Considering to make this trio my first entrance into pocket watches. Issued for railroads of Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenians (later Kingdom of Yugoslavia). Nothing special but has historical importance. What do you guys think?
Nothing much to add, he found it on flea market somewhere on Balkans. He is a collector of military pocket and wristwatches.
The Brandts registered the Omega name in 1894.
Have a look at my site here for more info on early Omega and the General Watch Co.
https://www.helvetiahistory.co.uk/history
Hey guys, what is oldest recorded serial number on Omega pocket watch? Yesterday had a opportunity to hold 1.2 mil serial silver cased with no name on the dial.
This tells a lot, but it doesn’t is specify that the name of the company founded by Louis Brandt was announcing a name change to the Omega Watch Co. It does imply that as of March 10, 1894, the names on watches produced by the Brandt company, now included Omega.
This was the question that precipitated all this discussion, and we haven’t answered it. It is my opinion that an answer will never be found. It is not like the question of the first model A Ford. Videos show Henry Ford stamping the serial number (1) on the engine block of the first model A Ford. No such video exists of anyone stamping the serial number on the first Omega pocket watch!
You are right, this was just a registration of a new brand name. The company registering it is Louis Brandt & Frere. They didn't know then that the Omega brand would be so successful that it would prompt them to change the name of their company.
Here is the announcement of the formation of a new company, 'Louis Brandt et Frere with the subtitle "Omega Watch Co"' as the announcement says, on 19th May 1903.
I think this will be nearly impossible as you say. The company had been going almost 50 years with serial numbers at over a million before they registered the Omega name. The only way would be if it was recorded somewhere by Omega themselves.
That is a valuable piece of archival material! The generally held opinion seems to be the company name was changed to the Omega Watch Co. in 1903. I don’t sprechen sie Deutsch, but this document seems to indicate the 1903 date for the name change was correct.
According to Google this is what it says:
"Bureau Biel.
1903. May 19th. The general partnership Louis Brandt & frère in Biel (S. H. A. B. No. 147 of July 2, 1891) has dissolved; the company has expired. Assets and liabilities are transferred to the company Société anonyme Louis Brandt et frère »in Biel.
Under the company Société anonyme Louis Brandt et frère in Biel, with the subtitle "Omega Watch Co", a stock corporation has been founded with headquarters in Biel, which aims to trade and manufacture watches and all of their components The company takes over the assets and liabilities of the "Louls Brandt, et frère" company, which has lapsed in Blel, with effect from May 1, 1903. The Articles of Association were adopted on May 14, 1903. The duration of the company is unlimited amounts to twelve million five hundred thousand francs (Fr. 2,500,000), divided into 250 files of Fr. 10,000 each; the shares are made out in the name. The company is announced by publication in the Swiss Commercial Gazette in Bern, as well as by registered letters to the shareholders. The legally binding signature in the name of the company: 1) the delegate of the board of directors César Brandt, von Locle, Watch manufacturer in Paris, one at a time; 2) The members of the Board of Directors Paul E. Brandt, Adrien Brandt, and Gustav Brandt, all from Locle and residing in Biel, as a collective signature, namely in such a way that two of them collectively sign the company signature. The company grants collective power of attorney to Frédéric Henri Bessire, von Péry, and Johann Jakob Gasser, von Unter-Hallau, both residing in Biel."
Omega watch lovers take note. How might one go about turning this archival material into a “sticky” for the future interest of Omega watch lovers. Fabulous. Thanks for posting this.
Up for grabs. Free to whoever might want this orphan watch, and who will pay the postage in Canadian dollars. Background: This watch was given to a friend of a friend, and he gave it to me. I want to give it to somebody who might be interested in English watches (which I am not!)
Details- Dial marked Stewart Dawson, Liverpool. Case is hallmarked Birmingham (England), case makers trade mark S D & Co. (Stewart Dawson & Co.), date letter for 1885-86. Sterling silver. Case S# 124238. Single sunk vitreous enamel dial is dirty, but in excellent condition. Missing a glass, hour hand, and seconds hand. Movement marked Stewart Dawson, Liverpool, s#124238. Loomes lists Dawson in business in Liverpool, 1878-1888. Movement is a gilt 3/4 plate design, key wind, key set, English lever escapement, appears to have 15 ruby jewels. Balance staff is good, as is the steel hairspring. I haven’t tried winding it, so no report on the mainspring.
Anyone interested in this watch for the cost of the postage, PM me.
I was looking at a local on-line auction yesterday and one lot was simply described as “Curio Tray”. In the photo (you can see it here) was an old strap that I have never seen in person. It held either a watch or a compass. I bought the lot simply for that strap, in case I want to make some in the future. It contained a small Sterling case pocket watch. The watch does not work and is not worth fixing, but now I have that strap! The strap is designed to be worn with the buckle piece down. The strap is comfortable and keeps the little watch in place. I have a few similar watches that have fixed lugs. I think these are referred to as transitional (or something?). Canuck will know.
As the result of the outstanding response 😜 to my offer of this watch for free to anyone who’d pay the postage, I have had it to hand now, for two weeks since I made the offer, and nobody has bitten. I have a notion that I might go through it, and restore it to operational condition, and post it again. Only, after I do that (IF I do it), it won’t be free any more! 😁 Stay tuned!
For watches like these Movados that I seldom (or may never have) see, It is quite a feat to find triplets that are in such marvellous condition. And from their appearance, all original. That is indeed “targeted” collecting. Thanks for showing them.
Thanks. I think “targeted collecting” is a very kind way to say “obsessive compulsive disorder…” But I’m having fun hunting them down nonetheless! 😉
