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Has anyone seen an original 14381-3-SC dial with “CHRONOMTER

extraordinori
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Hello everyone,

I would appreciate some help from the vintage Omega experts here.

I have a vintage Omega Constellation ref. 14381-3-SC, fitted with a Cal. 551 automatic chronometer movement, serial number 17012667.

This watch belonged to my grandfather. It had been stored in a drawer for more than 40 years, and I recently took it out again.

The case and movement appear to be consistent with a late-1950s / circa-1960 Constellation 14381. The caseback is marked 14381 3 SC, and the movement is Cal. 551.

However, I noticed something unusual on the dial.

The dial clearly reads:

“CHRONOMTER”

There is no “E” between the M and T.

I have looked at quite a few examples of original 14381 dials, but I have not been able to find another example with this exact spelling.

My question is very specific: has anyone here ever seen a confirmed-original Omega dial with “CHRONOMTER” spelled this way?

If so, I would be very grateful if you could post a photograph or provide a reference to the watch.

I am not simply looking for opinions on whether the dial “looks right”. I would particularly like to know whether this spelling has ever been documented on an original Omega dial.

I have attached photographs of the dial, the caseback, and the movement.

Thank you very much for taking the time to look at it.

IMG_9161.webp IMG_9138.webp IMG_9141.webp IMG_9142.webp IMG_9143.webp IMG_9158.webp
 
SOG53
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Greetings
Spelling errors like this are telltale sign of a redial.
14381 ref generally, but not always, has 2 lines of text at top, without Officially Certified like this example. Some have 3 lines.
Railtrack dial seen on some.
IMG_2904.webp


The font is off and the surface texture of dial also support redial. This was commonly done back in the day at time of service to make watch look better if there was water damage for example. It’s still a nice watch and heirloom.
Edited:
 
extraordinori
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SOG53 SOG53
Greetings
Spelling errors like this are telltale sign of a redial.
14381 ref generally, but not always, has 2 lines of text at top, without Officially Certified like this example. Some have 3 lines.
Railtrack dial seen on some.
IMG_2904.webp


The font is off and the surface texture of dial also support redial. This was commonly done back in the day at time of service to make watch look better if there was water damage for example. It’s still a nice watch and heirloom.

SOG53 SOG53
Greetings
Spelling errors like this are telltale sign of a redial.
14381 ref generally, but not always, has 2 lines of text at top, without Officially Certified like this example. Some have 3 lines.
Railtrack dial seen on some.
IMG_2904.webp


The font is off and the surface texture of dial also support redial. This was commonly done back in the day at time of service to make watch look better if there was water damage for example. It’s still a nice watch and heirloom.
Thank you very much for your detailed reply and for posting the comparison photo.

Your comments about the font and the surface texture are very helpful.

I was particularly unsure about the “CHRONOMTER” spelling, as I have not been able to find another example with this exact spelling.

It is also interesting to see another 14381 with a railtrack dial.

Since this watch belonged to my grandfather and had been stored in a drawer for more than 40 years, it is quite possible that the dial was refinished during a service many decades ago.

Would you consider the “CHRONOMTER” spelling itself to be strong evidence of a redial, based on your experience with vintage Omega dials?

Thank you again for taking the time to examine it and share your experience. I really appreciate it.
 
Fallout Boy
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wheel of fortune: “I’ll buy an A and solve.” 😀
Edited:
 
Mark020
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extraordinori extraordinori
Would you consider the “CHRONOMTER” spelling itself to be strong evidence of a redial
100%
 
Peemacgee
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Welcome @extraordinori

As above the dial has been repainted at some point in its life.

The lettering on the dial is close but not as original Omega fonts and arrangement and there are no original Omegas with that spelling of chronometer.

If you haven’t found them yet, there are dedicated threads to Constellations that are worth looking at and also Desmond’s excellent website.

https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/?m=0
 
qazwsx1
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My rail-track Constellations all look like this, and from what I remember, the other examples I’ve seen also came “without” the words Officially Certified.
IMG_6774.webp
 
SOG53
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@extraordinori if you have not seen this thread there are many great examples from OF members collections, worth scrolling through in your spare time.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-constellations-show-and-tell.19186/ Cover Image
Thread 'Vintage Constellations. Show and tell' ·
Please show your vintage Constellations.

Would be great to see the variations in a new thread. I'll go first.

1961 Pie pan, Cal 561, Case Ref 14393, on a period 7912 Bracelet (stainless steel)...
JohnSteed ·
 
extraordinori
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Peemacgee Peemacgee
Welcome @extraordinori

As above the dial has been repainted at some point in its life.

The lettering on the dial is close but not as original Omega fonts and arrangement and there are no original Omegas with that spelling of chronometer.

If you haven’t found them yet, there are dedicated threads to Constellations that are worth looking at and also Desmond’s excellent website.

https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/?m=0
Thank you very much for your detailed reply and for taking the time to examine my watch.

Your explanation about the lettering, font and surface texture is very helpful.

I was particularly interested in your comment that you have not seen an original Omega with the “CHRONOMTER” spelling. This was exactly the point I was hoping to clarify when I started this thread.

I had suspected that the dial might have been refinished, but I wanted to hear from people with experience with vintage Constellations before drawing a conclusion.

Since the watch belonged to my grandfather and had been stored in a drawer for more than 40 years, it is quite possible that the dial was refinished many decades ago, perhaps during a service.

I will also have a look at the Constellation threads and Desmond’s website you recommended.

Thank you again for your help. I really appreciate you sharing your experience with me.
 
Peemacgee
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Once you have looked at a few (hundreds) of Constellation dials the redial is quite obvious - but not necessarily so obvious to the uninitiated.

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy your grandfather’s watch as it is - as a rather splendid heirloom.
(It even comes with its own amusing anecdote about a dyslexic watch restorer)
 
extraordinori
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SOG53 SOG53
@extraordinori if you have not seen this thread there are many great examples from OF members collections, worth scrolling through in your spare time.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-constellations-show-and-tell.19186/ Cover Image
Thread 'Vintage Constellations. Show and tell' ·
Please show your vintage Constellations.

Would be great to see the variations in a new thread. I'll go first.

1961 Pie pan, Cal 561, Case Ref 14393, on a period 7912 Bracelet (stainless steel)...
JohnSteed ·
Thank you very much for your detailed comments and for sharing the comparison photo. It was very helpful. I really appreciate it!
Peemacgee Peemacgee
Once you have looked at a few (hundreds) of Constellation dials the redial is quite obvious - but not necessarily so obvious to the uninitiated.

However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t enjoy your grandfather’s watch as it is - as a rather splendid heirloom.
(It even comes with its own amusing anecdote about a dyslexic watch restorer)
Thank you again for your kind words and for sharing your experience.

I’m Japanese, and unfortunately I don’t have anyone around me who is knowledgeable about vintage watches, so the opinions and experience shared by you and everyone here have been extremely helpful to me.

I’m still learning about vintage Omega watches, and I now understand how much experience it takes to recognize a refinished dial.

I’m very grateful that you and the other members took the time to look at my watch and share your knowledge.

Whatever the history of the dial may be, it is still my grandfather’s watch, and I will certainly enjoy it and take good care of it.

Thank you very much!
 
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