Comments:
1956 Omega XVI - an interesting history for a beautiful timepiece.
The Olympics always brings out memories for me, but nothing short of always thinking about that one that always gets away, the first Olympic Model Omega, the 1956 Omega XVI (not counting the 1932 LA Omegas which weren't marketed to the public). This piece came in 18k Gold and 18k Rose/Pink Gold there are two dial configurations (type 1 with the Olympic Merit Medal with red Olympic rings or multicolor rings o the dial) or this piece with the type 2 dial with the "XVI" listed on the dial and no Olympic Merit Medal there were a couple variations on this type of dial. Both variations have the dial in enamel but due to a bad curing process they tend to deteriorate and crack easily, especially in tropical climates.
The 2nd type variations had the "Seamaster" on the dial, the script threw me off a lot as it ruined the look for me (think about a chronograph with date as an example for some members of that hate).
I've been searching for one for a while (since childhood) and was just glad to have added it, as throughout the years there was always something with each that made me pass.
My usual dealer came around and offered this piece a couple years ago, it was just a little more special in 18k pink gold as this variant is much rarer than regular 18k Yellow Gold. Plus its original Omega box (dare I say I was in love?).
I'm assuming the dial isn't original (no Seamaster script which is perfect 
and my watchmaker cleared it as an Omega dial and that is fine with me it was meant for wearing and for the price I couldn't resist, it ticked all the boxes). The hands are most likely replacements (and the second hand) but it gives it a little bit more extra flair for me and I love it.
and my watchmaker cleared it as an Omega dial and that is fine with me it was meant for wearing and for the price I couldn't resist, it ticked all the boxes). The hands are most likely replacements (and the second hand) but it gives it a little bit more extra flair for me and I love it. I ordered the Extract of the Archives right after receiving it and was stunned at the result, a nice piece of history to this piece. Please excuse me for the delay in posting more information about it, but I felt like today was finally the right time.
Delivered in 1957 to Lebanon ! It makes me wonder, with almost a year to the day to the Lebanon Crisis in 1958 was this sold to a prominent Lebanese citizen (the dial broken in the crisis or through constant wear and heat throughout the years) or could it have been bought at the airport and brought to its new home somewhere far away? Who knows the story is lost in time, and I can only speculate. I've tried since I've owned the piece to see if I can find any history from the Lebanese AD at that time but I couldn't source anything, everything seemed to fall through or else this update would have been a little larger.
The best thing, The case is also made in Switzerland, back in the day
Mandatory Wrist Shot
Thank you all for looking and for any comments, I hope you enjoy it.
Thank you my friend I toiled back and forth as when to present it but was glad this is the right time :D [nt]
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This is sensational
The story, the watch, the accessories and the extract.. wow! These are the kind of vintage watch stories that I wish would be told more often: context, history, photos, origins - great stuff.
Let's be glad that charming watches such as this stay below the radar and within the realm of loving collectors. And let the auction houses bid another round of vintage Rolex chronographs up to the stars for those who are inclined.
Best,
Tim
My pleasure Tim and thank you for the wonderful comments
I hope so too, I think discovering their histories is one of those last steps in collecting. I wish it could be a little easier. Omega has made it interesting with the Extract of the Archives and although we do incur a cost for it, sometimes you can get very interesting results as is the case.
Very enjoyable! :)
Congratulation! A very nice piece of history have here!
And great timing in bringing it out now!
Thank you for this post.
Best
Blomman
What a story! Thank you for sharing it with us and big congratulations for this little gem
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
My pleasure Alkiro, hopefully more can be added to the story one day. If only our time pieces could talk my friend :) [nt]
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Oh yes, so true! From my side, I particularly think about my Hamilton Otis Reverso from 1938. 80 years old!!! So many things to tell me if she could talk
Best wishes
Alkiro
Alkiro
This is very cool and congrats to the watch, including the very, very rare box. I show you an additional dial configuration which still holds a bit of a mystery today.
You remember that I had posted this a while ago about it: www.watchprosite.com
Interestingly enough it was a few months back that a good fellow watch collector from the north of England alerted me that he had found a "Melbourne" with exactly the same dial and hand configuration as mine. This is the stuff that makes this hobby so fascinating. "Let the games begin"
Cheers, HSTE
I tried to find more info. on this piece but unfortunatley its on the hard drive thats gone down, including yours I've seen around 5-6 of these online and documented each one.
Some were full sets (minus papers of course since the paperwork is even more fragile than the dials) and one or two dials individually off the big auction site.
It made me think a lot about your dial when I saw it back then and there is really only a couple conclusions we can reach,
1. It is a variant of the type 1 dial
2. It is a custom dial maker and the prototypes made it into watches (this one has been floating around the net for a while but I don't really see it as valid)
but I'll propose another
3. Only a handful were handed out to dignitaries at the games, of course no evidence for this at all just speculation but Omega has handed out watches before and after to dignitaries, athletes, organizers etc.
Lets hope that we get more information as the years come HSTE and unlock some more history for your piece it is a spectacular example and if I ever went for the type 1 I'd try to track that similar piece down
It made me think a lot about your dial when I saw it back then and there is really only a couple conclusions we can reach,
1. It is a variant of the type 1 dial
2. It is a custom dial maker and the prototypes made it into watches (this one has been floating around the net for a while but I don't really see it as valid)
but I'll propose another
3. Only a handful were handed out to dignitaries at the games, of course no evidence for this at all just speculation but Omega has handed out watches before and after to dignitaries, athletes, organizers etc.
Lets hope that we get more information as the years come HSTE
and unlock some more history for your piece it is a spectacular example and if I ever went for the type 1 I'd try to track that similar piece down Thanks Rogi for taking the time to add some complementary info on this one!
Cheers, HSTE
My pleasure :) hopefully I’ll have more time to share some of my other Omegas :) [nt]
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Thank you my friend :) was hard to choose the right time but am lucky it was perfect now :)[nt]
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Pink gold XVIs are top shelf . . .
. . . in my book.
[watch credit: John I / photo credit: David P / wrist credit: Dr No]
This one doesn't have the unique hexagonal crown, unlike yours, but the handset is correct. What intrigues me most about yours is the strap and buckle - they appear to be original.
Gotta love vintage Ω!
Art
[watch credit: John I / photo credit: David P / wrist credit: Dr No]
This one doesn't have the unique hexagonal crown, unlike yours, but the handset is correct. What intrigues me most about yours is the strap and buckle - they appear to be original.
Gotta love vintage Ω!
Art
Love your XVI Dr. No :) but we need more pics of it to enjoy :)
Would love your input on the strap, I always thought it was a later era 70s plus strap, but here are the pics, sorry for the poor quality on my ipad camera right now. If it is a 50s strap i’ll have to figure out a way of removing it and storing it somewhere.
Not my XVI, unfortunately. That photo was taken a dozen years ago . . .
. . . and I've lost track of the owner. (If you're reading this, John, please chime in.)
As for the strap: it looks very much like period Omega issue, so it wouldn't surprise me if it were original. Buckle looks ok, too.
Art
As for the strap: it looks very much like period Omega issue, so it wouldn't surprise me if it were original. Buckle looks ok, too.
Art
Thank you Dr. No now I have to take this watch off and figure out how to change the strap, the strap fits flush so it would be hard to place a tool under there.
Any advice on strap care? Some cream or paste that can extend its lifetime?