Gold cap/plate looks nice when leaving the factory

Gold cap/plate vintage omegas are not popular with collectors because the cases wear easily. But they can look really nice when the condition is great - that's because when the gold cap/plate looks great chances are the dial will look even better. Some examples:

Constellation ref. 2887:



Railtrack constellation:



A couple of Seamaster 166.032:





Hooded lug seamaster:



And a couple of TDMP:

Lovely examples, thanks. I am very grateful to those collectors who turn their noses up at gold capped vintage Omegas, because it leaves them to people like us!

The heavy 14K gold capping that Omega used in the 50s and 60s is amazingly durable. It sounds odd, but I have found it harder to remove micro scratches from a gold capped Omega than from a 14k solid gold case. I am not talking about polishing, which I abhor, but about the judicious removal with a silver cloth of tiny marks on a case that basically just needs a careful cleanup to look its best.

However, when Omega changed over to gold plating - which was one tenth the thickness of gold capping - sometime in the early 70s, it went rapidly downhill. The plating wore through quickly and never had the look of capped watches. I won't touch a gold plated Omega.

Here are three of my gold capped lovelies.

I wouldn't say that collectors eschew gold capped cases. I know of many collectors on this site that have gold capped watches. I have two myself, a Constellation and a Seamaster. I agree with lindo in that Omega's thick gold capped cases from the 50's and 60's hold up remarkably well.

May I join with this one?

These seem to be holding up pretty well. 😀
1956 Seamaster

1962 Constellation

And another one, which helps to prove my point about the difference between capping and plating. The case is 14K gold capped, and still has clear brushing on the bevel top and case sides that contrasts with the high polish of other parts. However the 12/1069 bracelet which came with the watch, is 20 micron gold plated. It is in very nice condition, but slightly worn through across the high point of the catch - the spot that always rubs first.