So I take it you work for the Omega museum? Thanks for the info. So the records show that this movement number originally was in a steel holy grail. And then either the movement got swapped or someone put gold pushers, a gold bezel, a black and gold dial, and a numbered caseback (or inscribed the case back themselves) to make an Italian holy grail look-alike? Seems like an awful lot of work to add no value to the watch or even decrease it's value. You think this was done back in 1990 when the two tone was less likely more valuable?
Hi
Thanks for the rapid reply ...firstly I don’t work for the museum a nor am I a dealer I am merely an interested but sceptical collector
I have done an unhealthy amount of research which has helped me validate my collection and to assist others
One of the most unreliable thing to do when collecting watches is in my humble opinion is to be dogmatic ,and all my comments are tempered by the view that someone more experienced may have an alternative view which may explain the anomalies ,they having had the benefit of being exposed to more examples of the watch
I am fascinated by your problem because both explanations defy belief
If they had the gold grail to begin with then why swap the movement....and if you swap the movement ,then keep the movement number and transfer it to the replacement 1045 movement .....and why would you take a 1045 from a valuable grail ? Why not a cheap and abundant mark 4.5 1045 ?
So next explanation....you have a grail and have acquired service gold Grail parts ...of course the case is the same ,as is the case back ,and the movement is good also ,but Exactly as you correctly point out ,you would have to swap out pushers bezel and dial and then create a engraving on the back consistent with a limited edition out of 200
Both are equally implausible except the second one works if a dealer is out to fool an Italian collector where the gold grail was more sought after
and by the way as you diligently pointed out there were 2 gold grails
[Or Liberace’s as Chuck Maddox called them ] on offer on the same week and coincidentally both were wrong
Prudence would demand a detailed due diligence next time you see one ...and I would be happy to help
You are clearly a very knowledgeable collector but without wishing to sound like I am teaching grandma about sucking eggs [never understood that ]
can I also respectfully caution you on speedymoons ,SM 1000’s , and early [and even late] Seamaster 300’s indeed many other small production run models which my research is showing significant numbers of which, are ,shall we say ‘lacking authenticity ‘
