Omega

PS  Below are a few images of the watch.

You're on the trail of an early production piece; here's hoping it ends up in your collection!

Cordially,

Art

In the few weeks since I first saw the watch and started my research I've probably come across 50+ early-1950s Connie serial numbers, whether via enthusiasts such as yourself sharing with me or images of watches I found online. So far this watch is still wearing the crown of lowest Connie serial number I have seen. 

Interestingly, it also has the lowest case number I've come across. In other words, it's definitely a very early Connie. 

Unfortunately I have learnt that it's impossible to tell exactly how early, and this because of the manner in which watches were produced at Omega at the time. Specifically, the first Connies used the 352 movement that was already in use on the Seamaster, and a case that was identical in shape to that used on the Centenary. During manufacturing parts were not drawn consecutively from existing inventory so one can see caliber 352s with serial numbers within circa a range of ten in a Connie and a Seamaster, with the Seamaster having been assembled much earlier. 

The closest I have got -- so far -- to identifying exactly when this watch was made is that it is from the first production batch of 2,500 Connies, created from January to December 1952. During this period the first Connies were shipped around the time of the 1952 Swiss Watch Show, which probably took place in early March. My hope is that this watch turns out to be one of these... But to know this for sure I guess I'll have to splurge for an extract from the archives.

Another interesting point about this watch is the dial. My research has not come across another Connie with this exact same dial, ie with this combination of the thin faceted dart-shaped hour markers with the applied numbers at 3, 6, 9 and 12. So the dial too can be described as rare.

I'm waiting to receive more feedback from Connie collectors and experts, both on this forum and on other Omega forums on which I posted the same question. Once I feel that I've exhausted this source of information I'll go ahead and order an extract from the archives, which will give me the date of full assemblage of the case and the movement and when and where it was sent to.

The search continues...

ghoti

PS  Credit -- and thanks -- is due to Desmond from Omega Constellation Collectors Blogspot, probably the #1 Connie expert and aficionado. Desmond has been extremely kind in sharing with me his unmatched knowledge of Connies. Most of the information I wrote above was sourced from Desmond, and in some cases I have allowed myself to quote directly from emails he has sent me. (Thanks again, Desmond!)

 

Please, cut to the chase and order the extract - utterly fascinating, this.  (Assuming it's yours, of course!)

Art

Once again I must defer to Desmond's extensive knowledge when responding. 

According to what Desmond wrote to me, the 'scientific' chapter ring was in fact a feature in some early Connies from the 1952 production slate. In fact the first Connie dial -- according to Omega Museum records -- was the scientific dial with the Omega logo on a cartouche. (BTW, he concurred that the dial on this watch is rare.)

As for the crown, Desmond's opinion (which I have heard from one other expert too) is that this one is a replacement. The most common crown on the early Connies was the decagonal (ie 10-sided) crown, but a few had a flatter round crown or a clover leaf shaped crown. Desmond believes this crown is a replacement because it was pretty much standard that if taken to an official service agent the crown would be replaced at service. 

However, having said this, the owner of the watch -- who has owned it from new -- claims he has never taken it to be serviced at an official Omega service center and that the crown had never been replaced. But seeing as he is an old man who has owned the watch for over 60 years, I will forgive him if his memory is not serving him well in this specific case.