Why this old Omega is so special and interesting
One of the reasons why I was so interested to acquire this
watch is because it is a double-signed watch, meaning you can find Omega on the movement and also
you can find another sign Dennison on its case. For general watch enthusiasts,
this might look like a franken watch, but it is not. If you dig deeper, you
will find some interesting facts about this old watches that is different from
what you might expect from todays. A different point of view from some other
collectors that are only looking for a watch with fully signed by the watch
manufacturer. For me, this watch tell more than a watch brand, it tells some
history. That some time ago, Omega watches were produced with some other great
watch case manufacturers.
It is quite common today with Japanese watches like Seiko,
Citizen and Casio, that they export only the movements, and the complete
watches were assembled and produced somewhere else.( And sometimes they just
export the brand label)
The movement
Upon receiving this watch, I spent a whole night seeking
information to identify this super rare Omega.
The movement number was not marked on the movement like what normally
found on Omega movements. Its serial no. is 8795430, which dated to year 1936. I found a similar description and photo from Dr.
Roland Ranfft database. It is Omega Calibre no 220, 15-jewels, quite an old
movement that was produced somewhere in the 1920’s or 1930’s.
*Note: I have to use seller photo as I dont dare to open the case, afraid to spoil the gold.
The Case
The case for this watch was made and signed by Dennison, Made
In England. No 11322. Stamped 9 57S ALD
serial no 90853.
Little bit about Dennison Watch Case Co. – an English
company based in Birmingham, founded by Aaron Lufkin Dennison (ALD) in 1874,
and closed down in 1967. The most successful and renowned English watch case
maker that produced watch cases for various famous high grade watchmakers eg.
Omega, Zenith, Longines, Rolex, Smiths, Cortebert, Medana, Roamer, Rotary &
Waltham to name a few.
Back to this Omega case, all Dennison watchcase came with
its code that reflect the material used;
Case Grade
|
Case Material
|
ALD (no periods between the letters)
|
9ct. and 18 ct. gold, or silver
|
Sun trademark (may also marked A.L.D)
|
Gold-filled, guaranteed for 25 years of wear
|
Moon Trademark (may also marked A.L.D)
|
Gold-filled, guaranteed for 20 years of wear
|
Star Trademark (may also marked A.L.D)
|
Gold-filled, guaranteed for 10 years of wear
|
·
Source:
National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors
A rather more elaborated writings on Dennison casing can be
found here
The case size is about 28.5mm in diameter without the crown,
about 33mm from lug to lug. Lug size is 16mm. The lug, this is also
interesting, this is the first watch I have that uses male type lug, meaning it
needs a female pin to attach the band. Quite unusual.
The back case, nothing noticeable there. This is a snap in
type.
The crown, not signed, but it look as it is original crown
upon close inspection. The material appear to be the same as the case.
The face
The dial is an enamel dial, Omega signed, in almost perfect condition for a
watch of this age. The hands also so beautiful to me in everyway. All the hands are made of blue metal (the metal is burnt until it turn blue) and
they are still in very good condition. These two conditions suggests to me that
the case is of a high grade, water-tight fine case or maybe this watch has been
living in a box or in a drawer for nearly a century! And I will continue that
legacy keep it safe in my watch box as a personal collection.
The band and buckle
The band is not Omega original band. What do you expect from
a watch this old. But the buckle seems to be original Omega gold-filled buckle,
eventhough I am not quite sure is it originally for this watch. What the heck, it is a vintage Omega buckle
that probably come from that era.
Well, thats so much about a watch but I like this kind of subject. At least it keeps me running in the conquest of knowledge.
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