Omega triple chronograph Cal 27 Chro C12 1942-1946

JasonH · Nov 7, 2023

Hi everyone. New member just signed up today and looking for some advice from those who know about Omega Chronographs from about 1942-1946. I recently took this watch to the Omega boutique on Oxford Street in London, and they took the back off and confirmed:

- the movement is a Calibre 27 Chro C12, serial 9393089
- original case 10290985
- estimated date of manufacture between 1942-1946

They said that the triple chronograph was very rare, and they are pretty certain the dial is original, although it may have been refurbished because it is in such good condition.

The watch currently isn’t working, so would need a repair to realise its full value. The crown can be pulled out to change time, but it can’t be wound. The watch case is approx 33mm in diameter, excluding the crown, or about 35mm including the crown.

If anyone can shed further light on this model, I would be very grateful. And also if it is worth servicing? Omega wanted £825 to send it back to Switzerland, taking 8 months, but I know I can get it serviced for around half that at a local watch repairer in about 1 month.

Many thanks for all your comments and interest.

JasonH

Larry S · Nov 7, 2023

I own plenty of old chronographs but I don’t own one of these. They are indeed special and valuable. As a lurker over the years when these are discussed, the fact that your arrow fletching is visible and not solid is a good sign of an original dial. I will await however other opinions. Just because a dial looks clean for its age does not mean that its redone. DO NOT send this to Omega. Find an Omega certified restoration watchmaker. Simon Freese or Swiss Time Services are in your area. Personally here in the US, the shop I use would charge me 5-600 USD to sort this.

cristos71 · Nov 7, 2023

Looks like it could be a ref 2279 to me. I'd like to see some sharp daylight pictures before making a call on the dial.

Here's mine for comparison, these are really a very nice reference and wear well.

Mark020 · Nov 7, 2023

Larry S
Find an Omega certified restoration watchmaker. Simon Freese or Swiss Time Services are in your area. Personally here in the US, the shop I use would charge me 5-600 USD to sort this.

Not sure about this. As I understood: Omega accredited is Omega pricing is EUR 950 for a vintage chrono

J JasonH
pretty certain the dial is original, although it may have been refurbished

In watch land it is either original or refurbished. This one is refurbished. But still a nice watch

Larry S · Nov 7, 2023

Mark020
Not sure about this. As I understood: Omega accredited is Omega pricing is EUR 950 for a vintage chrono

In watch land it is either original or refurbished. This one is refurbished. But still a nice watch

I know what I pay from my shop who has an Omega parts account to rebuild a vintage chronograph. Probably more in UK/EU. Are you saying redialed or refurbished?

zedlebowski · Nov 7, 2023

cristos71
Looks like it could be a ref 2279 to me. I'd like to see some sharp daylight pictures before making a call on the dial.

Here's mine for comparison, these are really a very nice reference and wear well.

Dibs if you ever decide to part with it - amazing!

myatt · Nov 7, 2023

OP - Unfortunately this dial is repainted entirely. I'm basing it off the smudged SWISS at the bottom and considering the 2, 3 and 4 in the 120, 130 and 140 on the outer Tachy scale. Certainly not the kind of serifs used by Omega on what would have been a lovely 2279.

It however still remains fairly valuable as is, and certainly more so if you can find an acceptable original dial to pair it with. Might as well find matching sub-dial hands if you decide to take that tortuous route. Just ask @cristos71 (See here -> https://omegaforums.net/threads/2279-back-from-the-brink-full-circle.130168/#post-1763965)

watchyouwant · Nov 7, 2023

I Second the re painted Dial. The 12 hour counter gives it away ... But : You have a really good re paint here. Enjoy it !

Mark020 · Nov 8, 2023

Larry S
I know what I pay from my shop who has an Omega parts account to rebuild a vintage chronograph. Probably more in UK/EU. Are you saying redialed or refurbished?

Interesting. My Omega WM says he can't make his own prices

Redialed (it was late 😁)

JasonH · Nov 9, 2023

Hi everyone. Many thanks for the quick and interesting responses. Understood some of the comments re fonts and that it might be a repainted dial. But here's a much higher res photo taken with a digital camera and macro lens, cut into quarters because the single image wouldn't load, which should let the pixel peepers see even the smallest detail. Happy to hear your views and comments. Many thanks.

Dan S · Nov 9, 2023

I agree about the re-paint after seeing the high-res photos. It's a good one as chronograph re-dials go.

cristos71 · Nov 9, 2023

IMO a redial. Although I must say it's pretty damn good. But just a quick close up study of the outermost track shows many discrepencies.
Again, mine for comparison

airansun · Nov 9, 2023

Yeah, redial I think.

This is my earliest three register CH27 Omega:

The serial number is 9393028, so it’s 61 movements earlier than yours. The dial on mine is a later service dial, from the late 40’s/early 50’s, as you can tell from the font used for the subdial numbers. I have managed to establish that the correct date is 1943 for our watches. I believe they are amongst the very first run of Omega three-dial CH27 watches. Mine still has its original non-Incabloc regulator. Does yours?

(Before service, so it’s still dirty.)

Here’s what the correct font for these 40’s subdials looks like (from my research):

Also from the WW2 period, this one still has its original dial. These dials did not hold up, particularly the ones with coffin pushers.

Have you already opened the back? With coffin pushers, many of these are also rather rusty inside because sweat and water can easily get inside. My watchmaker gave me a hard time after the last rusty one I asked him to resurrect.

Some time ago, i put together some photos in a thread to help establish timelines for various changes:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/dia...50’s-60’s-321-omega-family-updated-x2.117453/

Unless the movement is trash, I’d definitely recommend having it repaired. The redial is pretty damn nice and these very early CH27 three register Omegas have gotten pretty hard to find.

JasonH · Nov 9, 2023

airansun
Yeah, redial I think.

This is my earliest three register CH27 Omega:

The serial number is 9393028, so it’s 61 movements earlier than yours. The dial on mine is a later service dial, from the late 40’s/early 50’s, as you can tell from the font used for the subdial numbers. I have managed to establish that the correct date is 1943 for our watches. I believe they are amongst the very first run of Omega three-dial CH27 watches. Mine still has its original non-Incabloc regulator. Does yours?

(Before service, so it’s still dirty.)

Here’s what the correct font for these 40’s subdials looks like (from my research):

Also from the WW2 period, this one still has its original dial. These dials did not hold up, particularly the ones with coffin pushers.

Have you already opened the back? With coffin pushers, many of these are also rather rusty inside because sweat and water can easily get inside. My watchmaker gave me a hard time after the last rusty one I asked him to resurrect.

Some time ago, i put together some photos in a thread to help establish timelines for various changes:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/dia...50’s-60’s-321-omega-family-updated-x2.117453/

Unless the movement is trash, I’d definitely recommend having it repaired. The redial is pretty damn nice and these very early CH27 three register Omegas have gotten pretty hard to find.

Thanks for the excellent knowledge and details. Very interesting to be able to date it to a specific year. Even though the general view the dial has been refurbished/repainted at some point, it still sits very well.
Based on yours and others comments, I am leaning towards servicing and then decide whether I keep or sell. When I get it serviced, I'll ask them to take some photos of the movement, as the Omega boutique didn't offer that when I visited them recently.
Thanks once again.

Larry S · Nov 9, 2023

Darned good but that outer track makes the case for redial.

watchyouwant · Nov 9, 2023

Larry S
Darned good but that outer track makes the case for redial.

Many small things like the 100 and 110 ....

Mark020 · Nov 10, 2023

or wwiss in stead of swiss 😎

JasonH · May 28, 2024

Thanks to everyone for their comments about the Cal 27 Chro C12. I sent it off to an independent watch repairer and they took quite some time to get the correct parts from Omega for a repair: it needed a new balance wheel and main spring, but otherwise was all working and in good order.
After a full service, it's now back with me and working well. Now fitted with a nice quality leather strap in blue which matches some of the dials on the face.
It sits really well on the wrist and has a very unique dial, even if it appears to be a repainted dial as some have suggested above. (thanks for the comments, really helped me understand more about the watch).
But I am in two minds about keeping it, or letting it go. If anyone here is interested in making me an offer, I might be persuaded to let it go.

JasonH · Jul 9, 2024

Update 09 July 2024: now sold via the forum. Went to a new home in California.
Thanks for all the advice and interest from everyone. Great forum and very supportive.

Lorenzzzz · Jul 9, 2024

J JasonH
Update 09 July 2024: now sold via the forum. Went to a new home in California.
Thanks for all the advice and interest from everyone. Great forum and very supportive.

How much did you sell it for? If I may ask, just out of curiosity

below is mine

Omega triple chronograph Cal 27 Chro C12 1942-1946

JasonH

Larry S

cristos71

Mark020

Larry S

zedlebowski

myatt

watchyouwant

Mark020

JasonH

Dan S

cristos71

airansun

JasonH

Larry S

watchyouwant

Mark020

JasonH

JasonH

Lorenzzzz

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