I get a kick out of some of the watches that end up on eBay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/311712863512?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Don't inhale that dust!
If it had a new crystal, it would be a nice looking watch. There are watchmakers who know what they are doing with this stuff. Very historical engraving for a military watch collector also. The Presidio is one of the most famous and beautiful Army bases in the USA. Right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. It's been decommissioned for years. I understand that because it's so far from downtown, the rents are somewhat reasonable (for San Francisco). For anyone else, still outrageously expensive. I put this watch on my "watch" list, but I suspect the price will go up to several times the current bid. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I suppose. gatorcpa
My money would be on celluloid. that stuff degraded quickly and would be a logical fitment to a watch that old sometime its its long life..
No doubt. I'm guessing the case and movement will clean up nicely. Would original dials have "Swiss Made"? Seems early for that. Also, I would expect an original dial to be burned from the hands sitting in one place for too long.
Good points but it seems to me if someone wanted to do a Franken they would have cleaned up the case and put a nice crystal.
That doesn't happen with porcelain dials. There is no paint. The "burn" is caused by chemical reactions with the paint on a conventional dial. It will clean up nicely, but the caseback may be too worn to identify the soldier who owned it back in 1919. gatorcpa
I have a similar old Omega that is missing the bezel and needs a new set of hands, it does keep good time though.
I dig the ornate typography even on the caseback serial markings. Just the fact it's survived its 101 years (mostly) intact is impressive, one of those watches where if it could talk it would surely have plenty of interesting tales.
I don't think it's a franken--just thought the dial might have been repainted at some point because of the presence of "Swiss Made." Good to know!
Not so sure - could be but I have seen burn pretty bad on acrylic crystals... On the Omega posted, the burns are directly proportional to the luminous paint left on the dial, so I'm going to say it's just burnt. Cheers, Al