Does anybody know when the linen dials started and with what Omega?

thanks!

 

I believe linen dials started appearing on Omega dress watches circa 1961-62, around the time that Omega refreshed their design language on dress watches. There seem to be a couple of different dial textures that collectors refer to as "linen" dials. They would have appeared on dress watches without a model name, as well as on dress Seamasters and Constellations.

14392-61-SC (no model name)

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135.003-62-SC

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My 1963 LL 6304 linen dial.

 

my 1965 KL6312- cal 560

 

Here is an interesting Ranchero with linen dial from 1959, sold at Hodinkee shop:

 

Here’s mine. Cal 563. I've had this a while and I've just realised there may be a problem with it. Was thr Cal 563 ever used in Seamaster De Villes? Could this be a Franken?

 

I don't know but I think that would be classed as a brushed rather than linen dial.

 

That’s interesting, I thought linen also included this sort of lighter texture as well as the obvious cross-hatch versions. Oh well, you live and learn.

 

Caliber 563 was definitely used in Seamaster Devilles. I have two of them.

Wear it in good health.

 

Thanks for the confirmation. I tried to email the operator of Chuck Maddox's legacy site which was where I was led to my initial belief, but it seams it is no longer being supported. http://www.chronomaddox.com/OmegaCaliberList.html

 

Not a super clean example, but this is my linen Seamaster. Early 60s.

 

My 491 ref 2897-2898 from 1959

 

Looking at linen dials in general they always appear well preserved and are probably impossible to restore. I am wondering if they are occasionally Frankens. Just seems odd how good the preservation is. Anybody else notice this?

 

I’ve always liked them but had no idea of the diversity of them. I still need one in my collection. Thanks for posting all.

 

Guess I was looking for an excuse to show my new silk dial modern.

Also love my old eterna