DeGeus
278
To be honest Thomas,
I find it very difficult to comprehense the technical nomenclature. With the 18j. movement on the table, it was pointed out to me in French but at the same time virtually impossible to grasp in my mother-language, let alone reproduce here in English. Maybe somebody in our circle could shine a laserpointer? An observation: although higher numbers of 'stones' (rubis) could be ordered already from the moment of introduction (1941 for SC T2 version), estimated more than 99½% were delivered in standard 16 jewel lay-out. With this as reference, a potential client for 18j. was to gain not one but two extra stone-bearings. Although theoretically possible, SC versions with 17j. from this period are as yet unheard off -> if making extra costs better to go 'all the way' than 'half-hearted' most probably. Only with the appearance of caliber 280 in 1948 did the standard number go up from 16 to 17j. Could it considered to be an 'overkill' to equip this movement with eighteen stones? - not easy to say. Fact is that even in the Rg-chronometer movements and later calibers up to and including the 286, Omega did never go beyond a number of 17 (motto: "enough is enough"?). And Marco Richon even doesn't mention the fact when showing illustrations of Anti Magnetic 30mm's in his books. Practical value or not - collectors will cherish these beautiful movements, with an added bonus because of their scarcity. regards, Ben.
2254- 18 jewels-revisited.
omega.watchprosite.com Hi all. Today, I bought a 2254- 18 jewels on fleabay. I need more info about the watch and here are the pics. Is it a military watch ? a pilot watch ? Any relation with RCAF , 18 jewels ? Best. Hoi....
ref. 2254
Interesting subject Hoi. Somewhere between 1993/95 in discussion with people from the museum in Bienne, I was surprised to learn that Omega was able already in 1941 to supply the 30mm movements (both the classic and SC version) with up to 18 jewels. Never...
Thanks for sharing Ben.
The reason I asked if it is a pilot watch or a RCAF, because not too long ago, I bought this It was listed as "OLD MILITARY OMEGA WATCH BLACK DIAL 30SC T2 WW2 PILOT" from a seller in Toronto Canada. Ai first, I doubted that it was one from RCAF until Gato...
Nice watch
Hi Hoi I was bidding on that one myself!! The fixed lugs were not correct for that case.( to the best of my knowledge). I actually had both the snapback that was in the Canadian RCAF Omega ad and the screwback case style. I personally prefer the screwback...
Damn...
So you where the guys bidding it up I was also bidding for a while. I trust she went to a good home Good catch Cheers Hans
Sorry for the most basic question...
....where is the 18th jewel? Bottom pivot of the barrel arbor? Tom
To be honest Thomas,
I find it very difficult to comprehense the technical nomenclature . With the 18j. movement on the table, it was pointed out to me in French but at the same time virtually impossible to grasp in my mother-language, let alone reproduce here in English. May...
example of ..
.. a straight forward 'civilian' 18j. 30T2SC (without "anti magnetic" title) with somewhat dull uninteresting dial (original??). This ref.2242 was shipped to South Africa in June 1943. It shows that after lifting a backcover, surprises can be experienced....
I do not think...
Hi Hoi, I do not think this is a pilot´s watch - too small, no movable bezel.... A military? Just only because the black dial? There are lots with black dials around! Maybe, but should have military markings IMO The interesting features on this particula...
Largest part agreed Erich,
although I would like to think that not every pilot's watch must have an adjustable bezel. As for size: it seems that the war-model UK2292 (Fleet Air Arm, RAF pilots, navigators) and CK2777 (RAF post-war) are more or less of similar diameter like this CK2...
Yet another
This is a very interesting thread. I have a similar one - with the 18J movement, essentially identical to Hoipolloi's second watch. I have seen Bill's earlier posts on these, but sadly I have no idea on the origins of my particular watch. Again, case etc....
No military markings on my either.
Hi Kris. By looking at the lugs, I can tell that yours is the same like mine,, there is no military markings on it but maybe Canadian Royal Air Force had to order them for their own at that time (didn't want to share from British R.A.F ?) and they are jus...
Archives
Hi Hoi, Have you tried to get an extract from the Omega archives for yours? Curious to see if that says anything useful. K.
Not all casebacks had the reference number...
...based on the information at Omega, your watch's case was produced during or after 1943. You could send the serial number off to Omega for confirmation of the mating of movement and case, but I'm not sure if they still have this information. http://62.7...
until 1944..
.. all steel cases were engraved with a unique casing' serial #, which system was consequently changed into a 4-digit (at the period - later more digits) ref. #. For gold cases this change-over took place in 1956. On the picture below are three non-magnet...
2179 with /3 or /6 ?
I have some 2179's, too. And according to Omega, there were 10,000 units delivered to US Army at that time and they have /3 or /6 or ??? following 2179. Today, I took two of them out and compared. they are 2179/6 and 2179/3 Strange enough, the backs are n...
It is possible that..
..Omega was ordering from and supplied by different case manufacturing companies, hence slight differences. With the war still going on or just about to end, maybe improvisation was sometimes called for and make do as much as possible with what was availa...
Hmmm
Thanks for that - nice to see your collections I think I should pay Omega the CHF75 to find out. Mine seems a little earlier perhaps, with a 9.6M serial number on the 18J movement and a case number of 10175778. Hopefully they can tell me something interes...
Extract ordered
Well, I have just ordered my extract from the archives. I will see if it says anything interesting in 1 month when it arrives. This has turned into an exceptionally interesting thread. All these comparative photos are incredibly valuable.
Back from the watchmaker, so...
here are some detailed photos of mine (none of movement, but it is the 18J 30SCT2, no shock protection). New crystal and full clean and oil. Seems the Crown is not original. It joins my 1941/42 26.5T3 and a '63 Seamaster....
26.5 T3 Non Magnetic.
I like your 26.5 and I bought one today. Here are the pics from the seller. Please give comments. Maybe it needs a crown like this....
Crown
Great to see another 26.5 Mine has no inca-block. If it helps I believe the crown on my 26.5 is 100% original, rather than a thin one like that. Having said that yours is a bit more recent (mine is a 9.4M serial) and a different case style, so you are pro...
26.5 T3 PC AM
Yes, mine is 1943 and I will have to find a correct crown for it. If you need a crown, you can pick one from this box, Trim ....
That is a...
handy collection of crowns! I will post some movement pics when I get home from Europe, I am still here for just over a week. The 26.5 is one of my wrist regulars, I am rather fond of it. It also has a screw back. Seems your 26.5 regular took some damage,...
...
Yes, certainly. That is a very very nice watch, I would wear it often I hate to think how many Omega you have in your collection - I get the impression it is large! This message has been edited by trim on 2010-05-31 07:21:57
2254, 18 jewels
My 2254 is here today. The second hand is original, the hour and minute hands have been relumed....
Extract of the archives
Hi All, Well, I got my very expensive extract from OMEGA. This does not settle anything unfortunately. It is confirmed as a 2242 case, but does not indicate to whom it was shipped. The interesting things are, the production date, and the fact that it is a...
I would not worry...
Hi Trim, I would not worry about the "special adjustment" - this means you have a chronometer rated movement without the "bulletin de marche" and without the wording "chronometre" on the dial - nothing uncommon with Omega! Early chronometers often lack t...
Well, about the dial...
Actually I wasn't too worried about the dial description, as the outer minute track is what I would describe as 'pink satin', the black is applied over this base during manufacture. I am 100% certain the dial is original, so perhaps I should query this wi...
Black dial Omega revisited
Hi Trim, What made me worry more about is the fact that there is no mention of a black dial in the extract of archives. There should be a pink satin dial which is obviously absent... I would check back with omega if there was a typo - not uncommon either!...
Now it makes...
Hi Trim, now it makes sense! I think at the Omega archive there are so many orders for extracts that there occur errors quite frequently I guess. It is worth while to check back and ask questions... regards erich
Congrats Trim
Hi Trim. I am very happy to know that, so , yours could be one of these I bought mine from Ontario, Canada. and they may be in the same batch. Best....
O me, o my..
.. what a mistake to make.. and what a way in which to describe the movement finish.. (was there a song "nights in pink satin" perhaps?). Yes, destination Canada (with lots of troubles and delays to arrive there because of the war and other shortages), th...
stardust
Trim's picture concerning the semi-mil. model in the Musée shows a white (arrowshaped) seconds indicator instead of the (more frequently appearing) red-coloured and straightshaped hand. And there is no "NonMagnetic" designation on the dial but a rather un...
Museum watch
Yes the Omega Museum watch is not non-magnetic and I don't recall if he told me where it was sold to. The archivist did explain the meaning of the star on the dial, but I've forgotten what he said - definitely original to that particular watch. I might em...
More info
Following this up, with reference to the Museum's example of this watch. Omega 30 mm “Teddington”, 1942: Calibre 30 SC T2, matt black dial, silvered minute track, semi-centre-aimed skeleton Arabic numerals, luminous hands, centre seconds hand with an arro...
Info
After years of acquintance with the archives' extracts, I saw this already coming: sparse info for a hefty price. Not that the workers in the museum can do much more - being dependable only on the available written down texts from the past (sometimes with...
Yes, I feel a bit let down...
...by the amount of information provided. It was nice to find out about the 'special adjustment'. I can't see this watch being used as you suggest - surely such precision is only really needed for navigation. I will go back to the original owner's grandso...
Thanks Trim.
You saved me some money. I still think your watch was from Canada (RCAF) and there is nothing wrong with your dial. By looking at my dials, both have 18 jewels movements and they look the same like yours. Your dial You may need a correct second hand, I gu...
What pink satin ?
Is it the final finish on the dial ? Here is my dial with that old final finish on the day I received it. And now that old dirty layer has been cleaned up, the lume was made to look older and the black dial has been retouched around the center hole. What ...
Great improvement! It is looking nice...
I am not sure if the second hand is a replacement. It seems from the various photos that there at 2 types, and as mine is a couple of years older it is possible the style was different. I (and my watchmaker) are 100% certain it is the original dial. It ca...
Hmmm...
Sadly, no more info from the family. The Grandson does not know and his Grandmother does not remember. Ah well.
Antiqued Lume ?
Hi Trim. Did you read my thread "Relume" ? omega.watchprosite.com But in this case, I did the job a bit different. In this photo, you can see the paste and the luminous powder on the left. the dremel buffing compound which I used as pigment is nex...
now i've read where my post ended up in the thread i'm referring too
the 30mm with J. Purser retailers name on it. it fits perfectly with my new home location. best G