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Investigation for omega 1920-1932 cal 26.5, strange case, help identifying

Kargol
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Hi guys,
I was offered a watch today and tried my best to find if it’s worth it . The first thing I noticed was the back case which is unnumbered. Also there is a strange line in the letter A (OMEGA), on the signed caliber. Also strange fonts.. my research revealed that it’s probably MA 710 as it is shown here :
99E36E64-D2AE-4A35-96F6-9F3513BB10AB.jpeg


However I see many differences in the case shape and in the lugs. Here is the watch:
43FC371F-B024-416B-9201-77B216B2F43F.jpeg 687C82DA-306B-4124-8200-245B09E1976A.jpeg 9075EB4F-D39E-41C6-BA3C-9AD941551D25.jpeg B4508D5A-6561-4929-9157-ACA1C0165A5B.jpeg F095523B-ADFC-46D3-B4EA-DC0BA2A2C45B.jpeg EE78BA15-70BC-4A4C-86BD-5035205EF0F1.jpeg


i would appreciate any help . I believe that the case is not omega ?
 
Tony C.
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I'm sorry that I can't help much with the watch, but "nubbiest" is my new favorite word, so thank you. 😁
 
Kargol
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Tony C. Tony C.
I'm sorry that I can't help much with the watch, but "nubbiest" is my new favorite word, so thank you. 😁
Hahahah I meant : “my best”. I edited it . Thank you
 
Kargol
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Latest news a minute ago from the seller is that this is a RAF 1920... don’t know anything about this pilot watches so can’t comment
 
Kargol
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Why someone would scratch the inside of the back case ? To hide the brand? Can’t believe what they did to it !
 
UncleBuck
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Some military inscriptions were hidden/disfigured as the soldier was expected to return the issue. I'm not saying that this is the case but it often happened.
Yann, @Tire-comedon , is the best I know regarding this era, along with Jim, @JimInOz, @OMTOM and several others.
Perhaps they will join us.

I like the piece, it needs major service(not Captain but Major!) but sure looks like an old soldier!
 
Kargol
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I am now just guessing. I don’t think it’s 26.5 movement, and it seems to be original so maybe it’s an earlier one ? 23.7 maybe ?
 
UncleBuck
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I'm on holiday with no references but it was an infantryman (it takes one to know one) that had a go at those movement screws!
A quick google will settle the movement question.
 
Kargol
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I guess its movement is this one:
FD6D3D5E-3706-477E-AB29-3BA68BEB607E.png


26.5 SOB , manufactured 1926-1952
 
Kargol
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UncleBuck UncleBuck
You're doing great, this forum covers many time zones, so hold on.
Thank you my friend. Of course I can wait
 
OMTOM
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Compare.jpg


Thank you UncleBuck. Reporting for duty sir.

I would guess that the watch is about 1933 (a lovely period for Omega). The movement is an Omega 26.5 - and I show the font next to one of mine from about the same period (later versions of this calibre had a ‘regular’ font).

I think the chances are that it is not an Omega case. The lugs (lovely!) are quite different from the MA710 the OP shows in the catalogue extract (which I don’t think relates). These movements were often sold in different (non-Omega) cases at around this time. The inside caseback would typically show ‘ACIER STAYBRITE’ in the top third, in the centre the Omega symbol of the period (triangular) and the 7-digit case number in the lower third. In spite of all the mutilation, I think it would be very surprising that there is no trace of any of these - and therefore I think that reinforces the suggestion that the case is ‘non-Omega’.

I’m sorry but it definitely does not date from 1920 - and I don’t know why the RAF should be involved. I wonder if that is the seller’s hopeful grasp at anything MILITARY, even ART DECO, and STUNNING!

In summary, in my opinion it’s nothing special, an Omega 26.5, which is (probably) in a non-Omega case - and one of many from that period (some of which really are stunning!). I see no military connection.
 
UncleBuck
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Any thoughts as to why the damage, Tom?
Stolen long ago?
Perhaps they wanted to claim all Omega?
 
OMTOM
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airansun airansun
Here’s one of mine
This is slightly different (although clearly an Omega case) because the marks show that it was exported to Germany. And furthermore it's silver (so no Acier Staybrite!).
 
Kargol
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OMTOM OMTOM
Compare.jpg


Thank you UncleBuck. Reporting for duty sir.

I would guess that the watch is about 1933 (a lovely period for Omega). The movement is an Omega 26.5 - and I show the font next to one of mine from about the same period (later versions of this calibre had a ‘regular’ font).

I think the chances are that it is not an Omega case. The lugs (lovely!) are quite different from the MA710 the OP shows in the catalogue extract (which I don’t think relates). These movements were often sold in different (non-Omega) cases at around this time. The inside caseback would typically show ‘ACIER STAYBRITE’ in the top third, in the centre the Omega symbol of the period (triangular) and the 7-digit case number in the lower third. In spite of all the mutilation, I think it would be very surprising that there is no trace of any of these - and therefore I think that reinforces the suggestion that the case is ‘non-Omega’.

I’m sorry but it definitely does not date from 1920 - and I don’t know why the RAF should be involved. I wonder if that is the seller’s hopeful grasp at anything MILITARY, even ART DECO, and STUNNING!

In summary, in my opinion it’s nothing special, an Omega 26.5, which is (probably) in a non-Omega case - and one of many from that period (some of which really are stunning!). I see no military connection.
You are great!
So in that case there wouldn’t be a reference number nor collective value I guess ...
 
OMTOM
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UncleBuck UncleBuck
Any thoughts as to why the damage, Tom?
Sadly not. I guess it's another thing we'll never know. Yes, it might be a deliberate attempt to remove some markings - but as I described, I think not Omega markings.
 
OMTOM
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Kargol Kargol
So in that case there wouldn’t be a reference number nor collective value I guess ...
If it is not an Omega case, there would be no Omega reference number. To be honest, I don't think it has much financial value. As I mentioned, the lugs are lovely and if you were really attracted, you could have it serviced (strongly recommended of course) and wear it for fun. But that's it.
 
bardamu
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Agree with others about the case.
This is an Omega Euroos I own for comparison. It is from 1934:
 
IMG-20200102-WA0001.jpg
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