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Omega vintage identification

J
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Hello everyone,
My father gave me an old gold omega watch and I can’t identify it.
I opened it and found a serial number on the back plate : 10339772. It seems to have been produced in 1944. I can add that there are a few hand inscriptions and signature on this back plate.
On the movement another serial number : 9837425, so it could be 1943.
I searched on different web sites but I haven’t seen hour needle with a bubble on it.
To all specialists, I thank you in advance…
 
IMG_3921.jpeg IMG_3914.jpeg IMG_3924.jpeg IMG_3923.png
A
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The serial Number usually used to date the watch is the one on the movement.
It is a Calibre 17.8, which was used in rectangular dress watches as well as in round watches.
The plethora of models and dial variations mixed with the lacking reference number on the inner case backs until the mid 1940s makes identification difficult.
Also many cases have been produced abroad (not in switzerland) to reduce import costs.
I am no specialist on this subject (french watches) but i think the eagle imprint means, that it is a french gold case, which fits the fab suisse dial. These cases were produced in France (offcourse licensed by Omega) for the french market (France and overseas french territories).
I think I see a fab suisse imprint on the movement on the bridge in the lower left corner (above OMEGA), better resolution pictures would help.
French cases have often not had any similar case reference siblings that were produced in switzerland. So they were original designs. This can be seen for example in the french 30t2rg (30mm chronometer) cases:
img_3729-jpg.321926
4b34a884-11f0-433c-ae61-59c535f80f3c-jpeg.626483

Are you or your father French? Where did your father acquire the watch?

Please more experienced members correct me if i said something wrong.

All in all i like the watch. It looks original to me. Rare hand version. Rarer french case. I personally am interested in and collect the calibre 17.8.

Best regards
Lukas
 
A
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Fallout Boy Fallout Boy
google lens:

om xxx.jpg
The dial and hands look very similar but the case is different (the lugs have facets). Also the one in the reply could be any movement from 30t2 to 26.7.
 
J
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A alalalalongines
The serial Number usually used to date the watch is the one on the movement.
It is a Calibre 17.8, which was used in rectangular dress watches as well as in round watches.
The plethora of models and dial variations mixed with the lacking reference number on the inner case backs until the mid 1940s makes identification difficult.
Also many cases have been produced abroad (not in switzerland) to reduce import costs.
I am no specialist on this subject (french watches) but i think the eagle imprint means, that it is a french gold case, which fits the fab suisse dial. These cases were produced in France (offcourse licensed by Omega) for the french market (France and overseas french territories).
I think I see a fab suisse imprint on the movement on the bridge in the lower left corner (above OMEGA), better resolution pictures would help.
French cases have often not had any similar case reference siblings that were produced in switzerland. So they were original designs. This can be seen for example in the french 30t2rg (30mm chronometer) cases:
img_3729-jpg.321926
4b34a884-11f0-433c-ae61-59c535f80f3c-jpeg.626483

Are you or your father French? Where did your father acquire the watch?

Please more experienced members correct me if i said something wrong.

All in all i like the watch. It looks original to me. Rare hand version. Rarer french case. I personally am interested in and collect the calibre 17.8.

Best regards
Lukas
 
J
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1
Thank you so much for these exciting informations Lukas.
You’re right there’s a fab suisse imprint on the movement on the bridge in the lower left corner (above OMEGA), sorry about pictures resolution.
My father is French as i’m French! He bought this watch in auction at Drouot in Paris 40 years ago.
Best regards
 
J
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1
A alalalalongines
The dial and hands look very similar but the case is different (the lugs have facets). Also the one in the reply could be any movement from 30t2 to 26.7.
Thank you very much Alalalalongines.
I found exactly the same watch on spanish site (except fab.suisse)but it’s no more possible to consult it.
Best regards
 
IMG_3928.png
gatorcpa
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Google “Omega watch pontife hands”.

You will see dozens of examples. Omega stopped making this style in the 1940’s.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
A
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J Jujutrock
Thank you very much Alalalalongines.
I found exactly the same watch on spanish site (except fab.suisse)but it’s no more possible to consult it.
Best regards
Please note that these two watches will not be refered to as the "same watch" but as the same dial and hand style, because the case is different.
Often many different dial variations have been used in the same case reference and the same dial in different case references (or even brands as there were specialized dial-manufacturers).
 
Dan S
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J Jujutrock
Thank you very much Alalalalongines.
I found exactly the same watch on spanish site (except fab.suisse)but it’s no more possible to consult it.
Best regards
Completely different reference.
 
OllieOnTheRocks
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This is all original and correct, the dial, the case the hands and crown. It is a beautifully well cared for preserved example. The reference is difficult to ascertain as it is a french made case for omega that would have had the swiss made dial and movement assembled once it arrived in France. The used "Fab suisse" during this era as english print was illegal on sold goods in france at the time, so the french had specially produced dials that omitted the usual "Swiss made" wording. This appears to be a quality desirable example - I would be very happy. Your father had good taste! If you wish to research further into a specific reference it will be difficult but one factor that would help is the watches diameter (without the crown). Have fun! 😀

Here is a similar example that I own, but it is a different reference:

IMG_3817.jpg
 
J
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Thank you to all people on this thread to help me. I gonna make research with all your advices and if I find something interresting I’ll come back to informe you
 
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