A rare beast indeed...... omega XVI Olympic but reference 2984

Evening all

happy new year to one and all. I’ve been off the scene for a while but not reigniting my vintage watch passion.

first purchase of 2020, probably also my last

I’ve long hankered after an Olympic XVI but every single one I have even seen other than @mac_omega has been massively polished

saw this today and it sparked my interest, now, here is the interesting bit! It’s an XVI but note the standard hippocampus logo and not the Olympic logo on the case back, reference 2984 and cal 501 (as opposed to the 2850 reference and cal 471 of the earlier watch). First impression was Franken but I’m convinced it’s not. Firstly seen three other identical examples and secondly watch is too consistently good to be cobbled together

I have done some research and been able to find only three other identical examples, including one that sold at Antiquorum in 1999

https://catalog.antiquorum.swiss/en/lots/omega-lot-56-272

There is also another identical example for sale through watch-garage but in no where near this condition (in relation to the case)

https://watch-garage.com/products/omega-seamaster-xvi-melbourne-olympic-games-ref-315-164

Here is the one from today, I think it’s pretty conclusive that it’s all original and not messed with and I guess the last iteration of the XVI?

Note the dial on all examples, with printed omega script as opposed to attached logo and two tone dial finish, this again is the same as the antiqorum watch and the watch-garage example.

Thought it was well worth sharing as expanding knowledge. Sharing new things is what’s the community is all about




would welcome others thoughts but my take is that this appears to be one final incarnation of the 1956 watch, made a couple of years later in the successor reference of 2984 but with one final version of the XVI dial

Very cool

This same watch popped up on eBay earlier and then soon disappeared.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mens-Watch-OMEGA-Seamaster-XVI-Automatic-Gold-Watch-18kt-750-Gold-Top-/202888293752?hash=item2f3d15ad78:g:Oe4AAOSwyWFeLWM0&nma=true&si=q%2FS57aZJeFCzyPWqXY2rfZRAi4s%3D&orig_cvip=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

When’s it due?

Indeed, the guy was open to offers via the make an offer setting! Certainly not a bargain though but was pleased he accepted a best offer price. When something like this turns up in this condition it seems to good to pass on!!!!

lucky I’ve also got a nice new old stock original strap for it too

Amazing chamfers on the lugs. Another timely escape from the buffer of death!

Nice watch, never heard of it. Do you have any further information about this model?

The model and reference is a well known one, 2984. However these are the only examples with the xvi dial. The case shape of the xvi Olympic watch was adopted for the 2984. I believe this is the final iteration of the xvi range in the new reference and using the 501 movement.

There is too much to be coincidence, the one off dial design on all three watches, all appearing on the 2984 reference with cal 501. Also all three having the hippocampus and not the Olympic logo but all three having this unique XVI Olympic dial

all told I’m chuffed to bits with it.

You were really fast... The moment I saw it, it had already gone.

Great catch... Enjoy this rare beauty! 😀

Thanks pal, we have spent the last year renovating our house, which has seen the departure of a significant proportion of my watch collection, when I saw this I just had to have it. Was bowled over when he accepted my offer but I guess the trick is if you want something go in with a proper offer not a low ball!

Well, it’s landed and it’s even better in the flesh than the image. Very light rose gold colour, popped the case back and 16mil serial, I don’t believe the watch had ever been opened, not a single tool mark anywhere

Now wearing correct period 1950’s now blue/ grey leather band and original 9K gold omega period buckle

Can you share the source of the strap?

Thanks

Tom

+1, great strap

Thanks chaps

sadly no longer available, I bought a few last year from eBay from a seller in the uk who used to have an omega AD many moons ago. Been saving this one for the right watch

Have done some more research on these today. It’s interesting, I’ve only managed to find three other examples but all have exactly the same character traits

dial: XVI dial with applied markers but with distinctive two tone finish and printed omega script not applied logo like other XVI models but all with XVI dial markings



movement: cal 501 as opposed to 471, all serial numbers are 16,6XXXXX



Case: stamped 315.164, 2984 and all 18K gold. All Olympic design (as per 2984) reference but without the Olympic crest and with standard Hippocampus



A really interesting piece, I can’t find any prior research on this specific model. If anyone can supply anymore info it would be great to see it

Thanks Tom

Thanks all

I am going to email Petros over the next few weeks and dig for more information, it wears lovely and at the moment timekeeping is pretty close to chronometer specifications, which is impressive as there isn't a single service mark in it but it will be going off for a movement service in due course.

Thanks for sharing! 👍

Did you ask the seller if he can provide any information about the history of this watch? He didn't seem to be a watch expert, but maybe he knows something that would lead to something new?

@Tom Dick : Here is a matching box, expensive and not complete, but rare:

https://www.ebay.de/itm/1956-Omega-...878717?hash=item48e0c8747d:g:29cAAOSw1nVeRYgS

Love that box but wow, that some asking price