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Omega Top Hat Men's Watch Info Requested

FormerCollector
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As I have run the limits of my research via Goggle, Ebay and ChatGPT, I could use the groups' expert insights to learn more about this watch:

Provenance:
Inherited from my Dad. As I understand it, both this watch and a matching ladies version (which I also have) were gifted to my folks when they were married in the 1950s. By all appearance (band and watch case/crystal), this watch was well used.

As they were divorced in the 1970s, this watch was stored away and given to me roughly 10 years ago.

Condition:
As seen in the images.
Watch winds easily, keeps accurate time.
IMG_5584.jpg IMG_5585.jpg IMG_5586.jpg IMG_5587.jpg IMG_5588.jpg


Information Requested Please:
- Is there a model number associated with this version?
- As I am unable to find any images of this version (white face, Arabic number 12 only, etc.) is this version more/less valuable?
- How much value is lost due to the crystal being chipped?
- Is there a value range you would place on the watch (for insurance/home inventory purposes)?

My thanks in advance for any/all insights.
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
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FormerCollector FormerCollector
- Is there a model number associated with this version?
The model number would be inside the case. A watchmaker can help you here. Even then, this looks like a U.S. made 14K gold case. It is unlikely to be listed by Omega in their catalogs.
FormerCollector FormerCollector
- As I am unable to find any images of this version (white face, Arabic number 12 only, etc.) is this version more/less valuable?
Unknown. Probably not.
FormerCollector FormerCollector
- How much value is lost due to the crystal being chipped?
Very little. It might be possible to replace the crystal. You would need a watchmaker to find out.
FormerCollector FormerCollector
- Is there a value range you would place on the watch?
Value of the gold in the case plus $100 or so for the movement.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
FormerCollector
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Thank you @gatorcpa. That's an interesting way to approach the value (gold + movement). Is that to suggest it hasn't as much collectable value? Said another way, is the value only approximated by it's intrinsic characteristics (again, gold + movement) and not by any "emotional" collector premium.

Not selling the piece but you got me thinking about value for insurance, etc.
 
Canuck
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To include sentimental value in the evaluation of such a watch would mean you don’t want to sell it. Anything is said to be worth more to the owner than to anyone else. So soliciting opinions on the “value” of the piece will result in estimates which do not include sentimental value. You didn’t say that you are seeking a “value” on the item because you want to sell it. But scrap value + something for the movement is about what you will be offered. Sad but true. Like it or not, that’s the way it works!
 
FormerCollector
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Canuck Canuck
To include sentimental value in the evaluation of such a watch would mean you don’t want to sell it. Anything is said to be worth more to the owner than to anyone else. So soliciting opinions on the “value” of the piece will result in estimates which do not include sentimental value. You didn’t say that you are seeking a “value” on the item because you want to sell it. But scrap value + something for the movement is about what you will be offered. Sad but true. Like it or not, that’s the way it works!

Fair enough. So I then ask: what's the watch worth on the open market and/or to include a home insurance inventory?
 
Canuck
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FormerCollector FormerCollector
Fair enough. So I then ask: what's the watch worth on the open market and/or to include a home insurance inventory?

It is worth, not what seller asks for the item, but what the buyer is prepared to pay! Check completed sales on eBay to find what similar watches actually sell for. And do NOT include sentimental value in a piece when you insure it! Insurance companies are only on the hook to replace items, not sentimental value. Include sentiment in the value and you are paying far too much in premiums.
 
TexOmega
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FormerCollector FormerCollector
Fair enough. So I then ask: what's the watch worth on the open market and/or to include a home insurance inventory?


Already asked and answered….. gold plus $50-100.
 
Canuck
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FormerCollector FormerCollector
Yep, had done - with exactly zero results. Ebay only serves 90 days of results as seen here: How to see sold items older than 90 days? Which is one reason why I've posed the question here.

“Market value” of something is based on the average selling price of something that sells in quantity. A litre of gas, a loaf of bread, etc. Any specific item that sells in quantity. How to determine “market value” of a specific item when there is only one presently being offered for sale? To determine market value of an item you require a prospective buyer, a prospective seller, and an item being offered for sale. If a transaction occurs, then THAT is the market value! The watches are worth more to you than they are to anyone else. What are the chances anyone else would offer what you feel they might be worth?
 
calalum
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TexOmega TexOmega
Already asked and answered….. gold plus $50-100.

And don't forget to discount for the purity/gold content.
 
DON
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Nice watch, but not actually a top hat model which I think was coined for a Patek design.

As you can see in the image. Bottom brim with second level top hat part

10986a2010119-patek-philippe-top-hat-reference-patek-philippe-2480.jpg
 
HamDoctor
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I was always under the impression that "Top Hat" was a catch-all phrase applied to jeweller-made solid gold cases in this shape housing a prestigious movement. I have seen the phrase used quite often on watches with Hamilton movements cased like this (and some Longines & Omega, too). It seems this was a fad from the late 1930s up until the 1950s, exclusively in the U.S. market.

Most likely Patek Philippe introduced the idea, and enterprising jewellers "recreated" similarly shaped cases. I know that Hamilton frowned upon the practice, these were not official models and sometimes pretty garish-looking with diamond numerals ...

Anyway, since the OP's watch is not an official model, there isn't much of a collector's market for it. Though I have to say it's less crude than some other "top hat models" floating about - if you manage to find a buyer (or better, two bidders), you may get more for it when selling it. But that's a big "IF". Keeping it for the sentimental value is best.
 
OMTOM
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Notwithstanding the above comments, I can offer some facts.
The watch shown (14 kt) has Omega reference OJ 3913, with Calibre R17.8.

The watch was part of the ‘His & Hers’ combination dating from 1948. It appears in the Omega ‘Bible’ AJTT page 147 (which the OP probably doesn’t have - so I show it here).

A2 use.jpg



They also appeared in advertisements and Omega catalogues in the late 1940s/early 1950s.
The following page is from the 1949 Omega catalogue G590:

A3 use.jpg A4 use.jpg


As we see from the catalogue, the men’s watch had calibre R17.8, which was developed into the Calibre 300 - which appeared in later watches. It was available in 14 kt gold (OJ 3913) and 18 kt (OT 3913). The ladies’ version had Calibre 11.5, reference OJ 3926 (14 kt) and OT 3926 (18 kt). Each watch was available with gold or leather bracelet.

These watches are not so rare - but at the same time they are not easily found!

The OP’s watch would need some work - but the biggest problem would of course be the crystal, an inherent part of the watch. It would appear that the OP's watch has the original leather strap (as shown in the catalogue).
Edited:
 
OMTOM
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HamDoctor HamDoctor
Anyway, since the OP's watch is not an official model, there isn't much of a collector's market for it. Though I have to say it's less crude than some other "top hat models" floating about - if you manage to find a buyer (or better, two bidders), you may get more for it when selling it. But that's a big "IF". Keeping it for the sentimental value is best.

Please see above!
 
HamDoctor
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OMTOM OMTOM
Please see above!
Oh wow, thanks! I stand corrected.

I guess that because all of the Hamilton "Top Hat" models aren't official models, I automatically - and wrongly - assumed the same for this one. The quality of the case should have given me a hint that this is not some jeweller-self-brewed watch case.

Interesting to see that this model was offered in Europe (and wasn't exclusive to the U.S., as I first thought).
 
gatorcpa
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The OP’s watch certainly looks like the OJ3913 posted by @OMTOM.

Interesting that OP’s case has the “14K” US style hallmark on the outside. I was also able to find a Swiss 14K hallmark on another example online.

upload_2023-7-1_9-22-39.png


Here is Swiss hallmark on OP’s watch.

upload_2023-7-1_9-24-36.png


Very unusual for there to be both US and Swiss hallmarks on the same watch case, but here it is.

gatorcpa
 
FormerCollector
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OMTOM OMTOM
Notwithstanding the above comments, I can offer some facts.
The watch shown (14 kt) has Omega reference OJ 3913, with Calibre R17.8.

The watch was part of the ‘His & Hers’ combination dating from 1948. It appears in the Omega ‘Bible’ AJTT page 147 (which the OP probably doesn’t have - so I show it here).

A2 use.jpg



They also appeared in advertisements and Omega catalogues in the late 1940s/early 1950s.
The following page is from the 1949 Omega catalogue G590:

A3 use.jpg A4 use.jpg


As we see from the catalogue, the men’s watch had calibre R17.8, which was developed into the Calibre 300 - which appeared in later watches. It was available in 14 kt gold (OJ 3913) and 18 kt (OT 3913). The ladies’ version had Calibre 11.5, reference OJ 3926 (14 kt) and OT 3926 (18 kt). Each watch was available with gold or leather bracelet.

These watches are not so rare - but at the same time they are not easily found!

The OP’s watch would need some work - but the biggest problem would of course be the crystal, an inherent part of the watch. It would appear that the OP's watch has the original leather strap (as shown in the catalogue).

Thank you @OMTOM! THIS is exactly why I posted to this forum. Super helpful and appreciated.
 
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