How Franken is my Omega?

Observer · Apr 17, 2019

After inheriting a late fifties Seamaster and an old Heuer Carrera, I got a little hooked on watches and bought a watch I assume to be a franken-Omega. It certainly doesn't have an original crown, and the dial is unblemished enough that I assume it's redone or outright fake, but it was pretty so I grabbed it. In hindsight I should have asked here before buying, but that's how I deal with learning curves I guess. I looked around online for info on case # P-6313 and found a couple watches that seem consistent with mine. The movement (cal 601) seemed to match the case and the serial number is, I think, in the right date range. The case seems polished, but not overpolished (to my eye) and I see that here's dust under the crystal. I'd appreciate any information on the watch like how I could have spotted the redial, whether it's worth paying to have a signed crown added... whatever the resident experts can tell me. Feel free also to make fun of me, I can take it, or tell me if I'm posting incorrectly. Thanks!

JimInOz · Apr 17, 2019

I think it's all original except for the crown and that the dial has been repainted.
It's a US cased Omega, the 14K gold filled case being made by Belove & Arienti Watch Case Co Inc of Brooklyn (although I thought they were D&A) @X350 XJR ?

michael22 · Apr 17, 2019

That paint job fooled me. What's the giveaway?...not enough ageing, gold script too clear?

Observer · Apr 17, 2019

Thanks, JimInOz.

JimInOz · Apr 17, 2019

michael22
That paint job fooled me. What's the giveaway?...not enough ageing, gold script too clear?

Looks like it was put on with a plaster spray gun. No minute markers but possible evidence there were some at one time (just near the three/four). Cross hair at 9 doesn't match the other three positions. Gold "SWISS" is too straight or level.

Just my observation, I could be wrong.

michael22 · Apr 17, 2019

Thanks Jim. So a dial of that texture never existed?

JimInOz · Apr 17, 2019

I haven't seen one, but an original Omega one may have had the rough finish look but it would be of much higher quality if it existed.

connieseamaster · Apr 17, 2019

There also looks to be some paint on the 7 marker

Observer · Apr 17, 2019

Thanks everybody. I really appreciate the feedback. It sounds like I got a nice but unexceptional watch, which was my assumption when I bought it. Any ideas on approximate value? Since the current crown is not only inaccurate but kind of ugly, I'm wondering if I should pay to recrown.

michael22 · Apr 17, 2019

When you get it serviced, get a new crown.

X350 XJR · Apr 17, 2019

B&A - Belove & Arienti Watch Case Co are/were related to D&A - DiVincenzo & Arienti. I believe that B&A was the parent company to D&A.

MRC · Apr 17, 2019

Observer
After inheriting a late fifties Seamaster and an old Heuer Carrera,

Seamaster photos are very acceptable here, Carreras too!

Welcome on board 😉

Observer · Apr 17, 2019

MRC
Seamaster photos are very acceptable here, Carreras too!

Welcome on board 😉

Thanks for the welcome! This board is an incredible resource. The Seamaster'

s in the shop getting a crystal as the old one had a hole in it. Here's one of the Carrera. There are some people here who take great photos. I'm trying to step up my game there, too. 😀

MRC · Apr 18, 2019

I would get that top pusher checked for security. This is what happened to one of mine a few weeks ago.

And no, I didn't find the pusher 😬

Interesting bracelet too, where did you find that?

Observer · Apr 18, 2019

Beautiful watch, and thanks for pointing out the pusher.
That's a Champion bracelet. The watch was in my dad's old stuff separate from the bracelet, but they looked nice together, I thought. I gather from some internet searching that the watch was likely issued with a black leather rally style band, so I may track one down for it.

MRC · Apr 18, 2019

Observer
Beautiful watch, and thanks for pointing out the pusher.
That's a Champion bracelet. The watch was in my dad's old stuff separate from the bracelet, but they looked nice together, I thought.

Yes indeed, although bracelets were only aftermarket for Heuers in the 1960s they do suit them well. I'm not sure whether I would call yours micro-Milanese or Hundreds-and-Thousands, but I like it.

Observer
I gather from some internet searching that the watch was likely issued with a black leather rally style band, so I may track one down for it.

I got my first Carrera new in 1970 and it was on a plain leather strap, no holes. Although I was actively rallying at that time I never heard of a "Rally/Rallye" strap until well into the present century. This is not the original strap which had got rather smelly after five years of everyday wear and was replaced with a bracelet.

If you still have the old clasp from the strap hold on to it! Genuine 1960 Heuer clasps will set you back 1000 in common currencies, although repros are available at about 10% of that.

Observer · Apr 18, 2019

MRC
Yes indeed, although bracelets were only aftermarket for Heuers in the 1960s they do suit them well. I'm not sure whether I would call yours micro-Milanese or Hundreds-and-Thousands, but I like it.

I got my first Carrera new in 1970 and it was on a plain leather strap, no holes. Although I was actively rallying at that time I never heard of a "Rally/Rallye" strap until well into the present century. This is not the original strap which had got rather smelly after five years of everyday wear and was replaced with a bracelet.

If you still have the old clasp from the strap hold on to it! Genuine 1960 Heuer clasps will set you back 1000 in common currencies, although repros are available at about 10% of that.

Wow. Another beautiful piece. I hope to have more than one nice watch soon. Currently reading Speedmaster 101 and resisting the urge to buy another frankenomega.

Observer · Apr 18, 2019

...and thanks again for some more great info.

MRC · Apr 18, 2019

Observer
Wow. Another beautiful piece. I hope to have more than one nice watch soon. Currently reading Speedmaster 101 and resisting the urge to buy another frankenomega.

Hang on in. Read, read, read. Think, assess. You'll be OK.

Aaaaaaand, we're waiting for your Seamaster photos after its return to you. You already have more than one nice watch!

Observer · Apr 23, 2019

MRC
Hang on in. Read, read, read. Think, assess. You'll be OK.

Aaaaaaand, we're waiting for your Seamaster photos after its return to you. You already have more than one nice watch!

Got it back today and took a quick snap. I think I'll get the camera on a tripod and play some macro games this afternoon.

How Franken is my Omega?

Observer

JimInOz

michael22

Observer

JimInOz

michael22

JimInOz

connieseamaster

Observer

michael22

X350 XJR

MRC

Observer

MRC

Observer

MRC

Observer

Observer

MRC

Observer

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