This is a pic of the back of my latest acquisition which has what a appears to be a reverse 'J' It is not scratched on but impressed as if it's itentionally part of the original die. Any ideas would be welcome.
It may be stamped but it doesn't look like it was part of the original die. For one thing the curvature of the lower end isn't smooth. Its less of a L and more of a hook like a backwards J. It may have been stamped as an identifying mark by a previous owner. Its Sans Serif so I don't think it was from an English language set of lettering dies, also too sharp. Has a vaguely Indian or Pakistani look to it. I've seen BSA made Enfield rifles with the range markings on the sights done in IIRC "Gupta" and the numbers resembled this in a way. I'll check on the fonts and get back to you.
No variation like that to my knowledge. Looks like a gouge to me but it could be an intentional engraving.
The Siamese Ariyaka script has a backwards J symbol corresponding to the English U. The Gupta Nine resembles this mark.
I think its intentional. An accidental gouge that deep and sharp would have done more visible damage to the area around it. Its too focused to be a mishap.
off topic but could I see the front of the watch please? Anyone know which references have the observatory in steel and not gold?
You can find that info here: http://omega-constellation-collectors.blogspot.com/2008/03/constellation-medallions.html The first references with steel medallion are 168.004 and 168.005.
up until the 14381/14393 the medallion was gold. Applied on steel and gold cap cases and embossed on gold cases. After that gold medallions were used on gold and gold cap cases, embossed steel on steel cases.