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Vintage Omega Cal 342, Original or Redial?

Dre
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Hi guys,

Just wondering if I could get your opinion on this watch below? I sold this watch to a mate last month, and now he asked me if I'm willing to take the watch back because he thinks that the dial has been reprinted. He said he has just had a chance to look on the dial under a loupe, and upon a discussion with his mate, he came to a conclusion that the dial has been reprinted.

His assumption was base on some inconsistencies and non-symmetrical on the minute markers, and that the dial is way too clean from a 1950s watch. To me, the overall condition of the whole watch is just great. Unpolished case, with very nice bevels on the lugs, original dial with radium, and the overall condition is just consistent.

Having said all that, I'm not an expert on dress Omega as I'm learning all the time as well, so I might’ve made a mistake. And just to be fair to my mate as well. Appreciate your help!


Thanks heaps

Andre

96657F8F-5C08-409E-AFE4-0D6D620EC94E.jpeg D03D45C2-2705-4EE4-B1AA-4E89133C64E3.jpeg 90794DD1-99F3-4D04-A18A-72EA6C9D0CC8.jpeg
 
gatorcpa
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IMO the dial printing is original. However, it is possible that the dial was cleaned, relaquered and relumed at one point. Hands look to have been relumed also.

The “Swiss” on the bottom of the dial is a tell for a US market watch. Is this a 14K or gold-filled case?

Nice looking watch regardless.
gatorcpa
 
Dre
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
IMO the dial printing is original. However, it is possible that the dial was cleaned, relaquered and relumed at one point. Hands look to have been relumed also.

The “Swiss” on the bottom of the dial is a tell for a US market watch. Is this a 14K or gold-filled case?

Nice looking watch regardless.
gatorcpa

Thanks for that, I’ve actually looked closely with a loupe and there’s no sign of relaquer on the dial. I’ve also tested the lume with a geiger counter as well as UV light, both showing original radium. I bought it as a barn find watch from a small auction/pawn shop that wouldn’t even touch the watch, as they’ll sell everything as is. It’s very unlikely IMO for someone who cleaned the dial, to only selling it to a small shop to be auctioned like that.

What makes him unsure was the printing of the markers as well. And yes it’s a US market watch if I’m not mistaken, it’s a solid gold case.
 
Tony C.
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Dre Dre
Thanks for that, I’ve actually looked closely with a loupe and there’s no sign of relaquer on the dial. I’ve also tested the lume with a geiger counter as well as UV light, both showing original radium."

Given the other information that you have provided, I don't really doubt that it is original. However, so as not to mislead less experienced readers, testing with a a geiger counter and UV light cannot prove the originality of the luminous material, only the presence of radium.
 
Canuck
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Looks original to me. Compare it to my Seamaster of the same vintage, with an untouched dial. FWIW. Mine is a very similar dial, but with no lume.

C5B805CA-86A7-46B3-B92A-691E829B783A.jpeg
 
Dre
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Case closed, thanks guys for the help as always! Cheers to @kyle L for his opinion as well through IG!
 
ConElPueblo
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Add my tiny voice to the choir of yay-sayers. Very nice condition, both case and dial.
 
Larry S
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Oh and on the nice dial from the 50s thing. I have several ...
 
gatorcpa
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Dre Dre
Thanks for that, I’ve actually looked closely with a loupe and there’s no sign of relaquer on the dial. I’ve also tested the lume with a geiger counter as well as UV light, both showing original radium. I bought it as a barn find watch from a small auction/pawn shop that wouldn’t even touch the watch, as they’ll sell everything as is. It’s very unlikely IMO for someone who cleaned the dial, to only selling it to a small shop to be auctioned like that.

What makes him unsure was the printing of the markers as well. And yes it’s a US market watch if I’m not mistaken, it’s a solid gold case.
You missed my point. Could have been done 50 years ago. The replaced lacquer would age normally and relume could certainly be radium.

The plots on markers look a bit heavy. Some dials were like that originally as well. It really is impossible to tell for sure.
gatorcpa
 
X350 XJR
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One more vote for completely original, especially when considering the crispness of the case.
 
Dre
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Larry S Larry S
Oh and on the nice dial from the 50s thing. I have several ...

You don’t say Larry 😒

gatorcpa gatorcpa
Could have been done 50 years ago.

I see your point now. Definitely something I’d need to consider in the future when looking at watches. But yeah, it’d be almost impossible to tell.

Thanks again guys! I just want to do this right because I want to give my mate a peace of mind, as well as for me to keep learning if I might’ve made a mistake.
 
chronoboy64
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+ 1 for all original
this is imo not more and not less than a watch in fantastic condition 👍
 
Canuck
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Such a nice watch. Why not offer to take the watch back, and refund HALF his money? I don’t know of such a thing as a warranty for customer regret.
 
ConElPueblo
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Canuck Canuck
Such a nice watch. Why not offer to take the watch back, and refund HALF his money? I don’t know of such a thing as a warranty for customer regret.

You did read the part about it being his mate who had bought it from him, right? Seems like a pretty hard line to follow 😉
 
Kapka
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I’m not an expert on “redial” subject but it is hard to judge without having it under the loupe. There is no obvious traces on the pictures you attached and it seems like your buddy is manly sceptical about how that watch can be in sucha good shape after all these years. It is hard to convince someone with that mindset. Here below is mine cal 342 with pretty nice dial..They do exist 😀
 
85436A06-B1AF-406F-A516-1CAE8076450E.jpeg 8AED2D71-3792-4941-A7EE-E367D1041E9D.jpeg
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