Recently purchased F6516 with Bumper Caliber 344. Waltham 14K Case Just arrived in the mail today. I haven't seen this Reference and Caliber Combination much on the web, only found here. https://www.christies.com/lotfinder...old-automatic-wristwatch-5935325-details.aspx Anyone have further details on why the F6516 and 344 are so hard to find? Is it becasue most refer to the Cal as the 642?
There is nothing wrong with foreign market gold cases. In fact very common at the time to dodge gold import tariffs.
If you Google “Omega F6516” you will find quite a few examples with both the cal. 342 and 344. Here’s an entry from a 1955 US Catalog. There it is on the right. gatorcpa
Hi x350 stumbled on this old thread and was looking at us omegas and referencing back to the catalogue that Dennis has on his site. Quite liked some of the clear descriptions -Was keen on “ 18k gold indices “ description as often dial furniture in U.K. is described as “ gilt”. You indicate unpopular w collectors can you expand?
Some collectors do not like gold-filled cases as they are notoriously difficult to restore. Others prefer only Swiss cases models with case reference numbers that can be researched by Omega if needed. gatorcpa
Tks gator. I do wonder if all markets got solid gold furniture though. I think U.K. didn’t but US maybe . I also suspect given the economy only de luxe ranges in rest of Europe got gold furniture.
I suspect most Omega dials had sold gold markers. The gold in the markers is very limited. Most of the markers are hollow. I remember seeing someone selling 14K or 18K gold numerals for old Hamilton dials for $2 to $3 apiece some years ago. Solid gold hands and dials were limited to high end watches. gatorcpa
This is Also why I was interested in the Norman Morris us catalog indicating “18k gold applied dialfigures” maybe doesn’t include hands and indices, although what US laws were on that description in a catalogue is prob lost!