Omega

. . . quite like this one.  Rose gold bezel and dial furniture on a steel case: highly unusual.  Chronometer rating: even more so.  Cal 352? 

Practically unique. 

I've come across one (or possibly two) cal 352 ref 2494s in the past, but none as exquisite as this, decked out in rose gold.  Most 2494s are unrated, and the few that are are fitted with cal 354 movements.  This one has a low production number cal 352 movement, distinguished by higher grade finishing of critical parts and rg regulation.  It's so early in the production schedule that it doesn't have 'Seamaster' on the dial.  And, the caseback doesn't share stamping with ref 2657, as most do.  Best of all, it's a screwed back jumbo.  Chronometers are scarce enough; screw back jumbos are positively rare.  As we say in LA, crème de la crème.

So when this one popped up on eBay, my eyes were wide as saucers.  Then, I saw where it was located: Argentina.  Now, I've bought a few movement parts from overseas, but never a watch.  I was leery about contacting the seller. 

In a flash, the inspiration came: Abel lives in Argentina!  Maybe he can track the seller down and be my vicarious 'eyes on the prize'.   

So I sent him a pm.  Scores of pm's later, we'd come to a dead end.  The seller was located, but oddly enough, he was in America on business!  As it happened, though, he turned out to be a difficult person to deal with, and finally I advised Abel that we should forget the whole deal.

A few weeks go by, and the watch figuratively drops into Abel's lap!  Seems the seller decided to give us one last try.  Abel contacted me, saying, "It's yours if you want it."  And I said, "Yesterday!"  (Or words to that effect.)

Grazie mille, Abel.  Friendships like ours are priceless.

Warmest,

Art

 

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