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Title: Help Identifying an Unusual Omega “Regulateur” Wristwatch (Cal. ? / SN 8.55m, ~1935)

E
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Hello everyone,





I recently acquired an unusual Omega wristwatch and I’m trying to learn more about it. I would be grateful for any insights from the community.

Here are the details:
  • Dial: Signed Omega Regulateur. Central minutes, small hours at 12 o’clock (Roman numerals), small seconds at 9 o’clock.
  • Case: Steel, hinged back. Diameter ~? mm (standard wrist size).
  • Movement: Hand-wound, marked Omega, Swiss, 15 Jewels. Serial number 8550063, which according to Omega serial lists dates to around 1934–1936.
  • Condition: Running, with later replacement strap.

Observations so far:
  • The regulator dial layout is highly unusual for Omega wristwatches.
  • It may be a so-called marriage watch (pocket watch movement/dial placed into a wristwatch case).
  • The dial could be a redial or aftermarket production, as Omega regulator dials are not known in catalogues from this era.
  • The movement looks like a typical 1930s 15j Omega pocket calibre, but I’m unsure which exact calibre designation (maybe 38.5 L, 35x family?).
  • Some sellers online list similar watches as “WW2 regulator Omega” or “military conversion,” but I haven’t found any verified evidence that Omega supplied regulator wristwatches for military use.
  • From what I found, Omega’s actual WW2 service watches were RAF CK2292 (Cal. 30T2), and the later WWW “Dirty Dozen,” neither with regulator dials.
My questions to the forum:

  1. Has anyone ever seen an authentic Omega “Regulateur” wristwatch from the 1930s?
  2. Is this almost certainly a pocket-watch conversion (marriage watch), or is there a chance Omega produced some in small numbers?
  3. Can anyone help identify the exact calibre based on the photos of the movement?
  4. Any information on whether such regulator dials were ever used in military context, or strictly aftermarket?

I’m attaching photos of the dial and movement for reference.


Thanks a lot in advance - any historical or technical input would be greatly appreciated!

image.webp image.webp image.webp
 
Dan S
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yes, a conversion with modified dial. the caliber is written under the balance.
 
E
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Should I keep the watch, or is there a market or collector for it?
Please excuse this question; I'm not familiar with this segment.
 
DON
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All it takes is a post for a second setting gear and a post for the hour gear and you have a regulator

Can do the same for wrist watches. It's how some Dr.'s movements are made
 
DON
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E emrod77
Should I keep the watch, or is there a market or collector for it?
Please excuse this question; I'm not familiar with this segment.
Did you buy it and can you return it? If disclosed on an auction and listed as created. Can't return. If listed as a genuine watch. Then the seller lied and it can be returned.

Bought at a pawn shop type store. Probably sold as is.
 
E
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I found it in my late father's old things.
But I've never seen it on him and don't know any history behind it.
Unfortunately, I haven't found anything similar to compare. And the prices on eBay, for example, are usually more than exaggerated.
 
ErichKeane
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Looks like a 5L.T1 best I can tell, apparently ~1938 manufacture: https://pocketwatchdatabase.com/search/result/omega-watch-co/8550063

The case is pretty ruined by the conversion. The dial is obviously ruined. At least 1 hand is obviously ruined. The movement itself is modified as well for the 'regulator'.

As far as value, this has very little. It is about a 'parts movement', though somewhat incomplete (thanks to the modified parts). In GOOD condition, these are about a $250 pocket watch. They seem to go for ~$100 for a parts movement, so I'd suspect thats about what you could get for it.

That said, if it has sentimental value, I'd suggest just wearing it. It won't be worth doing anything else with.
 
Dan S
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there is no particular market or value for the watch. presumably it's just something your father enjoyed.
 
padders
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These were often converted in Ukraine and used to be called Kiev specials. Value? Next to nothing but it is an interesting thing. Just not remotely original. I do wonder who it was who was making these since there are hundreds out there and some like this would have involved quite a lot of work.
 
JimInOz
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padders padders
These were often converted in Ukraine and used to be called Kiev specials. Value? Next to nothing but it is an interesting thing. Just not remotely original. I do wonder who it was who was making these since there are hundreds out there and some like this would have involved quite a lot of work.
"Wandolec Specials", from the ID of the seller that used to churn them out on eBay.
 
JimInOz
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ErichKeane ErichKeane
Looks like a 38.5L.T1 best I can tell,
FIFY
😉

Introduced in 1932, later renamed caliber 160 and produced up until 1966 in different variants.
 
DON
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padders padders
These were often converted in Ukraine and used to be called Kiev specials. Value? Next to nothing but it is an interesting thing. Just not remotely original. I do wonder who it was who was making these since there are hundreds out there and some like this would have involved quite a lot of work.

I wouldn’t say worthless. Some are done quite well and popular. Especially a little after Panerai came out to cater to the big watch scene. Someone I knew bought an IWC one with nicely finished dial and professionally made case. Not a converted one.

Grieg & Benzinger make (or made) a business out of converting orphan movements which is what others did when gold cases probably got scraped
 
ErichKeane
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JimInOz JimInOz
FIFY
😉

Introduced in 1932, later renamed caliber 160 and produced up until 1966 in different variants.
Ah, I saw the 5L.T1 engraving but was less sure about the 38, as I couldn't tell it apart from the other Google results with other numbers 😀
 
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