Googled everywhere, but couldn't find anything.

Does watch reference refer to a specific combination of case/crown? case/crown/dial?

 

It's like a model number.

 

Ah, so a reference # refers to a specific combination of all components of that particular watch?

 

Sometimes it’s a exact down to bracelet or strap, sometimes just the case which could be of different material.

Depends on the era of the watch and the manafacturer. Sometimes the reference changes as they update naming conventions and the exact same watch could have multiple.

Other times a watch updates during production and can be different with the same model number.

 

Not necessarily.

If we're talking vintage, a specific reference may have had different dials and sometimes even different hands.

 

Ok, I think I'm more confused now, lol...

How do you all use 'reference' colloquially?

 

I guess in colloquial terms, "model" is what people mean.

 

Hi @dzlpowered,
I think some pictures might help here. Let’s use the latest Globemaster as an example, comparing three versions one on a leather strap, two on steel bracelets and two blue dials and one with a white dial:-

Let’s start with a couple of blue dialed GMs



The reference numbers for the above watches are
130.33.39.21.03.001 Leather Strap
130.30.39.21.03.001 SS Bracelet

Now let’s do the same comparison between a blue and a white dial GM, both on SS bracelets:-



This time different numbers change in the references
130.30.39.21.03.001 blue dial
130.30.39.21.02.001 white dial

Other numbers will change if you choose a yellow gold or platinum case.

You might find this link helpful for vintage Omegas

http://www.omega-fanatic.com/pages/omega-info/omega-codes-and-movement-numbers.php

Hope that helps!

Cheers

Longbow

 

Yes, it's confusing and how the term "reference" is commonly used here doesn't help that.

As others have said, sometimes the case number is the only number there is, and people use the term "reference" number when they mean case number. That number will not necessarily tell you details about the watch, and really only tells you the case style. To add to the confusion, this number is almost always only given as a partial case number, so people will talk about a specific watch in terms of a strictly numeric code, and leave off the prefix letters - those specify the case material. So you will see a numeric code that really only tells you the case style, and not any of the details.

But a proper reference number (also known as a PIC) will tell you about the entire watch, so case style, case material, dial and hands, right down to the watch having a bracelet or strap.

Note that in addition, a specific reference can use a number of different cases over it's lifecycle, and the example I use to illustrate this is the Bond Seamaster, so 25318000. Over it's lifespan there were three different case numbers used on this watch, all with real technical differences in the cases.

But on the flip side of that a single case number can be used in a number of references. So for example the case used in the 22545000 Seamaster is used on three different references, as one uses the Speedmaster style bracelet, one uses the Bond style bracelet, and one uses the strap.

Cheers, Al

 

@Longbow and @Archer

Thank you both for the very detailed replies. Super helpful in helping me understand this very basic concept

As a follow-up question, when people refer to a watch as “ref 2920”, what parts of the watch is that reference number pointing towards?

Again, THANK YOU!

 

OK, that's sort of between the vintage table link I gave you and modern reference numbers. What I suggest you do to train yourself is take a look at www.Chrono24.com select Omega and then play around by selecting various Reference numbers from the drop-down menu. I'm sure you will soon get a feel for what all this cryptic stuff means.

 

That is a partial case number. So for example that could be a stainless steel case for a Cal. 505:

055ST2920

Or it could be a 14kt gold capped case for a Cal. 505:

055CD2920

In some instances, Omega made many different cases within a given case number. So Omega made gold cases in several different shades, so:

0N - green gold
1N - pale yellow gold
2N - light yellow gold
3N - yellow gold
4N - pink gold
5N - red gold
WE - white gold

These can come in gold plate, gold capped, 14kt solid gold, 18kt solid gold...when you look at all the possible combinations, you start to appreciate that there's a lot of information missing when someone calls a watch with just a 4 digit numeric case number, like "ref. 2920.". And again this says nothing of dial and hand variations, or anything else about the watch...

Cheers, Al

 

This might help:
So, for instance, if you have a Seamaster Calendar (edit: automatic with centre seconds) in steel the reference number will be 166.xxx(x) ST

 

I use it in place of the words 'posh watch model'.

"Reference" sounds more 'posh' and is more in keeping with 'posh watches'. It also makes me feel more 'posh' as I walk around wearing my 'posh vintage watch'.