White second hand on 1949 Omega 2537-3 correct or not?

Swedesign · Jan 1, 2021

Hi alI,
This is my first post here on the forum and I wish you all a happy New and better 2021.

To the subject. I have just made a full service on this very nice and untouched Omega 2537-3. I believe it´s a one owner watch and it is a very well preserved one. No scratches on the movemet or screws etc. My only concern are the second hand. It looks like it was painted white original however not sure. I have seen some other Officer and pre Officer watches with white second hand and also dials handpainted lume. Probably made by Brandt the Swedish Omega agent at the time.
It´s a Swedish sold watch and as many Omegas they have been used by the Swedish military or sold to military service men.

Does anybody have any information on white painted second hands during the WW2 years?

Tony C. · Jan 1, 2021

I am not an expert on the model, but would be more concerned about the originality of the lume in the hour and minute hands. It doesn't look like ~70 year-old radium to my eye. The second hand, however, looks to me as though it probably is original.

Maskelyne · Jan 2, 2021

Hello and welcome! I have seen several colours on second hands such as white, black, and red second hands on oldies. In my opinion the second hand is original. The other hands are relumed. Regarding the painted hands I guess that's for better readability.

Here is a 2384 with a similar layout...

mac_omega · Jan 2, 2021

A white painted second hand makes sense on a dark dial

minute and hour hands seem to be re-lumed as already stated by others

Swedesign · Jan 7, 2021

Tony C.
I am not an expert on the model, but would be more concerned about the originality of the lume in the hour and minute hands. It doesn't look like ~70 year-old radium to my eye. The second hand, however, looks to me as though it probably is original.

Thanks for your reply. The hour and minute hand are original Omega and not re-lumed, however they could have been changed sometime to newer ones but also the dail lume are in very good condition. I know that the Omega agent here in Sweden (Brandt) switched dials and hands for their customers so they coult have fitted the white hand if not Omega did deliver the watch with a white hand. I will keep the white hand as I believe it could be correct.

Swedesign · Jan 7, 2021

Maskelyne
Hello and welcome! I have seen several colours on second hands such as white, black, and red second hands on oldies. In my opinion the second hand is original. The other hands are relumed. Regarding the painted hands I guess that's for better readability.

Here is a 2384 with a similar layout...

Thanks for your reply. I believe the white hand could be correct either from Omega or from Brandt (the Swedish agent) The hour and minute hands are original Omega with original lume but could have been changed during the years.

Swedesign · Jan 7, 2021

mac_omega
A white painted second hand makes sense on a dark dial

minute and hour hands seem to be re-lumed as already stated by others

Thanks for your reply. They are original Omega hands with original lume but may have been switched to these maybe newer hands.