My wife's grandfather left her this watch and I need help identifying it. From what I can tell, it appears to be a 1930's single button stainless steel chronograph. It is in wonderful operating condition. I recently sent it to Switzerland for a full service and a replacement watch band. I can post additional pictures when I get it back next month. There is an amazing story behind this watch and I am hoping this forum can help me to learn more about it. Thanks!
Information from Omega: http://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/heritage/vintage-omegas/vintage-watches-database?ref=25881 Unfortunately, the pictures from the Omega Vintage Watch Database are still inoperative. There is a similar watch on this web page: http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/talking-watches-with-john-goldberger I think both have been redialled, but with a model this uncommon, I don't think anyone really cares. Very nice watch, gatorcpa
Hi, VERY nice Watch indeed, I agree with gatorcpa, on such a rare Watch, a redial is not really something to care about. Strange enough the watch photographed on p. 24-25 of J. Goldnerger's 'Omega Sportwatches' has a different dial, with a retailer's name on it (Rud. Niklaus Berne), and a red hand on the minute counter subdial... A different one? And he has two other monopushers 33.3 in 'Omega Watches', one of which is in 14kt gold....
Found a large picture of Mr. Goldberger's example: Maybe not a redial after all. Amazing! You don't happen to have an old Omega advertisement for that one in your secret stash, now do you? gatorcpa
I have looked everywhere and I only found one in the 1940 general catalog, however, this is a rare one and I don't have the original, just a bad photocopy : Still need to increase my catalogs and advertising collection in parallel to the watches!
Thank you all for your help. Let me tell you the story behind this incredible watch: My wife's grandfather was a German Soldier he was not a fighter, but a skilled electrician and his job was to set up the radio networks and towers during the war. When the war ended, he was taken prisoner by the Russians to rebuild their infrastructure. He lived in a Russian POW camp for 6 years. He said they would feed him a kidney bean each day. To survive, he would make tools and trade them for food. He was finally released back to Germany and he wrote a letter to the U.S. requesting asylum. He moved his entire family to the U.S. where he once again put his skills to work in helping to build the Alaskan pipeline. When I used to visit him at his home in Ohio, I recall how everything he owned was in tip top shape. His home at original 1950's appliances that were near perfect condition, etc. He lived to be 93 years old and the details which I have spared from this summary are novel worthy. It wasn't until he passed that my wife recalled him giving her this watch when she was younger and telling her to hold onto it for him. LUCKILY, she did just that and kept it in her jewelry box for another 10 years. I can only imagine where and when in his many travels and adventures that he came upon this watch. I greatly appreciate your help in understanding this watch's history as it is helping me to potentially learn more about a very remarkable man. Thank you!
Wow!! Not many people live to tell a tale like that! Special watch for you, mhl...keep it safe and enjoy it always!