Any idea what ref this watch is?

david_watch · Jul 31, 2015

I searched the numbers listed on the caseback, H6583 and D97682, but get no hits on either.

Is the Planet Omega database not complete? Is this not an authentic Omega casebook or correct diamond bezel?

Heres the link to the watch BTW:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141717371151?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

X350 XJR · Jul 31, 2015

The Omega database is not even remotely complete, especially with regard to US cased watches.

The watch is quite genuine with a US production case by Jonell, movement serial number dates the watch to ca 1956.

Jones in LA · Jul 31, 2015

The 510 movement is kind of a rare bird, although it's not necessarily a collectibly rare watch. Reportedly only 27,500 movements were made, at the Marc Favre factory, between 1955 and 1957.

Disclosure: I am definitely not a vintage watch specialist, but I happen to own a watch with the 520 movement, which is the 510's successor. It's only by chance I happen to know a little about this particular family of calibers.

Jones in LA · Jul 31, 2015

Another observation: although 18k GOLD is stamped on the outside of the case back, I can't see anything that looks like "0.75" stamped on the inside of the case back.

X350 XJR · Jul 31, 2015

Jones in LA
Another observation: although 18k GOLD is stamped on the outside of the case back, I can't see anything that looks like "0.75" stamped on the inside of the case back.

US production cases are not marked in such a manner.

david_watch · Jul 31, 2015

Thanks everyone for commenting.

That's something I was wondering too, it is stamped 18k gold, but is it solid gold or capped or plated? In previous solid gold models I've seen I would see 0.75 stamped. Is that only Swiss cases that do that marking?

X350 XJR · Jul 31, 2015

D david_watch
Thanks everyone for commenting.

That's something I was wondering too, it is stamped 18k gold, but is it solid gold or capped or plated? In previous solid gold models I've seen I would see 0.75 stamped. Is that only Swiss cases that do that marking?

It is solid 18K gold. Simply a different way of marking gold content from country to country.

I should note that most US made cases were 14K.

AFIK 0.750 was not used on US produced cases. SWISS cases are marked in this manner and some South American cases as well. However the SA cases lack the OMEGA marking.

david_watch · Aug 1, 2015

What was Omegas reasoning for using localised case makers? To give different regions more flexibility in producing products to the taste of their customers?

In these watches is only the movement and related parts, ie hands and crown, Swiss? And they were assembled in the region where the case was made, such as England for Dennisson cases and U.S. for Jonell cases?

Pvt-Public · Aug 1, 2015

D david_watch
What was Omegas reasoning for using localised case makers? To give different regions more flexibility in producing products to the taste of their customers?

In these watches is only the movement and related parts, ie hands and crown, Swiss? And they were assembled in the region where the case was made, such as England for Dennisson cases and U.S. for Jonell cases?

My impression is it was done to lessen import tariffs. Uncased movements were subject to lesser tariff rates than complete watches.

gatorcpa · Aug 1, 2015

In the days when a nice watch cost $100 or so and there were hundreds of watch manufacturers, the 2% to 3% tariff difference was a profit killer.

Many of the mid to high end companies did this.

Taxes were even higher for imported solid gold watches and those with more than 17 jewels. Omega (and others) made special versions of some movements just for the USA market.

It was a way for the importers to remain somewhat independent of the manufacturers for a time and to employ some U.S. workers for finishing off the watches here.

When inflation took hold in the 1970's, the overall percentage of the tariffs dropped to a point where they made little difference and the Swiss companies began to buy out the U.S. distributors and made them solely importers.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa

david_watch · Aug 1, 2015

Thanks for the history lesson. Very interesting stuff.

Was their any perception (real or imagined) of a difference in quality between totally Swiss watches and ones with local cases and assembled regionally?

X350 XJR · Aug 1, 2015

D david_watch
Thanks for the history lesson. Very interesting stuff.

Was their any perception (real or imagined) of a difference in quality between totally Swiss watches and ones with local cases and assembled regionally?

From a collectability standpoint Swiss cased watches typically are more desirable, however there are many US case styles which were offered only locally, so if its a style one particularly likes the origin is a moot point.

Any idea what ref this watch is?

david_watch

X350 XJR

Jones in LA

Jones in LA

X350 XJR

david_watch

X350 XJR

david_watch

Pvt-Public

gatorcpa

david_watch

X350 XJR

Similar threads

Any idea what omega bracelet could fit a Seamaster 2938 ?

Any idea what kind of price I should be looking to pay for this watch?

Anyone know what ref this vintage Omega , cal 30T2 has ?

Any idea what this "O" means on the rotor ?

Any idea what model this is?

Any idea what ref this vintage seamaster is?