Solved Help find Ref/Model on this *1928 Omega Tonneau

thewristelier · Feb 2, 2022

Hello all,

Just purchased this piece and would love to find out more about it. Does anyone have an old advert or catalogue where it's referenced? Any kind of info would be appreciated - I've only found that it might be dated to around 1937. The watch hasn't yet arrived so I don't have photos of the movement, but I believe it's a cal. 26.5 .. I can confirm later. The case is sterling silver and measures ~ 30mm x 40mm

Here are some photos:
(Possibly the same watch, this one was on sale in ~2014)

(Actual watch I bought)

Many thanks for your time!

mac_omega · Feb 2, 2022

The watch case seems to be authentic (except the crown) but the dials on both watches are bad re-prints.
Photos could show the same watch... 😕

thewristelier · Feb 2, 2022

mac_omega
The watch case seems to be authentic but the dials on both watches are bad re-prints

Well, I don't know I'd call it "bad" besides the logo now that you point it out.. but I guess I had overlooked that. Could you estimate an approximate valuation?

I suppose I should start looking for an original dial but I imagine it may be hard to find..

Thank you

DaveK · Feb 2, 2022

It’s handsome, I see why you like it 👍

thewristelier · Feb 2, 2022

DaveK
It’s handsome, I see why you like it 👍

Much appreciated, Dave!

mac_omega · Feb 2, 2022

purplecat
I've only found that it might be dated to around 1937. The watch hasn't yet arrived so I don't have photos of the movement, but I believe it's a cal. 26.5

The movement should not be a cal. 26.5 but a gold plated cal. 13´´´
Looks like this:

Case model# (ref.#) is 592.13
the watch is much older than you expect. - It is around 1915

thewristelier · Feb 2, 2022

mac_omega
The movement should not be a cal. 26.5 but a gold plated cal. 13´´´
Looks like this:

Case model# (ref.#) is 592.13
the watch is much older than you expect. - It is around 1915

Fantastic, thank you for this info and the photo, Mac. I'll need to double check the movement once it arrives - my cal. 26.5 assumption was based on a similar but different model.

I still hope to see an original dial or catalogue/advert photo if you or anyone else reading has their hands on either.

UncleBuck · Feb 2, 2022

Tonneau case with hinged "securitas" lug is an easy search, here is what AJTT shows.
Yann, @Tire-comedon , is my go-to authority for ads and info from this era.

thewristelier · Feb 2, 2022

UncleBuck
Tonneau case with hinged "securitas" lug is an easy search, here is what AJTT shows.
Yann, @Tire-comedon , is my go-to authority for ads and info from this era.

Thanks for sharing Buck (great flick). I'll try reaching out to Yan and continue searching for the roman numeral model, but at least this confirms the caliber and gives me a better idea of what the logo should look like.. Should help me source an appropriate crown as well!

UncleBuck · Feb 2, 2022

Erich, @mac_omega, commented earlier that the dial has been refinished, so you may not find a similar dial on this model.
While not original, it certainly has a nice look and if serviced would be a great watch to wear on rare occasion (no water resistance or shock protection).
Pop it open when you get it and let's see the inside.
I love the look of these tonneau's, mine says hi. (old photo from Kyle L.)

thewristelier · Feb 2, 2022

UncleBuck
Erich, @mac_omega, commented earlier that the dial has been refinished, so you may not find a similar dial on this model.
While not original, it certainly has a nice look and if serviced would be a great watch to wear on rare occasion (no water resistance or shock protection).
Pop it open when you get it and let's see the inside.
I love the look of these tonneau's, mine says hi. (old photo from Kyle L.)

I appreciate the supportive words. I generally stay away from redials but I agree, I couldn't resist getting my hands on a tonneau and I think it looks quite alright, all things considered. I actually dug up another example of this model on antiquorum, but not sure if that one's original either - if logo should look more like yours and sub-second crosshair doesn't look quite centered with the 12/6 markers.. plus too clean? The crown looks similar to mine but it's hard to tell from just one photo, maybe both newer replacements. Also claims it to be house a cal. 12 - we'll see when mine arrives.

So you're the owner of that golden beauty .. saw this pop up in my searches recently, it's a fantastic piece! 👍

I'll upload more photos hopefully in the next week or so.

mac_omega · Feb 2, 2022

@purplecat

Please don´t rely on what you see on randomly found photos. Both sources (Antiquorum and the large photo in the Omega book AJTT) show reprinted dials (I am sure it more likely looked as on the watch visible in the ad). Auction houses often don´t have the expertise to describe watches accurately or they deliberately ommit crucial aspects like refinished dials in their lot description for obvious reasons 😒
Although Omega´s book often is a great source of knowledge it is still full of misleading photos of restored watches.
My advice to you: better to rely on experienced fellow collectors on OF
@UncleBuck showed a well preserved (although a bit younger and different reference) - the logo and font should look similar
This is the logo as it should look like

It is a bit faded and on a "wave area" but it gives you an idea.
And another one from a socalled "Banana" of about the same era

These early watches often had "guilloched" (structured = engine-turned) surfaces on their dials

thewristelier · Feb 3, 2022

mac_omega
@purplecat

Please don´t rely on what you see on randomly found photos. Both sources (Antiquorum and the Omega book AJTT) show reprinted dials. Auction houses often don´t have the expertise to describe watches accurately or they deliberately ommit crucial aspects like refinished dials in their lot description for obvious reasons 😒
Although Omega´s book often is a great source of knowledge it is still full of misleading photos of restored watches.
My advice to you: better to rely on experienced fellow collectors on OF
@UncleBuck showed a well preserved (although a bit younger and different reference) - the logo and font should look similar
This is the logo as it should look like

It is a bit faded and on a "wave area" but it gives you an idea.
And another one from a socalled "Banana" of about the same era

These early watches often had "guilloched" (structured = engine-turned) surfaces on their dials

Your tips and advice are very appreciated - OF has been an immense help in general, not just in this case, though I should have questioned sooner.

I would consider having the logo re-done, if not the whole dial, but I don't know if it's even worth it (especially in the eyes of collectors). I'll try sourcing an original dial here on the forum when the watch arrives. My intention is to keep and enjoy the watch of course. If you know someone from the community who might have a correct dial, please do share so I can reach out.

thewristelier · Feb 23, 2022

@mac_omega @UncleBuck so the watch just arrived today but I don't know how to get to the movement. I see there is a small flathead screw under the bottom left and top right corners of the dial, are these what is holding the movement in place? Is there a specific way to remove it afterwards to keep everything safe? Should I wait until the movement is stopped/unwound?

Also does this crown look like a replacement?

Cheers
Alex

UncleBuck · Feb 23, 2022

purplecat
Is there a specific way to remove it afterwards to keep everything safe?

Yes! Just use one of these......

Seriously, the screws would be a reasonable assumption but DO NOT take my word for it! Erich, @mac_omega very well may know but sit tight and the more knowledgeable may help.

river9 · Feb 23, 2022

A more than centenarian watch👍 Like it although can't tell about authenticity being rocky.
From a candid eye 😀... Would like to point out that the one pictured in 2014' sale ad and photo by OP could not be the same watch ... since the OP seems to own a 2 tone dial. Perhaps in the meantime that dial has been "enhanced"?
Pls see photo below

mac_omega · Feb 24, 2022

I confirm that these 2 screws have to be removed, then you can take out the movement/dial unit without risk.
And yes, the crown is a replacement

thewristelier · Feb 24, 2022

river9
A more than centenarian watch👍 Like it although can't tell about authenticity being rocky.
From a candid eye 😀... Would like to point out that the one pictured in 2014' sale ad and photo by OP could not be the same watch ... since the OP seems to own a 2 tone dial. Perhaps in the meantime that dial has been "enhanced"?
Pls see photo below

I think it's just the angle and how the dial is catching the light that changes the appearance, I'm pretty sure they're the same watch.. I can recreate the same single color effect in the sun. The case itself otherwise feels like a dream in the hand and on the wrist 😀

mac_omega
I confirm that these 2 screws have to be removed, then you can take out the movement/dial unit without risk.
And yes, the crown is a replacement

Great, thanks for confirming. Sadly none of my micro-flathead screwdrivers are thin enough to catch the screw so I'll likely visit a local watchmaker tomorrow if I don't find any other tools in the meantime.

thewristelier · Feb 24, 2022

@mac_omega @UncleBuck I managed to get it open but the movement doesn't seem to match, perhaps a later caliber? Do the case hallmarks even look authentic? 😕 Apologies for the unclear case photo

mac_omega · Feb 24, 2022

Case markings look OK
the movement looks like a cal. 26.5 which is a bit younger than the usually found cal 13´´´
IMO this watch deserves an EoA - but give them the case serial# only as these early watches are searched by case# in the archive.

*Solved* Help find Ref/Model on this *1928 Omega Tonneau

Solved Help find Ref/Model on this *1928 Omega Tonneau