Hey gang, Spacefruit posted an article about Extracts not long ago, http://speedmaster101.com/blog/omega-extracts-things-to-watch-out-for/. I know opinions are varied about the value of an extract, but I have a question. In the article, SF mentions that there is a 'hole' in the records, notably for 2998s many of which were apparently assembled by Lemania who didn't keep records as diligently as Omega. SF also mentions that Omega is making progress reacquiring some of this missing info. So, my question is this: is there a chance that this 'hole' in the records will get filled in? I for one would like to get extracts on a couple of watches that fall into this hole and for which Omega will not currently issue extracts. As always your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
The hole isn't an Omega hole but rather a Lemania hole, and I'd gather there's no fixing that hole as Lemania probably just didn't bother keeping the information. If it could have been found I'd say they would have done so during the time Moonwatch Only was in the works, if they couldn't find it for that I'd doubt it'd be found now.
Boo. Does anyone know the range of the hole? The watches I was hoping to get extracts for are in the 17m and 19m range. 17,765,xxx, 19,584,xxx and 19,834,xxx.
Its not a hole across an entire period, but rather its Lemania produced watches during that period, so Cal 3xx/5xx watches are not a problem as Omega made those, but Cal 320/321 and I'd guess the TDMP movements which were also Lemania might fall into it. Also there are old extracts from this period which do have data, that can confuse some people, but back then Omega would issue those extracts effectively based on the information provided by the owner, so you can't trust those old extracts, they're stricter now and only present information they have on record.
Did Lemania not make all of the 321 Speedies? Lemania today is now Manufacture Breguet. Owned by Swatch Group as well I do not see why Omega should not get access to whatever archive is stacked away? Unlike many other Swiss brands, Lemania never stopped making watches, although they had a couple of owners before returning under the SSHI/Swatch umbrella.
As I understand it, Lemania just didn't keep records as diligently, so the records just don't exist. As dsio says, if they had them, they probably would have turned up. I am still curious about the extent of the hole or gap. It seems there are records for 321 speedies, just some years are missing. All very interesting. I just wish I could get extracts for these watches.. finishing touch.
I'm sure the Omega researchers are hard at work on how to monetize this um opportunity we're creating for them. Well, I wouldn't be shocked at some 'discovery' in the future....just sayin
The hole for speedmasters is total up to 20.52x.xxx with the exceptions of SOME destined to the Switzerland.
Thanks gents! When I tried getting them for my watches recently, Omega just said they had no information and refunded the charges. Pity for me. I think they're a nice touch for an old speedy.
Is that for all 321s up to that serial number? Or is there a starting serial? This also means that all the extracts within that range issued earlier aren't worth a whole lot.
They've pretty much declined to do 2915 and 2998 as there was some gaps and they just simply made a policy of declining to provide it.
I did not check for 321s earlier than Speedmasters, but this is for all 2915, 2998, 105.002 and most 105.003-63 and 105.012-63. As indicated earlier: exceptions might be possible with some swiss deliveries and when papers available.