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Great grandfather's retirement watch - UPDATED - Circa 1958 Nationally Cased Ford Retirement Watch

M
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Hey all,

New to the forum as I recently inherited my great-grandfather's watch. Looking to find out more info about the watch and maybe others like it from the period to generally learn its story.

Here is what I know (took it to an omega service center to open it up, and didn't get photos of the inside but will follow up with those shortly, totally forgot to ask, but I did get some of the more salient numbers)

By the numbers:
O.A. 2900
Calibre: 284
Ref: 16058786

The story:
This watch was given to my great-grandfather David .L. Bishop in 1959 for 25 years of service at Ford Motor Company in Australia, based in Geelong. Probably last serviced 10-15 years ago. Was worn by my grandfather regularly. It is in full working order and seems to keep excellent time. At least comparable to my other watches.

What am I looking to find out?
I'm looking to find out more about the history of the watch when it would have been made, what model is it, are there others like it out there, literally anything.

Happy to upload any other details if they are needed. Also got the GP in the final photo as well, but not sure if anyone here would know more about that one.
Edited:
 
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Dan S
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[Edit: this response was written before the interior photos were posted. Please scroll down to read a more accurate assessment based on those photos. Apparently, it is a nationally cased 9k gold watch.]

2900 is apparently the reference number (which will be inside the case-back), but it seems wrong because that refers to a sub-seconds watch not a center seconds watch. Perhaps it is a dual-reference case-back and someone gave you the wrong number, or perhaps the case-back was swapped for the engraving? I don't know, it's strange. The OA prefix refers to a gold-plated/filled case, IIRC, but again that's on the case-back, so who knows. It would have helped to see photos of the inside.

Here is the OVD entry for the stainless version of the ref 2900.
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-other-omega-ck-2900

16M is the movement serial number, and suggests a production date circa 1958, which is consistent with the case-back engraving (which is very cool, BTW).

Cal 284 movement is a center-second variant of the venerable 30mm family of movements. Solid, good quality movement.

Nice watch, crown appears to have been replaced at some point, which isn't surprising, but otherwise appears to be basically original aside from the questions raised above.

Can't say too much about the GP without seeing the inside.
Edited:
 
M
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@Dan S appreciate it! I'll get some of the inside and case back tomorrow when I go back to the shop. Hopefully clear up the 2900 discrepancy. Will also grab some of the GP.
 
SOG53
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What a great heirloom watch. Here’s a screenshot of 1934 Ford cars your granddads first year at Ford. Imagine what he saw in those 25 years.
IMG_9177.jpeg
 
Pastorbottle
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In that time frame he would’ve seen models unique to the Australian market, such as this 34 coupe utility
IMG_0527.jpeg IMG_0528.jpeg IMG_0529.jpeg


and The 39 version
IMG_0530.jpeg IMG_0532.jpeg IMG_0533.jpeg


the 48 model in both Ford and Mercury versions
IMG_0535.jpeg IMG_0538.jpeg IMG_0539.jpeg


Then the Mainline utes of 1950 to 59
IMG_0537.jpeg IMG_0540.jpeg


during WW2 your Great Grandfather would’ve been involved with war work, Ford Australia was involved in all sorts of stuff including building landing craft, ships, armoured vehicles, sea mines, auxiliary fuel tanks for aircraft, machine tools including lathes with 48’ beds for making anti aircraft gun barrels, they assembled Jeeps, trucks etc. and reconditioned aircraft engines
Edited:
 
M
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@SOG53 @Pastorbottle amazing! I'm now in a deep research tunnel into Ford in Australia through the 30s to 50s. The experiences learned along the way for him to receive that watch, baffles me. Also if somehow he had any part in bringing the Ute to life in Aus would make me even prouder lol.

@Dan S I went on the OVD as well. Thanks for the speedy research. Looks very similar, do you know how much variation there was in the hour markers and hands? Curious if Ford would have procured a set from Omega in bulk, and then handed them out vs. one-off buys for specific retirements. Do we know if Omega ever did custom watches for large companies? I'll upload some more photos asap to help with the details.

Also, side note, floored by the community here being so awesome. Literally, big smiles every time there is a new comment.
 
SOG53
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Just a note of caution, not all watchmakers are experienced servicing vintage watches with sensitivity to collectors concerns, and not all have access to Omega parts. So I would research your area and find a watchmaker with Omega parts account, and members in your area can make recommendations if you tell us what area you are located. As a general rule do not allow anyone to polish the case, try to clean or touch the dial or hands, as these actions will reduce the watch value.
Only cleaning case and service movement. Feel free to post a quote for service here for advice. Do not allow anyone to send it back to Omega mother ship in Switzerland as they will keep the watch for a year and replace everything and charge you a fortune. Sounds counterintuitive but it’s true.

Btw we love:
Original unmolested Omegas
Heirloom watches
Watches with a good story
OP (original poster- you) who has done some homework and is polite and interested in preserving and enjoying the heirloom for next generation.
Old cars

you tick all the boxes! Stick around but beware this is a deep sinkhole
 
M
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@SOG53 Great advice on watchmakers etc and parts. I'm based in Vancouver, BC. There's a local Omega-listed service center at "Time and Gold" downtown, but would happily take any better recommendations if there are any on places to go.

I'm also receiving some old photos as well and hoping to place the watch and GGdad in a Ford, that would be a nice grail photo. Also know that my Opa was originally one of the first owners/managers of a Volvo dealership in Aus, so have some awesome shots of him with some of the old rally volvos and racing volvos from back in the 50s and 60s. He was the owner of the GP.
 
Dan S
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M maartenmooi
@SOG53 @Pastorbottle amazing! I'm now in a deep research tunnel into Ford in Australia through the 30s to 50s. The experiences learned along the way for him to receive that watch, baffles me. Also if somehow he had any part in bringing the Ute to life in Aus would make me even prouder lol.

@Dan S I went on the OVD as well. Thanks for the speedy research. Looks very similar, do you know how much variation there was in the hour markers and hands? Curious if Ford would have procured a set from Omega in bulk, and then handed them out vs. one-off buys for specific retirements. Do we know if Omega ever did custom watches for large companies? I'll upload some more photos asap to help with the details.

Also, side note, floored by the community here being so awesome. Literally, big smiles every time there is a new comment.
Most references have many dial/hand variations, and the OVD only shows one representative example. You really can't use dials to identify the reference.

It's certainly possible that Ford could have purchased a batch of watches and had them engraved for various employees, that wouldn't surprise me.

Some watch brands (and maybe Omega) did have special watches with blank case-backs that were sold for commemorative engraving purposes. This was particularly the case for models that would have otherwise had a distinctive caseback engraving from the manufacturer, like Seamaster. However, I don't think that's relevant for your watch, which would have had a blank case-back anyway.

Anyway, let's wait for the photos before speculating much more.
 
Pastorbottle
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There will be plenty of interest in your other watch on this forum, so yeah put it up.

I you need a good watchmaker here in Australia……. Kevin at A Watch in Time in Canterbury Rd, Heathmont, VIC is very good, he has an Omega parts account, he’s not cheap, you have to pay for all that experience and expertise and he has a long backlog of work, so it will take some considerable time to work on your watch.
 
OneTwo
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M maartenmooi
@SOG53 Great advice on watchmakers etc and parts. I'm based in Vancouver, BC. There's a local Omega-listed service center at "Time and Gold" downtown, but would happily take any better recommendations if there are any on places to go.
Welcome to the forum and those are some wonderful watches you have! OF is a great bunch of members with a wealth of knowledge. Funny enough it was an heirloom watch that brought me here as well. I could be incorrect and others could confirm, but I believe @Archer is also located in Canada as well who is a well respected watchmaker and an active member here on OF. Might be helpful to reach out to them.
 
Dan S
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The photo helps and basically clears up the mystery. In that era, many Swiss watch manufacturers shipped uncased movements and dials to avoid import duties, and contracted with local watch case manufacturers to assemble the final watch. We call these watches "national cased" or "locally cased." I'm thinking that's what you have, and the O.A. 2900 is not a Swiss Omega reference number, but a reference number specific to the Australian case-maker, which was most often the Handley Watch Case Company. An important clue is that the case is in solid 9k gold, which is more typical for cases made in Australia or the UK.
 
M
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Dan S Dan S
The photo helps and basically clears up the mystery. In that era, many Swiss watch manufacturers shipped uncased movements and dials to avoid import duties, and contracted with local watch case manufacturers to assemble the final watch. We call these watches "national cased" or "locally cased." I'm thinking that's what you have, and the O.A. 2900 is not a Swiss Omega reference number, but a reference number specific to the Australian case-maker, which was most often the Handley Watch Case Company. An important clue is that the case is in solid 9k gold, which is more typical for cases made in Australia or the UK.
Hugely helpful @Dan S that's so interesting about the nationally cased approach. Not surprised companies did what they could to avoid import taxes or duties. Also noticed that it's a fixed bar on the watch strap as well. So now onto trying to source some form of tapered clipped strap for if and when I need to replace the strap. Saw a bunch of suggestions on another OF thread. So going to dig now.
 
DON
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M maartenmooi
Hugely helpful @Dan S that's so interesting about the nationally cased approach. Not surprised companies did what they could to avoid import taxes or duties. Also noticed that it's a fixed bar on the watch strap as well. So now onto trying to source some form of tapered clipped strap for if and when I need to replace the strap. Saw a bunch of suggestions on another OF thread. So going to dig now.

Should be able to find a local Hirsch dealer or kiosk in most malls. They can order an open end strap in pretty much any material in the catalogue, but would stick to either black leather with black stitching for dress or go with medium brown with matching stitching for a casual look.

They will also install it. If you want to wear it. You can order a length based on your wrist size

25 years is a long time to spend at one company. Most famous watches were the Eaton's Quarter Century pocket watches and wristwatches made by Rolex
 
nkhandekar
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DON DON
25 years is a long time to spend at one company.

I'm at 23 years at my place, and I know that if I am to get a gold watch in two years, I'll be buying it for myself!

Just a thought for the OP. Is there a jeweller in Geelong that dealt with all the Ford requests and was an omega dealer? They may have some more records or info that would add an extra layer for you.
 
M
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nkhandekar nkhandekar
Just a thought for the OP. Is there a jeweller in Geelong that dealt with all the Ford requests and was an omega dealer? They may have some more records or info that would add an extra layer for you.

@nkhandekar Great idea, going to take a look into that this afternoon!
 
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