Just how rare is this ?

Well this’ll be my 200th post so hope you all like it 😀
It’s a culmination of information gained whilst I fished about so please accept my apologies for any duplication or misinterpretation of previous posts.
I’d appreciate any feedback good or bad, be as honest as you like, this Pedant can take it 😀 🙁 😁

Ok, so you may know that “Oversized” Omegas is my thing at the moment and I wanted to ask for your thoughts on this watch. I won’t say “Jumbo”, I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it 😁

First, some details I can confirm ....

The case is 18k Rose Gold and at least 38mm ( I don’t have any digital callipers) it may 😕 be slightly larger but it is at least 38mm exc crown.
I’m sure the dial, hands and unsigned crown are original to the watch. The dial has patina but it’s even and light, some dark spotting at the extremities but personally I don’t think it unsightly at all. It’s so difficult to photograph to do it justice.

I got the watch from a respectable dealer who I’ve dealt with on several occasions before so I only have his word on this (I have not opened up the case, I daren’t for fear of damaging it)

Movement is a 30T2, now I have since questioned this with him as the 265 cal is usually found in post war cases of this style and size. However the dealer confirmed its a 30T2 with a 11M serial so totally plausible if anywhere between 11-11.4 approx.
Apparently there isn’t a 4 digit reference number stamped on the inside caseback. The dealer believed this to be a French case, (which wouldn’t have a 4 digit Omega reference, correct ? The case also has a French hallmark so understandable.)
I have since discovered the Hallmark confirms this watch was imported into France as a complete watch, so surely it can only be “Swiss made” Omega ? The hallmark also confirms the region with the number 44, which indicates it was inspected at the Assay Office at Loire Atlantique, North West France and that it met France’s stringent gold import standards for 18k gold.
Now this was a very uncommon practice at the time as Gold cased Omegas were often “locally” made in countries outside of Switzerland to avoid high taxes, correct ?

To sum up, an all original Swiss made 18k Rose Gold 38mm case with a 30T2 movement, imported into France for what I can only assume was a very wealthy client at that time c1947/8.

So what do you think? I know looking inside will answer several questions but that’ll have to wait for the time being. The watch is without doubt unusual but what’s your opinion on how rare it is ? Anyone got one even remotely like this ?

Thank you very much for your time, stay safe all
Gary

Any French Gold Omega is rare, there are very few available in the market at any one time, I've really got in to French gold Omegas in recent years, I don't own many but the ones I do own are special pieces. You are quite right that the eagle hall mark confirms it is a French case. Funnily I've owned a lot of 'jumbo's' but my little wrists mean that dress watches around the 34mm mark suit me much better, although I wear larger sports watches.

Hi @Tom Dick
This isn’t a French case, I’m sure it’s Swiss. I’ve found several french cased examples whilst researching this watch. The french hallmark on this watch isn’t an eagle, it’s an Owl which confirms it was imported into France not made/assembled there.
I’m amazed at how big these look on the wrist as they wear so much bigger with such a thin bezel. They’re all dial 😲

Sorry I maybe wasn’t clear
I believe this to be a 100 % Swiss made Omega that was imported into France. The dealer I got it from thought it was a French cased Omega. I’m asking members if they know of any other examples like this ?

Ah I see, I’d based my assessment on the pic you uploaded, which looked like the eagles head hallmark in the middle of the case back.

could you upload a better pic of the base back stamp?

neither way a nice looking thing

Hi @Tom Dick
Thanks
I don’t have a Macro Camera unfortunately but this is best I can do which is a close up of the same hallmark with the Paris Assay Office number, 75

Best I can do with mine

I believe some cases from this period and earlier had case serial numbers not 4 digit reference numbers. There has been a debate about this on OF before and I have also seen several members ask what reference a particular Omega is when it only has a case serial number not a 4 digit reference number
Kind Regards

Hi Bill
Thanks for the reply. Yes unfortunately opening the case will have to wait as I would hate to damage the watch by trying to open it myself. I’ve popped open plenty of cases over the years but as the gap is minute on this case I’d rather leave it to a professional with the correct tools so will have to wait due to the current Covid situation.
Obviously value does come into it but I’m happy knowing this is something very uncommon that I am fortunate to own.
With regard to it being a Swiss made Omega imported into France, WoK confirmed they had 1 example in the past, an 18k fully signed Swiss Omega Chronograph imported into France and stamped with the Owl hallmark, so I’m fairly sure it is and I’m interested to know whether any other members own any/ know of any other gold Swiss made ( dare I say Jumbo size ) Omegas that were imported ? Add to that, that it’s a 30t2, not a 265, which is more uncommon in this case size, the number of uncommon aspects are edging this into the realms of ( dare I say it ) rare.
There are some big collectors here that have amazing collections, some beautiful examples of Omegas from yesteryear so I’m asking if anyone has anything similar to what I have described
Kind Regards
Gary

Uncommon, maybe not so much. But, in case OP needs telling, beautiful. That's where you'll get your value on this one!

Well they say Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but yes very beautiful in my eyes. Thanks
You say “Uncommon, maybe not so much” does this mean you know of other imported Swiss gold cased Omegas ? Are they 38mm ?
Kind regards

I whole-heartedly agree - stunning watch!

No personal knowledge, just listening to experts on here, and prepared to wait for the outcomes - my point was, amidst all the learned observations, no-one else had come out and said, this is just plain beautiful.

I know, you wouldn’t believe the restraint I’m showing ! Like @Bill Sohne mentioned, I went out and bought a razor blade to open it but decided against it 😁
I just had a search under your reference 2687 and they are out there. Different case to mine, slightly smaller with a bevelled caseback. The case on this one looks similar to reference 2609, so maybe an early version of that 😕

Hello everyone,

I understand collectors who prefer Swiss made cases and stay away from South America ones, but I do consider French made and Dennison cases to be as collectible. They are usually very well made - sometimes better than the Swiss ones! - and provide all the hallmarks and data you can want. Actually, I like French made gold cases Omega a lot!

The OP’s watch is not usual as it appears to be an imported full Swiss watch - if it is actually an owl hallmark. In my experience, pocket watches are more frequent - although they are still pretty rare. But I agree with Bill that it does not necessary add any value. The big size and the general condition are more important as far as the value is concerned.

Cheers,
François