Selling my 131.013 manual-wind presentation watch from circa 1963. This watch was awarded to a 25-year employee of Toshiba in 1964, the year of the first Tokyo Olympics, making it a snapshot from a pivotal era in modern Japanese history. It got a full service in October of this year. Ashley Budgen’s essay from earlier this year is an unbeatable introduction to this elusive Japan-only model. All the usual plaudits apply: It wears larger than its 35mm size and has an austerely legible unadorned no-lume dial. “Made in Japan” in the 1960s still signified cheap gizmos for much of the world, but companies like Toshiba, integral to the country’s industrial strategy of “catch up and overtake [the United States],” were setting the standards for Japanese technology and manufacturing quality. Omega created the 131.013 specifically for this market and era. For a culture that prizes subtlety, the design’s luxury is in its attentiveness to detail and appeals to an appreciation of simplicity and warm functionality. This particular watch has a plain dial with plain stick hands. The dial shows even speckling with discoloration around parts of the edges. The case seems unpolished, with plenty of evidence of use visible through a loupe. There is a ding on the side around the 8 index that I can see if I look for it. The caseback has deeper scratches. The inscription reads 二十五年勤続表彰紀念 • 1964 • 東京芝浦電気株式会社, “Commemorating 25 years of service, Tokyo Shibaura Electric Corporation, 1964,” using the old name for Toshiba. The watchmaker who serviced it delightedly told me his father worked for Toshiba at the time this watch was awarded. Taking these photos let me discover a faint stamp inside the caseback indicating a previous service in 1972. The original crystal was damaged, probably the source of the dial deterioration, as the movement (the surprisingly beefy manual 286) was quite clean even before service. I would love to keep this watch in my Omega collection alongside a sporty 1960s Seamaster design and a more ornate Constellation dress watch, but I’m in paring-down mode and would prefer to see it go to someone who will wear and enjoy it more than I can. I am selling this head only for $695 net to me, plus EMS shipping from Japan (usually runs about $30 or so). Please examine the photos carefully as they are part of the description. My references, they are below. https://omegaforums.net/threads/krogerfoot-is-a-perfect-seller.165946/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/krogerfoot-is-a-wonderful-seller.162509/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/excellent-purchase-from-krogerfoot.151603/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/great-seller-krogerfoot.152343/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/krogerfoot-is-a-great-seller.149917/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/krogerfoot-is-a-standup-guy.157198/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/great-transaction-with-krogerfoot.145970/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/welldeservedrest-is-an-excellent-buyer.144761/#post-1974479 https://auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/show/rating?userID=grace_5330 The photos above were taken on an overcast day with the dial tilted toward the low sun, which is why the background shadows are so dark. The color of the dial is accurate. There are a couple of stray rain droplets on the crystal by the 11 index. I don’t know why I can never see these things before I take the picture. Again with tiny rain droplets at about 8 o’clock, under the inscription. Scuff below the 8 index.
Dropped a whole $100 in hopes of it staying in the Omega Forums family. I want to keep this newly serviced and distinctively Japanese Omega but cannot. Please your consideration.
Off to eBay it goes. This is an no-reserve auction so if you’re interested at a lower price, this could be your chance for this vintage Omega 313.013 1960s Japan-only watch.