Hi all,

I ordered an extract for a vintage Omega Seamaster with the 601 manual movement out of interest. The piece was originally presented to an employee of General Motors Holden Australia in 1969 as a 25 year service gift.

Omega have advised that the movement was built on January 16th, 1968 and delivered to Australia where it was combined with a locally produced case. My guess would be that this was possibly done to reduce import tariffs/taxes.

I was wondering if anyone knows much about Australian made cases for Omega movements of this era? I can't find any information online about what local manufacturer may have made this case.

Any information would be much appreciated. I'm very interested in understanding the origin of this watch.

Cheers

 

Quite possibly made by the Handley Watch Case Company, based in Abbotsford, Melbourne, although it doesn't have the Handley stamp.
(J. W. Handley Watch case Manufacturers, 655-7 Victoria street, Abbotsford.)

They made watch cases for brands like Rolex, Tudor, Omega and many others.

Handley went out of business some time in the 1980s I think.

 

Actually, 1988.

 

Thanks for the info! I wonder if they made this case? Shame there's no stamp on the inside to identify it. Would love to know what the numbers 6011 and 1351000 on the case back correspond to.

 

IMO 6011 is the case (reference) number and 1351000 is the case serial#