Comments:
Very rare 18K gold Seamaster 300 chronograph
I would appreciate any information about this massive and very rare Omega Seamaster. I could not find any other similar example; the gold dial with blue waves makes it quite special. Probably the heaviest watch ever produced by Omega. The serial number starts with 500xxxxx, would this indicate a date in the late 1990s?
This message has been edited by Dr No on 2015-06-30 21:04:15
This message has been edited by Dr No on 2015-06-30 21:04:15
The year is 1993 or 1994
After some research the serial number for that type of watch corresponds to the year 1993 or 1994. First ever solid gold Bond type Seamaster Chrono 300 ?
Can you ....
Have the case open and take a picture of the case back inside?
If possible, a picture of the movement and the movement serial will be helpful.
This will allow a query to the Omega database.
Thanks,
Nilo
Back photo
Here is a photo of the back. I have just received the "Extract of the Archives" for "this" watch and it is wrong !
This message has been edited by fleurdecoin on 2015-06-14 05:50:49 This message has been edited by fleurdecoin on 2015-06-14 05:52:54
It gives under "metal" : Titanium / Gold; my watch does not have a milligram of titanium and is entirely made of gold. As a result the watch ref. is given as PIC 2296.80.00 - TL 378.0514, which is WRONG !
What should I do to get an Extract with the right details about my watch ? Is it sooo rare and perhaps unique that even Omega messes it up ??!!!!!
This message has been edited by fleurdecoin on 2015-06-14 05:50:49 This message has been edited by fleurdecoin on 2015-06-14 05:52:54
Your thread has remained pinned to the top of the forum for over a week . . .
. . . in the hope that it would elicit replies from community experts. Unfortunately, they never materialized. I will now weigh in with my assessment; it should be noted that the opinion expressed is solely my own, and also that it is not accepted by our esteemed moderator.
I believe your Seamaster was produced by Omega. Having said that, I also believe that it was most likely commissioned by a private party, and moreover, a party to a conflict. You've established the issue date as 1993 or 1994. Those were, not coincidentally, years in which the most likely commissioners were subject to civil disturbances. I'm referring to the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. It's long been my understanding that watches from some of the more prestigious manufacturers were discovered in his palaces after the occupation of Baghdad in 2003, many of which bore inscriptions dedicated to him, or even his visage on the dial. My guess is that your specimen was produced on special order and then never delivered for either political or financial reasons, possibly both, thereafter slipping into inventory and sold to another party altogether. Alternately, it might have been delivered to an Iraqi client, which would essentially render it as contraband. In either case, Omega corporate would be disinclined to validate your specimen for entirely understandable reasons. The reference number indicated in the photo and attested to by Omega would indicate a production model without a bracelet, which reinforces my impression that it was never delivered to the original client who might have balked at the cost of a specially made bracelet in matching 18 kt gold*.
It's entirely possible that the dial was refinished at Omega to remove inscriptions, and that the inner caseback was similarly retouched. These are issues that trouble our moderator; in my opinion, if there are alterations, they are not inconsistent with the scenario I find most probable.
Cordially,
Art
A movement picture ...
Could help to untangle this mystery.
Make sure to include a shot of the movement serial number.
Thanks,
Nilo
Make sure to include a shot of the movement serial number.
Thanks,
Nilo
Here is a picture of the movement and one that shows the serial number
Dear Art, thank you very much for trying your best to find answers to this Omega riddle. I am posting a picture of the movement of the watch and a blow-up which shows its serial number as requested by the moderator. Please allow me to clarify a number of points :
This message has been edited by fleurdecoin on 2015-06-28 08:37:03
1. This watch is 100% original Omega and does not appear to have been altered in any way. The dial has not been touched or modified. As a seasoned collector for almost 30 years who has handled hundreds of watches and seen thousands, please rely on my judgement.
2. The watch was originally mounted on a bracelet (almost certainly gold to match the head) as there are traces of this on the lugs.
3. The caseback does not show any traces whatsoever of alteration.
I hope Omega will help me to solve this problem. I have been given the email address their archivist and expect to receive a reply in the next few days. I will of course keep you posted !
In the meantime I would love to hear the take of the moderator...
This message has been edited by fleurdecoin on 2015-06-28 08:37:03
My opinion, as Nilo will attest, was that your specimen . . .
. . . is genuine. An originally fitted gold bracelet would be costly, but certainly not impossible. Its origins are still mysterious; I hope more information comes your way, and that you'll share it with us once confirmed.
Cordially,
Art
Picture of the movement and one that shows the serial number
Dear Art, thank you very much for trying your best to find answers to this Omega riddle. I am posting a picture of the movement of the watch and a blow-up which shows its serial number as requested by the moderator. Please allow me to clarify a number of points :
1. This watch is 100% original Omega and does not appear to have been altered in any way. The dial has not been touched or modified. As a seasoned collector for almost 30 years who has handled hundreds of watches and seen thousands, please rely on my judgement.
2. The watch was originally mounted on a bracelet (almost certainly gold to match the head) as there are traces of this on the lugs.
3. The caseback does not show any traces whatsoever of alteration.
I hope Omega will help me to solve this problem. I have been given the email address their archivist and expect to receive a reply in the next few days. I will of course keep you posted !
In the meantime I would love to hear the take of the moderator...
Finally, an answer - a positive one ...
Fleurdecoin,
Today I went to my watchmaker and his team not only vouched that your Gold Seamaster is real but one of the team stated that he did a full maintenance in one of this gold model (with the gold bracelet!!!).
They check all pictures, including the movement ones and your watch passed.
About my main points of concern:
Dial - it's a common issue with early Seamaster 300 (ink fades).
Two hallmarks on the lugs - one is the gold hallmark and the other is the case maker hallmark.
From my point of view, case closed.
Cheers,
Nilo