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Omega World War II Watch (Advice?)

S
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Hello,

I purchased this WWII Omega watch recently. Not knowing what I bought, I got a little nervous. Did I get an authentic Omega watch? Is this what it claims to be?

I'm not sure what model it is. My guess is 2300. But I'm just not sure. I noticed that most Omega WWII watches have sectors on the dial. (Sectors - I think that's the right term?). However, mine instead has little seconds markings along the edge. This is what makes me wonder.

However, I did find a couple other watches that looked almost identical. That brings me much relief. I figured I would ask all of you to see what you thought.

Thank you!
 
Original.jpg Original 2.jpg Original 3.jpg Original 4.jpg
bubba48
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It's an original Omega but not a military watch and dates to1944. Probably the caliber is a 310 or 311
 
BlackTalon
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Welcome.

What do you mean by WWII? An 'issued' watch, or just one produced/ sold around that time?

Looks like the bezel is missing. Are there photos of the caseback that indicate possibly an issued watch? Case is stainless steel vs the more typical plated steel? Movement is stamped for export to US.

Looking in AJTT, your watch does look like their description of a CK 2300. They were made in during WWII, have R 17.8 SC movements (I compared the pic in the book with your photo -- it looks the same). AJTT also indicates a stainless steel case, bezel with polished double bevel (missing on yours?), faceted lugs, screwback with lead gasket and engraved "Omega - Waterproof - Modele depose - Swiss". Case should be 30 mm. The crown they show is a bit fatter than yours, but I understand many of the photos may not be all original watches.
 
TexOmega
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Imported into the US for sale

OXG on movement
And SWISS at "6"
 
S
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Oh my goodness. You guys are wonderful! Thank you so much for all of your knowledge.

To some of your questions: The seller told me it was a watch given to military officers. Apparently, he is incorrect? Interesting also that the bezel is missing. I did not realize that. The case back is blank on the outside. I don't see any words describing it as an "issued watch."

So given that the watch has a missing bezel and given that the watch was not military and given that perhaps the crown has been replaced, what does that do to the value of the watch? I purchased it for $570. Did I pay a fair price do you think?

Thank you all so kindly for generously donating your advice!
 
BlackTalon
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Here is a link to a 2300/3 sold by @Alpha here on OF ~5 years ago for around $500USD (depending on what the exchange rate was like at the time): https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-2300-3-cal-t17-8-offers.54439/

Prices for vintage Omegas have definitely increased since then. That said you need to source a bezel (that watch needed a service as well). So you might have overpaid some, but not enough to lose sleep over.
 
TexOmega
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Seller is INCORRECT, imagine that.::rimshot::



And he sold you a watch without telling you it had no bezel.☕
 
S
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Thanks BlackTalon. That's interesting to hear. I assume I will need a bezel from the time period? Moreover from another CK2300? Do collectors feel pretty satisfied about a complete watch even though the parts came from other watches?

I'm within the return period, so I could still return the watch. I really like this watch, but if these missing parts reduce the value, I wonder if I should return it. From what you are saying, it sounds like a missing bezel doesn't degrade the value too much?

Thanks again!
 
BlackTalon
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I can't imagine it will be easy to source a bezel for an early 1940s watch. You might want to start looking on eBay, as I doubt many are sitting around on peoples' shelves. There is no generic replacement -- it has to fit the case. If you find one it likely would not count against how collectors view the watch, but then again we are not talking about a $20k+ watch, either.

I can't tell you how much a missing bezel affects the value, as that is up to interested individuals. It would make it a non-starter for me, as I don't have a watchmaker with lots of old parts and I don't want to spent a lot of hours trying to source a replacement. I suspect it probably knocks at least $100 off the value, if not more, as I did not see many 2300s at all on eBay.
 
S
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BlackTalon - thanks very much for your insight. Really appreciate your opinion! You've given me much to consider.
 
tamura
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Your watch was maybe a donor watch for someone who needed a bezel😵‍💫
 
mac_omega
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My advice:
return the watch as it was not honestly described and hence overpaid.
The stepped bezel is one of the esthetic characteristics of ref. 2300 and IMO a missing bezel of this particular ref. devalues the piece quite a lot, not just by about 100$ as @BlackTalon suggested.
Most important:
it is very unlikely that you find a fitting bezel because they were not massproduced on CNC machines like today.
The bezel was individually fitted to one specific case - so it might not fit a different case as they differ slightly. In the end you will have to ask a skilled watchmaker to manufacture one for your case and most probably it will need several attempts before one fits perfectly. And you will still have a non-original watch.
I have been there with a ref 2337 which has a similarly stepped bezel and I know its a nightmare...
Ref. 2300 is not that rare, such watches show up on ebay every now and then and can be bought for rather little money as they are pretty small for today´s tastes.
 
S
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Oh thank you so much everyone. I think I will be returning this watch most certainly. A community offering great opinions and advice freely is an extraordinary thing. I'm grateful.

Thanks again!
 
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