Omega all-steel case and hardware with uncommon black dial, unusually heavily serifed

Hello all members,😀

Omega first produced the Constellation reference with the date feature, which is the model “Constellation Calendar,” in 1957. Only 25,000 pieces have been produced in the steel case (ref. 2943) and gold-capped case (ref. 2943) and 14k gold and 18k gold case (refs. 2943/2954), also with the Grand Luxe 18k model (refs. 16995 and 2988). All these four references used the caliber 504 with 24 jewels.

Generally, in the 1950s, black-dialed models were considered ‘special order’ watches. Very few black-dialed caliber 504s were produced. Specifically, for the black dial in reference 2943 (also 2954), in my opinion, fewer than 500 examples have been manufactured.

In this thread, I will specifically focus on Omega references 2943 and 2954. Firstly, in these references, the “no lume” hour-markers are far from uncommon compared to the lume version. Three types of hour-markers can be found: lume (most common), no lume, and ONYX insert. Some examples with no lume markers from my research:



My research found at least 5 examples with the “original” black dial.
Firstly, the very nice gold-capped watch that was hardly worn by Mikes (@MSNWatch).



Desmond (@mondodec) reviewed another 18k watch here: https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2009/11/story-about-original-black-dial.html

Another rare black dial, steel case reference 2943 with pink gold hour-markers, ranked by Desmond to be the “star of the month” since April 2008. This special watch came with the movement number 16,256,362, with the production date confirmed by “Omega Extract from the Archives” to be produced on August 4th, 1959. https://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2008/04/star-of-month.html

Moreover, I found this gold-capped case with strong patina through the dial. Even though the picture is not clear, I believe the dial is original. https://www.bukowskis.com/en/auctio...omega-constellation-calendar-wristwatch-35-mm

The last example I found is this very nice example posted in the forums by Angel (@alam) since 2012. https://omegaforums.net/threads/constellation-2943.2281/

Next, I found this black dial in a steel case with yellow gold hardware (plus the crosshair and Meister). This one came with thicker fonts than usual, also too many serifs. These fonts were suspected to be redialed by many experts. https://omegaforums.net/threads/constellation-calendar-2943-with-crosshair-and-meister.110360/

Today, I would like to review my new incoming watch, which is the all-steel case with the steel hardware. I tried my best to provide clear pictures of the dial; despite that, the black dial is not easy to capture. Besides, in some pictures, the markers might look like the gold color from some light reflection.
I apologize for the numerous pictures I added.

It was the only example I found in reference 2943 (also 2954) with all-steel case and hardware, with more uncommon “no lume” hour-markers with a black dial. The movement number was 16,725,xxx, which I believe was produced around October to November 1959 when compared to extracts from two other watches.
The steel hour-markers were original no lume hour-markers. It matched well with the steel dauphine-type hands.
The clover leaf crown can be the correct version, especially for this reference.



More close-up pictures of the font.



The black dial surface has a slight patina, plus unusually heavily serifed font. Please note the white spots are well spreading around the dial, as same as on the printed fonts. I assumed that it was the same production age.

In my humble opinion, it might be the original dial. However, if it was redialed, then it’s done by very professional people.

My wrist shot:



An example I found, the “slant M” used in the word CHRONO“M”ETER for Omega 14K yellow gold reference 2943/54, showed the professionally refinished dial. However, this watch did not use the thick serif pattern. https://www.ebay.com/itm/285284075924

Thank you for your advice from many experts I asked via p.m. I need your opinion from this forum. You're welcome to contribute your comments.
Best,
Teerapat

Looks nice but I'm not convinced its original

Thanks for your opinion @TexOmega , @Zapatta and @Tony C. .

Finally, my friend just sent me this black dial. Unfortunately, we didn’t know the movement number. It could be another uncommon pattern in this reference without “OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED” and “CALENDAR”. But for me, it looks legit font.

Please note the ‘slant M’ in CHRONO’M’ETER word can be correct for this reference too. It’s the only one example I found with ‘slant M’ in this reference.

Another outstanding example, Mikes.😀

Could not agree more @Tony C. .

Perhaps that individual could undertake the task of painting my car and my house.

In my opinion, this is a redial. Omega did not use this type of granular paint finish on their black dials from that era. It almost looks matte.

So nice of yours collection @MSNWatch. 😉

Thanks @MSNWatch and @hoipolloi for letting me know that ‘the serif font’ can be correct for the reference 2943.

Another 18k version with the ‘slant M’ from my friend. But only one picture was available.

I like your research and detailing like everyone, yet it's a bit heavy to quick read, with this watch your opening salvo could've been just the watch as it's likely completely separate from the rest

My .02 is there is a unique C-Case with such a black dial:


You can see my, maybe unfortunate journey here:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/1966-matte-black-c-cased-constellation-a-good-re-dial.136285/

As I'm used to the quality of Constellation's - I assumed hands were painted later on, so I depainted them, only very later on to discover this watch was 100% original in every way (5-6 exact examples seen later on)

After what's done is done, I didn't go back and paint the hands though, it's part of this watches journey, from a companion watch of sorts, it was pulled back to being a more proper Constellation

My theory is that a US manufacturer made these dials / watches

@flqt-9000 was very instrumental in tying my C-Case to these unique Geneve's - he had a macro shot of the hands, it was 1:1 matching the paint quality on mine, low quality paint versus perfection of Constellations

I suspect this dial could be original, and from the same dial manufacturer that made these Geneve's and my low # C-Case model

The question is, even if there is a tie, was that manufacturer around ~10 years ago for this model, maybe, and maybe they just produced a service dial and this is a service dial

I believe that it’s the heaviness of the serifs on Teerapat’s dial that is in question here not just the white script.

Where is the connection to Teerapat 's Constellation?

Dial texture + color