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When Did Omega Start Putting Their Logo On The Hesalite Xtals?

  1. tomvox1 Feb 6, 2013

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    Obviously, from at least the late 1950s/early 1960s, all genuine Omega plexi crystals seem to have the logo in the center. But does anyone know exactly when this practice began in terms of year of production? Magic year of 1957 maybe? Earlier?
    TIA & best,
    T.
     
  2. ulackfocus Feb 6, 2013

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    I've seen this question asked a dozen times and I've yet to read a definitive answer. I would think it was sometime in the mid 50's but can't pin down a year for certain.
     
  3. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Feb 6, 2013

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    My 2648 Constellation has one and it is the correct low done no reflector ring type for this reference and believed to be original as the watch is all original and untouched.

    So that would be at least as early as 1952.
     
  4. cicindela Steve @ ΩF Staff Member Feb 6, 2013

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    Yes, I would go with early 50's too, if not, at least no earlier then late 40's
     
  5. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Feb 6, 2013

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    My Ref. 2657 "date at 6" has a marked crystal with a 13M serial number.

    My Ref. 2517 chronometer with an 11.5M serial number did not come with one. Omega told me that one was made in 1950.

    Best I can do is say early 1950's, based on my personal observations,
    gatorcpa
     
  6. MSNWatch Vintage Omega Aficionado Staff Member Feb 6, 2013

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    Have early 50s and late 50s NOS omegas with no logo on the crystal. Also have NOS mid 60s watch with the logo.
     
  7. tomvox1 Feb 7, 2013

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    I wonder if maybe Omega was using two grades of xtal in that case, i.e. "armored hesalite" with logo and something else in acrylic w/o logo? Are any of your NOS 50s sans logo non-water resistant dress-type models?

    Or maybe this is a market-oriented feature--yes to the logo xtal in Europe and no in the States at this time for example?
    Or perhaps these logo crytals were just being gradually introduced across the model lines and it took some time for everything to have them...

    Either way, thanks everyone for your valuable insights on this relatively insignificant detail! :D
    Best,
    T.
     
  8. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Feb 7, 2013

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    I think that is probably where it started. The higher level models, like Seamasters and Constellations, tend to show the logo crystals earlier.

    Not sure about US national production at that time. There were so many variations in the models and suppliers, it's really impossible to tell.

    Hope this helps,
    gatorcpa
     
  9. Sherbie Feb 7, 2013

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    Folks

    One silly question: is the omega logo on the outside or inside please?

    cheers, paul
     
  10. X350 XJR Vintage Omega Aficionado Feb 7, 2013

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    Inside.
     
  11. Sherbie Feb 7, 2013

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    Excellent - so no chance of polishing them off then.

    Thanks, paul
     
  12. Littleroger Feb 7, 2013

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    Depends how much you polish, I suppose!
     
  13. tomvox1 Feb 7, 2013

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    Always--thanks! :thumbsup:
    Best,
    T.
     
  14. MSNWatch Vintage Omega Aficionado Staff Member Feb 7, 2013

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    They had ring crystals.
     
  15. apollo XI Feb 8, 2013

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    An Omega that I bought from the first and only owner, who told me he never did a service, is from 1954; so my modest opinion is, like other members says, that the production started at first '50.


    Giuseppe.