Omega cal 268. - need advice

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jure_79

·Sep 27, 2020

I recently came across this omega cal. 268 form '61, but I need advice on the piece since I have some douts.
The watch seems original at first, it comes in a 9k gold case, with original strap and gold bucle, box, Naiad crown, signed crystal ... the works. The caseback is engraved with G.M.H. Laworden 1936-1961.

The problem is with the case ref. number, 2611 or 26II, and the design/geometry of the case itself, which I haven't been able to find any trace of online.

Please advise, is it a Franken, does it have any value and rougly which, is it possible that the case was outsourced by omega, and how could I get more info/proof of that? Is it worth while?

Lot of questions, do thank you in advance for all your kind answers 😀 ... regards, Jure

 

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gbesq

·Sep 27, 2020

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-us/watch-omega-other-omega-ck-2611

 

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jure_79

·Sep 27, 2020

Thanks, I've seen that link, that is why I was asking if the 9K gold case production was possibly outsourced? Since it has the engraving on the back, a company gift for 25 years of service.

 

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gbesq

·Sep 27, 2020

J jure_79

Thanks, I've seen that link, that is why I was asking if the 9K gold case production was possibly outsourced? Since it has the engraving on the back, a company gift for 25 years of service.

Possibly. I can’t find any other link to that case reference.

 

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jure_79

·Sep 27, 2020

Do you think this watch has any value, or is considered a 'Franken'?

 

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Dan S

·Sep 27, 2020

I would guess that it is a nationally cased watch and the 2611 is a coincidence. It is obviously not anything like the ref 2611 on the OVD. Maybe someone will recognize the engraving. Do you have any idea where it originated? What country did you find it in?

 

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X350 XJR

·Sep 27, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

As Dan said OPs watch has no relation to the one in in the database. 9K cases are most commonly seen/produced in the UK and Australia and do not have Swiss analogues.

 

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jure_79

·Sep 27, 2020

Thanks for your help, I found the watch in Croatia, but have no idea where it originated from ... A lot of Croatian people worked all over the world in the '60. The engraving says G.M.H. Laworden, but after extensive search I wasn't able to find any indications or track of companies with that name in the '60. Sounds German, it even translates to "Law Orders" but it doesn't make much sense. I'm aware of Omega contracted gold cases in that era, but sadly don't know any relevant source that could provide proof for this piece.

In the end, do you think this is a "genuine" of "franken" omega? Is it worth anything, if so how much?

Edited: Sep 27, 2020

 

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Dan S

·Sep 27, 2020

My gut feeling says that it's an authentic nationally cased watch. I'm just having a hard time imagining another scenario where it would have been given to someone for 25 years at a company, which is what I assume this engraving indicates. And everything seems consistent.

Value is like any other 9K nationally cased manual winding Omega from that era. You can find comps using an eBay SOLD item search or here in the forum listings.

BTW, I think you are reading the inscription incorrectly because you didn't notice the periods in the second line.

G.M.H.
L.A. WORDEN
1936-1961

 

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jure_79

·Sep 27, 2020

Tnx a lot Dan, I can't believe I misread the inscription 🤦 ... after staring for hours and looking for clues and flaws.

 

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Dan S

·Sep 27, 2020

J jure_79

Tnx a lot Dan, I can't believe I misread the inscription 🤦 ... after staring for hours and looking for clues and flaws.

Not sure it will help you, but I also like to do research when I have a watch with an engraved caseback.

 

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DON

·Sep 27, 2020

Something is odd. It says 9kt, but under that it's marked 0.575 which is 14kt gold

9kt is used in a number of commonwealth countries, but out side of them. 9kt is not considered real gold (10kt is the minimum)

How did a 9kt? gold watch end up in Croatia? I'm surprised that Omega would actually make a 9kt gold case, but could only see that happening if made in the UK by a sub contractor such as Dennison

I would pass on it due to the conflicting kt. markings.

DON

 

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Dan S

·Sep 27, 2020

DON

Something is odd. It says 9kt, but under that it's marked 0.575 which is 14kt gold

9kt is used in a number of commonwealth countries, but out side of them. 9kt is not considered real gold (10kt is the minimum)

How did a 9kt? gold watch end up in Croatia? I'm surprised that Omega would actually make a 9kt gold case, but could only see that happening if made in the UK by a sub contractor such as Dennison

I would pass on it due to the conflicting kt. markings.

DON

I think it says 0.375, but it's hard to see because of shadows and poor focus.

Is 0.575 used for 14K? I think it's normally 0.585.

 

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jure_79

·Sep 27, 2020

It does say 0.375, it is blurry and the 3 seems like a 5. A lot of Croatian (ex. Yugoslav) citizens migrated to many world countries in search of jobs and fleeing for political reasons. Statistics say there are arround 3 million Croatians living outside Croatia.

 

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airansun

·Sep 27, 2020

The bottom curve of the 3 is slightly different than that of the 5. Otherwise, my enhancement doesn’t really help.

 

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DON

·Sep 27, 2020

Dan S

I think it says 0.375, but it's hard to see because of shadows and poor focus.

Is 0.575 used for 14K? I think it's normally 0.585.

I was looking at the curved bottom and top looked like a 5.

Still. Would Omega make a 9kt gold case? I've seen a Dennison one for Omega, but not a Omega alone

DON

 

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Sherbie

·Sep 27, 2020

I think we can discount the UK and Dennison as an origin for the case - as it would have to have UK hallmarks.

this clearly doesnt have these

 

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Dan S

·Sep 27, 2020

DON

I was looking at the curved bottom and top looked like a 5.

Still. Would Omega make a 9kt gold case? I've seen a Dennison one for Omega, but not a Omega alone

DON

No, it would be a local case, e.g. Australia.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/ext...mega-movement-in-australian-made-case.116775/

 

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Dan S

·Sep 27, 2020

OK, GMH is an automobile company in Australia, GM-Holden.

 

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jure_79

·Sep 28, 2020

Wow, tnx for the help, while researching the inscription I did came across GM Holden, but now it makes even more sense. There is a big Croatian community in Australia (even I have close relatives there), so there is a possibility of this watch travellong all the way here.

The current owner wants to scrap the watch for gold, so currently prior to saving the piece, I wanted to make sure it's not a 'Franken' ...

Tnx a lot, you helped me, but also helped a nice vintage piece not to get melted.