even though they are in good shape. I paid $300 CDN for the one, which was too much, and $75 for the second, both were serviced before I purchased them.

run away.