Dear Experts, I would like to hear your thoughts on this 18kt YG Omega Ambassador (1946, cal 28.10) that I am looking at? Sellers pictures are shown, unfortunately none available of the movement, but I will try to get that. I was wondering about the pristine dial, which has a little blemish under the "u" of automatic, being original or not and the price (asking 1000 euros) being reasonable for this type of watch in this condition? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Well, assuming the one above is not a franken, this type watch is called Ambassador because it was featured in Omega ads of the time as the " ambassador of Swiss precision".
I would want to see pictures of the movement and the inside of the caseback before considering the watch seriously.
Yes, the movement should be a 28.10 with the exposed springs. The hands are correct and very nice. If Erich thinks the dial is OK then that is a fine recommendation, too.
As far as the look it almost looks too clean. But I do like the fact it has a little of a Hamilton feel to it.
Right, the bets are on ! (if you look at the strap, you can see the lugs are 18mm. Using that as my scale, I make the case diameter only 34mm, so I am still putting my money on the 28.10 )
Thank you for all the input. I have asked the seller for pictures of movement and inside of case back and will post once received.
Well, it's Erich who lost the bet but I don't think he put any money on it Yes, the sweep second hand was rather obvious and that particular penny dropped just as I was tucked up in bed and drifting off to sleep last night . . .
As promised, here is a picture of movement and case back. I don't like the scratches on the lug, which seem to be on the hallmark, but difficult to see. Only reason for that would be to hide the fact that it is 14 kt and not 18 kt YG. Case back number is 10705649 and movement number is 10552489.
Thanks for the photo. The movement looks very good, in nice condition with all the plating intact. The bumper springs are also correct, which is often not the case. It is definitely a cal 28.10 RA SC. The interesting and unusual thing about this case is that as I conjectured the back is not the routine press-in (or snap-on) variety, but the type which is held on by an outer retaining ring, a bit like having a bezel on the rear as well as the dial side of the case. You should note that this does make it somewhat more difficult to access the movement for regulation and maintenance. The inside of the case back has all the correct markings, including the ones for 18k gold. Which makes the damage to the back of the lug very hard to understand - they look to be deliberate scratches, but if they are intended to obscure the hallmark, then why? I am sure that the case must also be 18k, as this type of retained back will only fit this style of case. And the serial numbers of the case and movement match up in terms of period, around 1945 - 46 for both.
Thanks John. The movement does look very clean and I assume serviced, since the springs and stop look brand new to me. I am also confused about the scratches, because they are too obvious if indeed on the hallmark. I looked up the 28.10 cal in the Omega vintage database and found only SS versions and one in gold, ref. OJ 2517 14 kt, but that was a chronometer. Via Google I then found a reference OT 2421 that was indeed 18 kt and looks like the ambassador model sold by Antiquorum/Omegamania and has the 28.10 RA caliber. Funny how the Omega data base works, eg that the OT 2421 does not show up under the 28.10 search but only under its reference search, but then states it as a 28.10 RA caliber. Anyway, I am still interested in the watch and will try to find out about the scratches from the seller, but remain a little unsure about the dial. Because being pristine and then with one blemish, I may end up just seeing the blemish....
My take is if you like the model, it would be difficult to get a better one at 1000Euros. It is not a commonly found model in solid gold and even more difficult to find in this condition - I agree with Erich and think the dial is original. And that scratch to me is a minor point.
The reason for this is a quirk of the OVD. You need to search for these calibres as both "28.10" and also "28,10" (the same with "30.10" and "30,10" etc). Data has been input both ways . . .
Hello bieb1, There is no hallmark on the lug on this model, the only one on the outside of the case is situated on the side between 8 and 10 o'clock opposite to the crown. It should match the one next to 18k, 750, probably a woman head. The dial is original and nearly impossible to reprint in this quality. The scratches you mention were probably made by some ++++++ trying to change the strap. It is a very nice and rare model in this condition, actually it is Omega's first automatic model. Enjoy.
Thank you all for your help and comments. Also, as omegastar points out, I found the hallmark on the side of the case in this other picture I received. So I will take the leap and add it to the collection.