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Omega 6B/159 wristwatch

tiggertwo2005
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Hello,
Attached are some photos of a watch that I have in my possession for at least 20 years, maybe longer.
Over the years I have inherited various bits and bobs from (sadly departed) relatives but despite wracking my brains, I've no idea who this came from.
I never thought much about it but when sorting out a kitchen drawer it came to light again. I googled the numbers that were on the back. It appears that it might be a RAF Serviceman's watch but I've been unable to find an identical match on Google Images.
Most Omega 6B/159s that I've seen either have different markings around the edge of the dial, or say 'Swiss Made' under the number 6. My watch has what appears to be green dots on the hour marks but they don't luminesce.
I'd absolutely love to find out which relative it belonged and wonder if there are any RAF equipment issue records that I could examine.
I'm also aware that it might be a fake and the leather strap is in such good condition I guess that must be a replacement for the original strap.
Any advice about the history and authenticity of this watch would be greatly appreciated.
 
IMG_2521 2.jpg IMG_2523 2.jpg IMG_2519 2.jpg
watchyouwant
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Short answer: correct outside markings. Top lugs possibly shortened; need better pics. Measure lengths of top lugs and lower lugs to confirm. Dial repainted privately after WW 2. Strap most likely 60's. The rest: open and take pics. From mvmt and inner case back. Kind regards. Achim
 
tiggertwo2005
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Many thanks, Achim. I'll take a measurement of the length between the lugs, as suggested.
Any advice as to how to open? I don't want to cause any damage and I can't see any obvious was of taking off the back.
Kind regards.
 
watchyouwant
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Not lengths between the lugs. Lengths of the lugs from case to lug tip. Many have been shortened due to metal fatigue. And have it opened by a professional. If you apply too much pressure between the alloy middle and the stainless back, you can damage the alloy rim, where the case back clips on. That would damage the case middle and a bad outcome.
 
tiggertwo2005
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Many thanks. Looks to be between 3 or 4mm lug to case. I've now carefully flipped the back off and it looks to be a beautiful mechanism. There is some more wording, It's tiny but I think it says ... 'Omega Swiss' '16 Jewels' and there are 2 other marked parts that have 'A' and 'R' engraved on them. There are 3 bright ruby coloured stones that I can see and a I can see 2 dials that freely move back and forth. Wow, I love this watch.
 
IMG_2531 6.JPG IMG_2532.JPG
MRC
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tiggertwo2005 tiggertwo2005
Many thanks. Looks to be between 3 or 4mm lug to case. I've now carefully flipped the back off and it looks to be a beautiful mechanism. There is some more wording, It's tiny but I think it says ... 'Omega Swiss' '16 Jewels' and there are 2 other marked parts that have 'A' and 'R' engraved on them. There are 3 bright ruby coloured stones that I can see and a I can see 2 dials that freely move back and forth. Wow, I love this watch.

You also have a serial number - 9956473 and a case reference 2292, which seems to confirm British military WW2 connection from roughly 1943.

You need to buy one of these to check those lugs, this one is perfectly adequate for use on watches and being resin construction cost not much more than a beer and will not scratch them.

P1020316m.JPG


BTW I think your lugs are fine, the photo was taken at a slight angle to the watch, that's all.

Now, you are aware that getting interested in watches is a deep, dark, expensive pit? Your only chance to escape is to pull a 180 right now.
 
tiggertwo2005
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MRC MRC
You also have a serial number - 9956473 and a case reference 2292, which seems to confirm British military WW2 connection from roughly 1943.

You need to buy one of these to check those lugs, this one is perfectly adequate for use on watches and being resin construction cost not much more than a beer and will not scratch them.

P1020316m.JPG


BTW I think your lugs are fine, the photo was taken at a slight angle to the watch, that's all.

Now, you are aware that getting interested in watches is a deep, dark, expensive pit? Your only chance to escape is to pull a 180 right now.

Tee hee 😀 Many thanks I've just ordered a digital caliper with plastic measuring parts.
 
tiggertwo2005
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watchyouwant watchyouwant
Full lugs are 43 mm.
IMG_20201207_122506.jpg
Many thanks, I've now ordered a digital caliper, so when it arrives I'll be able to accurately measure the lugs, as you helpfully show in your photo. 😀
 
pedrocarlone
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I think the dial is an official MOD (Ministry of Defence) redial from the 1950s. I suppose you could argue its privately painted but its as intended for military use. I love the old 6Bs but as mentioned, the lugs are a bit fragile so i was always a bit scared to wear mine. Now i have a steel cased version which is rarer but it also has a later MOD redial (though different design again from yours). Im hoping one day to find a spare original 1940s dial for sale but these later dials are considered legitimate from what I read on Military Watch Forum. Its definetely not a fake.
Edited:
 
watchyouwant
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Nobody labelled it a fake. It is Not an MoD later repainted dial. It is a civil repainted dial, as was common after the government auctions. It was done by the same UK dial repainter, who did the dials for the decommissioned and auctioned IWC MK 11, assembled from parts, that were auctioned as well. Strange font, white and black. These 1942/43 mil. Omega's were recased and black dials repainted in 1956 by the MoD . Look that up. There the original white dials are worth a lot more than the 1956 repainted black dials for the stainless version from 1956. Kind regards. Achim
 
pedrocarlone
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The original poster said “I'm also aware that it might be a fake” thats what i was replying to. Whats your opinion of this dial on my steel cased 6b? Theres not much info out there on these italic logo dials. I know the crown and seconds hand are incorrect....
Edited:
 
528962D2-8B4C-45D3-A5F7-88427EE4BADA.jpeg
watchyouwant
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pedrocarlone pedrocarlone
The original poster said “I'm also aware that it might be a fake” thats what i was replying to. Whats your opinion of this dial on my steel cased 6b? Theres not much info out there on these italic logo dials. I know the crown and seconds hand are incorrect....

Interesting dial. But has nothing to do with a military 6B design. What case reference is it?
 
pedrocarlone
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The case number is one of the long case numbers that relate to other steel cased 6Bs out there (dont have the tools to hand to open it up). Its not a ref 2292 which i believe is correct for the alloy cased 6Bs. The information I have is that this is a variant MOD redial and is known as the “italic” type.
 
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