hi all, I was hoping someone could identify this watch. I have yet to see one like it. store short. I think my grandfather bought this watch - possible Portugal, then it was given to my father and then to me. I have never wore this watch. lately I have been very curious about this watch and even if it is real. The watch is a 19k gold watch, the crown does not seam to be gold. I am not sure if the bracelet is the original and everyone I can ask is long gone. I tried to take the back case but the watch came with it so in one piece I had the top assembly of the watch and on the other hand I had the dial and the rest of the back. maybe I did something wrong so I put it back. this is all to say I have no idea how to separate the back case so that I can see the movement. maybe you guys have an idea. here are a couple of pictures. Thanks in advance.
I'm sure people here can help you with a preliminary assessment. I'm surprised by the hallmark on the front of the watch (top left lug). My guess is that it's a third party case made to avoid paying import fees on gold (though I'm not positive the case is 100% real gold. I'm not saying it isn't but think it's strange to see the hallmarks in that place). Maybe someone else can comment on the case.
Dial looks original for a circa 1950 manual-wind Omega. I have never seen any Swiss made case in 19 karat gold. You can always have the gold content verified by a jeweler. Certainly not an Omega case. Hallmark looks South American to me. gatorcpa
Portuguese authorities stamped a small mark on the top of one of the lugs, most I've seen were on the 11 o'clock lug though. As @gatorcpa noted, I suspect it's a foreign cased watch, i.e.: the movement was imported and the case was made locally. A normal practice during the period that this watch was introduced. A proper watchmaker will be able to reveal all.
Just to add: besides the hallmark on top of one lug the 19K alloy seems to be an indication for the Portuguese market. I bought a gold watch from Portugal which had an 19K bracelet - pure coincidence?
Thank you all, for your comments. It is very interesting to me that it took a YouTube video for me to get interested in this old watch. It has been in my possession for over 40 years in a safe. Since it was a gift, I never thought of warring it other than the day it was given to me. I remember that when I put it on, the bracelet was too big, so I put it away. Now I find it that there does not seem to be others like it, which makes me question the authenticity of this watch. Still has sentimental value.