hi.

How do you tell the difference between a watch case made by Omega and a contract case? What are the defining characteristics?

 

Omega manufactured cases (pre-1970, at least)? News to me...

 

Bit of a slap down there, was it really necessary? OP obviously didn't know about contract cases and the question was a fair one. Perhaps it could be rephrased as, how do you tell cases bought in by Omega from those made without their involvement?

 

Thank you for rephrasing it for the right audience, Edward53. That's precisely my meaning.

 

My understanding, which is not 100% correct is that they did not carry Omega reference numbers on the caseback. I know there are a few exceptions to that rule.

 

I'll just add a French case back which although these do have an Omega logo, it is of an older type compared to the period of case production.

 

Don't forget the other UK cases - by Dennison
Probably more common than the Shackman shown above.
Picture courtesy of Desmond's blog.

 

Thanks all.

Here's a specific question then

Is this a case made for Omega or a contract case? I'm told it's a case made for Omega

Conversely, I'm told that that this is a french contract case.



Any wisdom?

Thanks in advance.

 

It is written Swiss made in the second one.
This is the old Omega logo before the triangle, that was kept in France.

 

Hello everyone. I'm reopening this treadh to ask about this omega case with f.c. written on it.
I saw that there are numerous models but I also found a movado also with the numbering f.c. 4048.
Does anyone know anything? It's a real mystery

 

Perhaps showing us the rest of the watch including the movement for context would help...?

 

Here some pics
Thanks

 

@omegaddicted82: Italian "national production" case. Watch assembled (and retailed) in Italy.

 

Can you give me some more information? F.C. what does it mean? Is it to be considered as Franken or not? Thank you in advance

 

It is not a franken watch. Omega delivered under a contract with the Italian agent at the time (and under the new Italian laws for the watch trade) the complete movement, dial and hands to the agent. Agent then took care of the assembly and retailing the watch.
Case maker is different than the Omega agent. "F.C." i believe it relates to the maker, do not recall them all.
The 4 digit second to FC i believe they represent the case model (a sort of reference, not a serial).

It is not unusual to see such watches with "national" cases. You will find them spread around the globe from Portugal to Spain, France (and colonies), Italy (and colonies), up to Central and Eastern Europe, or up north in the UK and dominions (ie: Oz). But none of these would have happened without the contribution of the "New-Found-Land", were the most fierce "nationalists" and "protectionists" paved the way.. although, ironically, the very founders of the "Americana" culture (old families) were European (sometimes at 1st or 2nd generation, ie: Johnston-DeForest).

It involves a bit of history and politics. Sometimes exaggerated in order to "protect national makers". Reminiscences of these otherwise ridiculous "protectionism" rules are still in order today, affecting the small and mid class / businesses, as usual. Lobbyists articulating the long hand of the big corporations circumvent them anyway.

 

Hey Guys, what would you say about an inner case with BO879 and K18; 0.750 engraved on it?
Country of origin? Argentina? Bolivia? Bologna?