I have an Omega Automatic (OT 2767) from 1955 with a cal 354.

I got the watch with the original box and warranty booklet.

The box liner and lid refers to the watch as Omega Seamaster Automatic Chronometer.

My extract from the archives doesn't mention anything about chronometer rating.

Did these movements have a group of chronometer graded items?

Some pics are here.

WRUW today?

 

If your 354 is chronometer rated, it will have the "Adjusted five (5) positions and temperatures" legend engraved on the rotor. The Omega database lists your case (2767) as chronometer certified, so that supports your provenance.

John

 

Thanks John,

That concurs with my observations, however the "Adjusted five (5) positions and temperatures" doesn't appear on my movement.

I'm not too concerned about it, just the WIS coming out in me. I think I'll just get a nice strap for it and enjoy it

 

The movement is probably 1953, working from the serial number which is a late 13xxxxxx item. But not COSC certified, unless someone swapped the rotor.

John

 

The dial would say CHRONOMETER if it came from Bienne rated as such. Many Seamasters had non-chronometer 354's in them. Lots of possibilities here - John points out one:

Others are the movement and dial were swapped out completely, or what IMO is more likely is that the box isn't original to the watch - either the seller added it later <or> the dealer gave the original buyer the wrong box (two equally likely scenarios).

 

Actually, I stumbled here, but you were all too kind to point it out - COSC didn't exist until 1970-something, so it would be whatever it was before that - BOs or whatever. It could be the wrong box, of course. The watch and the box could have been paired up quite recently, in fact. We can all buy boxes on eBay, these days.

John

 

Mike, I think what he means is that the organization Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres has only existed as COSC since 1973. Previously, there were other chronometer certification organizations - but they were all combined to make COSC.

 

Man they had a lot of typos and misspellings back then! I can't understand a damn word.

 

Thanks for all of the comments and advice Gentlemen.

In summary, based on your feedback and my observations:

I'm 100% confident that the watch is completely original and the box doesn't belong with the watch (although it originally came with the watch).

The original owners have no idea on how to swap rotors or change dials or cases, they are definitely "WIS Muggles".
The inside of the case bears no repair inscriptions, which were commonplace until recent times so I'd discount a service replacement rotor.

Taking it all into account, I'm of the opinion that the watch was sold with the box, possibly because it was the closest to hand, and in 1955 I don't think they worried about boxes as much as we do today, it was simply packaging to get it home.

All irrelevant really, but it does make this an interesting hobby when you start doing detective work.

Cheers

Jim

 

I like it........WIS muggles. So we are WISzards?

 

Us Yankee WISholes don't know what a "muggle" is. In St. Looey a muggle would be snuggling after a mugging!

 

I saw it used in another connotation, can't remember perzakly where, not the watch world though, but the fanboys referred to those who weren't in the inner circle as muggles, obviously from HP.

It just struck me as fitting in this case, they hardly knew what a watch was, hence the appropriation of Ms Rowlings term.

 

Muggles and WISards I can see that catching on around here

 

We have WISdom.