Forums Latest Members
  1. Gordon Heavyfoot Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    463
    Likes
    391
    Hello all. I just picked up this watch very inexpensively. I have a few questions if you'll indulge me. First, I'm having a difficult time determining if the dial is refinished. I examined it under a loupe and the printing is extremely crisp. The lume dots look very aged. The minute indices and markers look properly spaced. What's the consensus? Also, the caseback. I know the Star Watch Case Company made some cases for Omega but wouldn't the reference number and Omega triangle be stamped on there? So I'm stumped as to what reference this is. The case/lug design I'm having a problem finding examples of, too. I apologize about the crystal, it's pretty scratched up and obscures some details. The watch in person is much better than the pics. 1209161335.jpg 1209161336.jpg 1209161339.jpg 1209161338b.jpg 1209161340.jpg 1209161339a.jpg 1209161340b.jpg 1209161343.jpg 1209161334.jpg 1209161331d.jpg 1209161331a.jpg 1209161331.jpg 1209161334c.jpg 1209161337a.jpg 1209161338a.jpg Any insight would be greatly appreciated. As always thanks for taking the time to help.
     
    Edward53, Vitezi and ConElPueblo like this.
  2. Joe K. Curious about this text thingy below his avatar Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    1,647
    Likes
    2,099
    Interesting design of the case. I can't recall seeing one like it before with a 354 and based on the markings, I think this is not the original case this watch came in. As for the dial, I would say refinished based on the execution of the font and indices.
     
  3. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    8,644
    Likes
    14,210
    I'm going to wait until I see what some of the more knowledgeable posters say about the dial but, I don't see anything that screams redial. Maybe the font but I'm not totally sold.
    There have been Omegas posted her with Star cases and no reference number. I have a Wadsworth cased Omega with no Omega reference number in it.
     
  4. MPWATCH Watch Lover Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    993
    Likes
    1,865
    +1 efauser.....

    My only question is what the state of the lume should be in being this is from the 50's. Seems like it isn't aged enough, and the text up close looks slightly off on certain letters, having said that it's going to take someone with lots of exp to make the final call - Sounds like you might have a winner!

    Best of luck! Interested in seeing where this goes,

    Thomas
     
  5. kyle L Grasshopper Staff Member Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    4,414
    Likes
    11,221
    Interesting watch, the dial looks fine to me and original. It is possible that the case is original Omega as well, but I can't recall seeing another one like this. Like others have said, Star Case Company was an American company and used with US Market models like the Century, etc..
     
  6. ConElPueblo Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    9,587
    Likes
    26,961
    I like the dial a lot - would be very surprised if it was a redial. Nice buckle too! :)

    Not sure what you mean about the lume? Looks perfectly fine to me. Has aged lovely and evenly - both indices and on the hands.
     
  7. Giff2577 Quick with the tools! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    930
    Likes
    3,717
    I'm leaning towards an older redial as the lume has aged. The printing looks good but it appears that the dial hardware has black paint on their edges. Look at the numbers and hour markers. I have not seen a 354 in a Star case.
     
  8. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    8,644
    Likes
    14,210
    I think you're seeing the reflection of the dial, coupled with distortion from the scratched-to-hell crystal.
     
  9. Giff2577 Quick with the tools! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    930
    Likes
    3,717
    Take a close look at the 6 and 9. It looks like concave reflections around the markers where paint has pooled instead of a sharp transition.
     
    Joe K. likes this.
  10. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    8,644
    Likes
    14,210
    I saw that. I could be very wrong (wouldn't be the first time) but I'm not sold.
     
  11. Gordon Heavyfoot Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    463
    Likes
    391
    I buffed out some of the scratches with some polywatch and took a couple more pics of the 6 and 9 markers. It's extremely difficult to take acceptable photos but I've tried. Thanks everyone for the input. 1209161559a.jpg 1209161555.jpg 1209161606a.jpg
     
    Giff2577 likes this.
  12. kyle L Grasshopper Staff Member Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    4,414
    Likes
    11,221
    _MG_9866.JPG
     
  13. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    8,644
    Likes
    14,210
    @kyle L Are you saying there's pooling? The polishing has me even more convinced.
     
  14. kyle L Grasshopper Staff Member Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    4,414
    Likes
    11,221
    The picture that I posted is from an example that I owned, so I would say that the OP's example is all original from other black dials that I have seen and owned.
     
  15. efauser I ♥ karma!!! Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    8,644
    Likes
    14,210
    I thought so. That photo is far better.;)
     
  16. ulackfocus Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    I'm with Kyle - I think that dial is original. I've owned several black dialed Constellations and Seamasters over the years and the lettering looks fine to me.
     
    efauser likes this.
  17. ulackfocus Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    25,983
    Likes
    26,968
    Now, that case....... I'd bet that it's not original. That dial probably came in a 14k gold case that was scrapped at a point when gold was high, and the rest was stuffed into the case you see it in currently. There wasn't as much variance in size back in those days as there is today, and lots of things were interchangeable even from different companies. It's not hard to put company A's dial and movement into a generic case and make it work as long as you have the correct crystal retaining ring to cover up any small differences.
     
  18. TNTwatch Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    2,876
    Likes
    1,949
    Nice watch! Original dial in unique US case with everything in nice condition. Case doesn't have Omega Swiss reference number, but has some number that I'm sure is usable for ordering case parts (not sure through what system, but I have got and seen something similar).
     
  19. TNTwatch Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    2,876
    Likes
    1,949
    Nah, it's not a generic case since it has the proper cut-outs for the case clamps. Star was one of the known US companies who made cases for Omega movements (likely through Norman Morris's order on this one).
     
  20. Gordon Heavyfoot Dec 9, 2016

    Posts
    463
    Likes
    391
    Thank you all very much for the analysis, appreciate you taking the time. Seems like the consensus is that it's an original dial and I'm excited, have been searching for one for some time. The case, however, is a problem. Seems that most think the dial did not come with the case originally. Anyone have any idea what case this dial would belong in? Maybe a 2577? Perhaps I could source a correct case.