Hi all,

Excuse the post, but I am not experienced on the vintage side at all. Recently, from looking at posts here, i have become interested in purchasing a millitary watch. My initial thoughts were that I liked the look of the soon to be released longines 6b re issue from Basel this year, but I stumbled upon this on chrono 24. I’ve done plenty of searching on the net, but can’t find much on the white dialed re-cases. The watch looks fairly good to my untrained eye, but I wondered what you thought and if there were any red flags at all?

My initial thought is that all others I have seen have Swiss made above the minute track above 6 o’clock, and this does not. Other than that, it appears sound and consistent with other watches I have viewed that are now sold.

Any help you can provide would be appreciated. I’m also looking at others such as smiths which would be available at a slightly lower price point.

Link attached.

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/british-military-raf-steel-wristwatch-6b159-1956--id6714734.htm#gref

Thanks,
Steve

 

Hi Steve.
The 56 Omega is as you say a recased by the MOD watch, you will find Omega, Jaeger and Longines watches that have been recased like this, maybe more?

I like these watches, the Omega you have linked to looks very expensive to me. The dials on these are either the old original Omega dials or they have been refinished by the MOD (mainly in black). The dial you show, I cannot say for certain where that was done but it does look old.
I have a black one with MOD dial and a white one with GOD knows who dial, I have the correct dial for this but do love it as it is.

Thanks, Michael

 

My humble advice would be to take some time to educate yourself before parting with cold, hard cash. Military watches are often faked or are frankens, so you need to discern between authentic examples and frauds. Pick up a book or two on military watches. Lurk on a forum dedicated to military watch collecting.

 

Thanks both. I will do some more digging. As you say, it’s expensive and I doubt I will go for it personally but will take my time and do some reading before rushing into anything I regret.

 

I can see 2 flags that would cause me to look deeper and consult an expert.

 

Thank you. For my benefit, what are they?

 

For posterity, images of the OP watch here:

 

dial, missing "Swiss"

No WWW or broad arrow markings with 6b case markings and that serial number.
White dial with that low a serial number in that case?
outer track looks wrong

Granted some of these things might be normal, others may be part of what is considered correct as they where serviced and updated by the MOD, hence why I would confer with a specialist on these... they are a literal minefield.

also the 3500USD price seems a bit optimistic.

 

That's what the OP is doing.

 

These don’t have www or broad arrow markings. Just 6b. Serial is correct range as it’s a MoD recase done in 56. These had originally alloy cases that are usually damaged hence the recase.

Price well is $2000 more then what they usually sell at.

 

Guys - thanks for the insights. It’s good to know that I at least spotted the dial was off (or different) to others seen. Other than that, it looks ok.

With respect price, the black dial 56 recast versions (at least here in Europe) seem to be going for £1,600 - 2000 now so the price is a bit toppy as mentioned but I don’t think it’s $2k over in this market.

Either way, I decided to put a deposit down on the longines military watch yesterday. I figured I’d see how I enjoy the aesthetic before lunging headfirst into vintage ownership.

Is really interesting though, and thanks to all of you who commented.

Cheers,
Steve

 

Is that the asking price or actual selling price?

 

Asking, so I guess selling is different.

 

the Chrono 24 Omega has a repainted dial; done later . the 1956 re cased version Dial was only repainted into the black dial version. easy to spot with the later Omega sign and the writing. the white Dial examples kept the original 1942/43 dials and kept the blued hands. so, wrong dial. therefore too expensive. kind regards. achim

 

BTW: if you want a black version, we can talk about the one on ebay. without fees that is always a different price. kind regards. achim

 

Michael, was the white dial done by Mr. Sony ? looks like it. kind regards. achim

 

Not sure Achim, I don’t usually like repainted dials but really like this one on the Watch.
Cheers, Michael