Omega

I have owned several speedmasters in the past but very far removed from being an expert in them and hoping someone could assist me with some basic questions. The dial is a very even colored chocolate brown. Because of the consistency of the color It appears to me it came this way from the factory. My question is did Omega ship some of the speedmasters out with this color dial or did they change color through the years (as described by AQ in their Omegamania auction)?

The watch came with an Omega bracelet as show in the pictures and the end pieces are stamped with "510", is this the correct bracelet for this era watch? The papers state it was sold in 1970 by "Bailey Banks and Biddle" but was made in 1969.

I bought it with original papers(International Guarantee"), several small brochures on how to operate the chronograph and care and care for it plus what I assume to be the original inner (silver color) and outer box. If the bracelet is not correct I would like to find the correct one to put on it so any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thank You

John

 

My impression, having examined various brown dialed ones is that they are born brown.

If it was some sort of patina, there should be some color irregularities, is special under the sub dial chronograph hands.

Some guys, with an opposite view, claim that this is a discoloration of the 60's dial paint.

Lets wait for other opinions.

In any case, it's a cool Speedy. congratulations.

Cheers,

Nilo

If it weren't a paint defect how come many are still black? My 60' 2998-2 has a pure chocolate dial. Similar to Rolex watches I own with choclate dials the dials were born with black dials. It is a combination of a pant defect and effect of sun on the paint thus called "tropical dials". Many tropical or color change dials were replaced during services over the years making them both rare and often highly sought after by collectors like myself and many others here. The same goes for cream 16550's where white paint turned perfect ivory/cream color. Again these color change dials are rare and sought after. Do a search and you shall see. Just my humble opinion based on my experience so take it for what it's worth. Cheers John and great looking watch! 

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. . . until recently, so I'm forced to conclude yours is an aged - and perfectly, at that - specimen.  I know it's hard to come to grips with considering the excellent condition of the print and markers, but there you have it. 

Congratulations on a stellar acquisition!

Art

I believe both are strong possibilities. Nilomis has a very good point when he brought up the consistency of the color. I can see a scenario where some dials came into Omega with the incorrect color and they got used, for whatever reason.

It's hard for me to visualize how this could happen it this was attributed to exposure of the sun. But with that said "steelerfan" point with the rolex 16550's is a very strong argument that it evolved over time and with assistance from the sun.

I think this makes it all the more interesting, searching for answers and getting a greater knowledge base.

Does anyone have any ideas as to the originality of the bracelet? It appears to be genuine Omega with 2 links on each side of the buckle are expansion links making a very nice comfortable fit. It is marked "No 13" inscribed in a circle and also marked "4 over 69". Can I assume that this stands for April 1969 which would be the date of manufacture?

Thank you for sharing your knowledge its greatly appreciated

john 

 

This dial was blue when it left Rolex in 1970 and turned brown when exposed to light thus being a tropical due to paint defect. I imagine it is hard to visualize it being blue. The second was a black dial DRSD also when it left Rolex in 60's and today it is brown or tropical. Lastly, here is my 1960 2998-2 and Omega never made one with a brown dial. These dials never made in brown and result of defective paint and sun thus the whole term "tropical". Again this is my opinion and never heard of a different one than this in my 25 years of collecting. Again yours is a great example!! Cheers, 

Three beautiful examples, you have me convinced...thanks

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