http://catalog.antiquorum.com/catalog.html?action=load&lotid=302&auctionid=272

Lot 302

OMEGA GIANT CLAW LUG

Omega, movement No. 8889970, case No. 9708286. Made circa 1940. Fine and very rare, stainless steel “Staybrite” wristwatch with oversized claw lugs and two-tone dial. Accompanied by the original hang tag with matching case number. C. Two-body, polished and brushed, inclined and flat stepped bezel, recessed winding crown, oversized claw lugs. D. Champagne and black with Arabic numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel feuille hands. M. 11 1/2’’’, rhodium-plated, 15 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with timing screws, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. DIAM. 35.5 mm. THICKNESS 10.5 mm.

The watch appears to have been kept in new old stock condition and seems never to have been worn.

 

Uncommon for sure, but we've got a few members that own them on the site, Norm has the center second version of it, made a post here when he got it:

http://omegaforums.net/threads/recent-acquisition-ck-2014.722/

They're typically referred to as Scarabs, and are primarily worn by Bond villains and the like.

 

They are very uncommon, but more importantly extremely rare to find with dials that are in mint or NOS condition. Most are refinished or very degraded. There are two sizes that these come in and several dial configurations. The larger ones are generally the more valuable.

 

Unless you're Kyle that is

 

Yes and not sure about the hands as well - could be replaced. Overall still a watch in nice condition.

 

I think that it might be a redial as well. The black figures seem to be a bit fuzzy to me at the high magnification used in the photo. Probably was an Omega refurbishment, done in Switzerland.

There is some dirt remaining in the crevasses near the lugs. No way this is a NOS piece. The original hang tag is a nice thing to have.

Shame on you AQ,
gatorcpa

 

Yes, shocking that Antiquorum would misrepresent a piece. It would only be the umpteenth time.

Their record of late has been very poor, and I wonder at the condition of some of the pieces they are selling. They seem to have made a very clear choice in favor of quantity over quality. They have a whole page of vintage Chronograph Suisses in their current sale - those pieces are shunned on Ebay, fergoshsakes.

 

I remember that quite well. I got suspended from TimeZone (owned by AQ) for awhile over comments I made there.
gatorcpa

 

Dial not perfect to be sure - look at the 2 o'clock region but my gut still tells me original.

 

MSN -

Two points:

1. Style of seconds hand is inconsistent with 1930's round Omegas (cal. 26,5) that I've seen and the bluing doesn't match. Most have seconds hand like this:



2. Sub-seconds register is just not sharp like it should be. Could be the photo, but I just don't think so.

This hunch is based on the old adage to "buy the seller".
gatorcpa

 

Exactly what I was referring to in my post on my "frankens" This is a watchco replacement dial.

 

Wait what? You were actually suspended there for critiquing items? Who actually did it? :\

 

Do they even read us?