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My first Omega watch (CK4044 - Cal 23.4 SC) - NOS Band and Buckle acquired!

  1. GuiltyBoomerang Feb 12, 2016

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    Hello to everyone.

    This is my first post on the site, so I hope it looks alright!

    I recently purchased a vintage Omega watch from eBay. The original listing is here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Vintage-...f-CK4044-Cal-23-4-SC-Wristwatch-/252265119571Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

    I noticed a bit later that the seller had originally listed it a couple of weeks back as a Buy-It-Now auction for £300 (about 3 times what I paid for it!)

    When I bought it I started looking up the forums here regarding the reference of the watch and the name. As the hands show, it doesn't seem to be a Medius due to the second sweeper hand being a 'normal' one. I did check a thread with details of the Cal 23.4SC and CK4044 but didn't see a similar dial to mine.

    I was also slightly offput by the small Omega logo at the top of the watch, and don't believe I've seen the words 'anti-magnetic' on an Omega watch before (but that could just be my lack of knowledge!) The watch does run well and sits very nicely when worn on my rather large wrist.

    As I don't have a case opener (yet) I only have a couple of photos of the watch face and it on my wrist.

    WP_20160212_17_49_40_Pro.jpg WP_20160212_17_51_37_Pro.jpg WP_20160212_17_52_04_Pro.jpg WP_20160212_18_03_54_Pro.jpg

    Was wondering if I could get people's thoughts on the watch - they would be much appreciated!
     
  2. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Feb 12, 2016

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    I can't see much wrong with it from an originality view. (Non Magnetic is acceptable, Antimagnetic is not).

    Maybe @Tire-comedon could give some expert comment.
     
    GuiltyBoomerang likes this.
  3. Tire-comedon First Globemaster Feb 14, 2016

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    Hi,

    I see nothing wrong here. Probably a CK 4044.
    Mine says hello :
    [​IMG]
     
    Rman, dta20502, adam78 and 2 others like this.
  4. GuiltyBoomerang Feb 17, 2016

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    Thanks Jim and Tire, really appreciate your fact checking! Your watch looks great :)
    I'm now interested in getting an Omega strap of that time period to match the watch - any particulars I should be looking out for?
     
  5. STANDY schizophrenic pizza orderer and watch collector Feb 17, 2016

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    Any nice leather will suit it. A period correct in good condition will cost more than your watch ;)
    Even look for a nice pigskin as they wont be to glossy for the watch.

    Nice pick up..

    ( it's going to need a service sooner than later ) wear it a bit as its new but don't leave it too long.
     
  6. GuiltyBoomerang Feb 18, 2016

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    Thanks Standy! Was checking eBay earlier and found a few 'reasonable' examples:

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151981169992Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262289702078Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

    As well as these beauties:

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131602997738Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131603520787Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network

    What I'm unsure of is if the 1940s was of a different 'period' to the 1950s/60s, which the NOS straps state that they are from. All look to have genuine buckles and Omega straps (with the exception of the first 'reasonable' listing, which has a 'vintage' Champion strap.)

    I'm quite keen to get the second one (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/262289702078Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network) as it is within my budget and will fit on the lugs (which are about 17mm.) [It does have a gold buckle instead of a stainless steel, but that could probably be changed later once money allows.]

    Any suggestions and feedback would be welcome! I really appreciate how helpful you guys (and the whole forum) are to complete newbies like me :)
     
  7. Tire-comedon First Globemaster Feb 18, 2016

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    For this period, I would suggest a grained strap. The one on the watch I posted above may well be original (the watch apparently was never worn although it has a lot of scratches due to non protected storage..., and I had it with another ladies' Omega watch from the same period also with a strap that I believe is original) so it should give you a good idea of how period straps looked.
    .
     
  8. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Feb 18, 2016

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    Of the four you posted, the second one is probably the best value. Buckle is of the more-or-less correct style, and the band is an OEM Omega replacement. However, 11/16" is equivalent to 17.5mm metric and is probably the wrong size for your watch. I think yours would take a 16mm or 5/8" band.

    However, you could use the buckle (probably 16mm) on a non-tapered band for this watch and save the Omega band for when you buy an 18mm lug width watch like a Seamaster or Constellation from the 1950's.

    Take care,
    gatorcpa
     
    Edited by a mod Jun 1, 2023
  9. GuiltyBoomerang Feb 18, 2016

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    Thanks Tire and gatorcpa, that's helped make my decision a bit easier! Bit the bullet and got the value-for-money band, as well as a NOS pigskin with decent grain (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281922022836Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network)

    Now to play the waiting game as postage makes it way from the US! At least this (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/141898994509Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network) will be here soon :)
     
  10. GuiltyBoomerang Mar 8, 2016

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    So after a couple of weeks, both bands arrived! Time to put them on:

    WP_20160308_18_34_30_Pro.jpg

    16mm 1940s pigskin band on and the Omega 1950s to the right. The band fits wonderfully well and smells...great? (if that's a word)

    WP_20160308_18_54_47_Pro.jpg

    Buckle attached!

    WP_20160308_19_05_18_Pro.jpg

    Taking a caseback and movement shot. @Tire-comedon - Yup, it's a 4044!

    c9e6ebba-6743-46dc-97b4-fed1ef585897.jpg

    Next to my new acquisition (with the Omega band...I know, it's a Mido, couldn't resist....my dad says it's such a girl's watch now ::shy::)

    A big thank you to @STANDY , @JimInOz , @gatorcpa and @Tire-comedon for your input back when I got this watch - you guys and the whole forum greatly help those like me who are just starting to collect and appreciate these beautiful watches!

    I think now my (if I can call it that) restoration project is complete...unless I want to find a Medicus seconds hand...