I mentioned this in the endgame thread but this is actually one of the most interesting watches to me at the moment. Dennis' signature reminds me of it periodically and every now and then I see a photo of one and realise how much I like the lugs and case design. It also fills a lot of slots at once. I currently have no Seamaster chronometers, and no Omegas with RG regulators and deluxe movement finishing, nor any watches with hooded lugs. More significantly, I can only find photos of 4-5 examples floating around the internet, which means while there may be many more in private collections, it genuinely isn't a large number. The following pics are examples from Sam (chronocentric) and Bill Sohne (PuristsPro Omega Moderator) along with a third person well known for his trademark photographic technique
Sam's is a redial. MIke has more than one of those - one as shown, and one with the gold dial. I like these a lot too. It would be a great way to fill the 352 slot, eh?
If you're going to get a 352, you can get a SS model with a common case, or you can get an 18K version, but a full spec Ultima on mesh bracelet with hooded lugs and gold dial... wow. I can't think of a better watch with that movement off the top of my head (excluding cloisonne's of course). I figured from the font Sam's would have to be a redial which is a shame, but I actually really like the inscription on the back of his watch, that sort of thing from a woman to her husband really connects it to the past. You know that Stanley and Tamara are both likely to have passed by now, but that connection to them in 1954 still exists. I need to find a woman like Tamara, she definitely had excellent taste.
I actually have 2 both now with the same dial thanks to Dennis. Here are the pictures of both: And I have a third similar one with a cal. 354 rather than a 352. Also has slightly different lugs and has a turler dial.
TWO?!?!? This means that (a) I'm gonna have to divert some funds because (b) I'm going to pester you mercilessly to sell me one.
Sell YOU one?! Who created this thread chief Besides imagine how nice that Chopard would look on you, or the Breguet, or that Roger Dubois that you'll get melt value for when you want to sell it
Maybe not soon, but one day... in the immortal words of Kerry Packer, there's a bit of the whore in all of us
What do you all make of this one. Its a gold cap 14363 with a cal 505, ca 1957, which would be correct for a 14368. I've had it for about 15 years, long before gold scraping major franking, but I've always suspected its a re-case. Comments would be appreciated.
Now that's different... wonder if its a Norman Morris job, like how they actually wrote Grand Luxe on the dials of gold-cap Seamasters
Another Ultima sold here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Men...=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557Purchases made through these links may earn this site a commission from the eBay Partner Network
I was considering it, but ultimately I passed due to the water damage on the dial and the case condition. Bought the 30T2RG instead.
Norm, that should be a solid gold case. The Ultima was the US version of the 14.324. It should be a caliber 505 housed inside a 14.368 as you suspect. I wouldn't mind an Ultima either, but the solid gold dialed 14.324 with the 352 is the more valuable watch. The dials are usually easier to find in better condition too.
I was under the impression the Ultima was the configuration of the 14324 on OEM 18K mesh bracelet, rather than being an actual name on the dial type model.
The European version might have been called the Ultima at a later time only since the two watches are related.
I quite like how it has a lot more harshness in its angles, and form than the Constellation Grand Lux to sort of differentiate it. The Grand Luxe is the watch a hero would wear, the Ultima looks like it was made for a villain.
