Vintage Omega SM 300 BT/no date with some interesting bits >

I got this watch from a watchmaker in Australia who told me it had been abandoned years ago.
Note the pencil hour hand, non-screw down crown and a bezel with an early, rare font.

The dial lume is original, crazy that it hasn't discolored but there's no doubt in my mind it's original. The H/M hands were relumed at some time in the past but I'll correct that with a better color match.

I've sent a request to Omega for an extract of the archives.

Enjoy.

B/R,
jack@iww

Wow, in a straight lug case that is certainly rare. My guess is that Omega was using up existing parts that were in house hence some of the variants that pop up every now and then.

Can you elaborate on why you think that lume is original?

Hi Ferik, yes, I can elaborate on why I believe the lume on the dial is original; I have personally restored/repaired/examined many and I do mean many examples of vintage SM 300s over the last 15 years, as well as numerous other vintage watches of every ilk/mfgr/value etc.

Based on my experience this lume is original. The texture/color is certainly not any application other than Omega's original application. We're it questionable in any way, shape or form I would not make such a definitive statement.

One of my specialties and areas of "expertise" (and I use that term loosely ;-), is luminous applications; both discerning what is original, what is not and also restoring vintage luminous applications to correctly replicate/match original applications in color/texture etc.

Also, just from a personal POV, I would not have paid what I did for this watch if I didn't believe 100% that the dial's lume was original. ;-)

You should visit my web site if you have not done so, I think you'll find some interesting watches there. Enjoy!

That's a lovely dial! I've got a RN300 with BT dial that's almost exactly like it. I agree, dial looks original as per Jack. 👍

What prevented that lume to age like mine?

Yes, I have seen some RNs with this green color lume as well.

Luminous materials age with considerable variation. Many factors are involved such as humidity/moisture intrusion, UV exposure, what type of binder was used for the Tritium application ie. water based or acrylic (if that was even an option back in the day.)

And who knows what the consistency of the pigment "recipes" was between the various manufacturers at that time as well.

A lot of variables were in play IMHO.

Just curious if you could post some close-up pictures of the lumes on dial as well as the hands?

Great to see you here Jack! Missed out on quite a few SM300 you posted for sale over the other site.

Not even close.

Does the glow match between hands and dial? I might be tempted to leave them....

Tom