Greetings all! I'm eyeing this piece and wondering... Authentic? or does it scream out "fake" or is it a redial or what? Strange dial... haven't seen anything like it on an Omega before?!

560's were usually 17J, but have been spotted with 24J... could it be one of those rare ones?

 

I'm worried it's a franken. The 17 jewel versions of the 560 were imported into the US for Norman Morris agency. The ones that came inside Bienne made cases were marked ADJUSTED TWO (2) POSITIONS, but still had 17 jewels. The movement inside your watch appears to be cobbled together as the 24 jewel models were chronometer rated 561's and 564's.

Here's the 560 inside the Bienne-made 166.020 De Ville I used to own:

 

Many thanks for your feedback. I've been doing quite a bit of digging about the 560 caliber, and see, that's what threw me off... in the essay in this link [http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2010/11/number-1-within-omega-symbol-on.html], it's mentions that

"There were two base, or platform, calibres for the mid-500 series of movements – calibre 550, the non date
version and calibre 560, the dated version. Both platforms were seventeen jewels, upon which extra jewels were
added for the more high-value movements that appeared in Omega’s premium brands such as Constellation and
some Seamasters."

Confusing!?

From another point of critique, does that dial design match with the 166.002 case and caliber?

Also, does that dial pattern exist in Omega authentically?

I'm adoring the look of the watch overall, but I want to purchase safe!

 

Right on the money, gatorcpa. You got straight to the point... I was looking for looks, and that 50's look on that frankenwatch is just so awesome to me!

But you're right, though... that SS '65 is gorgeous, and alot more justified as an original! I would definitely go for that one!

I don't really like yellow Omega's, they don't do it for me!

Thanks for the feedback!

 

Complete Franken.

Not only is the movement put together from parts, the case is NOT one which ever contained a cal 560, and itself is put together from two different watches, as the case back is for a different style case, and to top it off the dial is a made up Franken mess.

AVOID at any price.

 

Will definitely avoid!

This is why I absolutely appreciate joining this forum.

Many thanks x350.

 

Based on Desmond's article on the cal 560...

This watch also seems to be incorrect as well, case ref 166.002 (not to be confused with ref 166.020) does not appear to be one recognized as ever containing the cal 560 movement.

http://www.mediafire.com/file/o5zayzn34mz/Unearthed Omega Calibre 560 Rarities.pdf - This link will download the article as a pdf.

 

Much appreciated! I've actually been stuck to that blog all day!

I'm more of a Seamaster person than Constellation, so that very specific section about the 560 Seamaster connection was very intriguing!

Thanks again

 

I have to say, between the spice of this debate (and others over the years... thanks gatorcpa for the awesome history!) and the beauty of that piece, I had to jump at it!! (embarrassed smirk on face!)

That's what I'm looking for in hunting for these vintages... a story to tell my children as they are handed down to them!

 

Many thanks go to you for directing me to exactly what I was looking for!

It is in appreciative hands!