Vintage Omega Chrono with interesting past.

[Subexplorer]

Hello Friends!

I had always been fascinated with the story of Rolex watches officially used by some Armed Forces, like those issued to members of the Fuerza Aérea del Perú.

Beautiful examples are shown in some books, and some web sites, as for example, Daytona references 6239/6263 and 6265, as well as some 1680 Subs, 1675 GMT, and including some steel DJ were issued to the F.A.del P.. and have the inscription on the case back.
Of course, to own someday an specimen of those F.A.del P. Daytonas would be out of my budget… but anyway… I never say never.
Not to mention those lovely Military Subs, with British military inscriptions on their casebacks!

A few days ago, my personal friendly watchmaker showed me this lovely watch:







This is an Omega chronograph, reference Nr. 2451, vintage c. 1955.
It got a famous and reliable 321 movement inside, same that several years later would equip the first series of Speedmasters Professional watches.

Stainless steel case is 35mm, not really small, but a little undersized for the modern trend.
As a mater of fact, if you compare it with my modern made Speedy, will note that the Moon Watch dwarfs the old Omega.



Otherwise, the case is thick and very strong made as you can see in this picture:



I fell in love at first sight with this old timepiece, with its original dial in top condition, (its real color is a dark pearl gray, which is very difficult to capture in photos. It renders more towards black or brown, but real color is clearer than it shows in my inside photos) Real color can be appreciated in the outdoor pictures I took later:







Dial got Arabic numbers with lume (of course, not able to glow nowadays, but with a very nice patina). It has white hands, with light blue lume inside.





These features make for a very easy reading of time, as hands make a nice contrast against the dial color. Other inscriptions –minutes scale and sub dials- are in contrasting white color, very easy to read.

May be you are now asking what is the connection of this watch with my first paragraphs of this story, regarding watches belonging to Armed Forces.

Well, fact is that the case back of the old Omega Chrono, brought a little surprise to me:



If you turn the watch and look closely (yes, there is evidence of a sloppy previous watchmaker opening the case!!) you will find a logo engraved on the case back:
This is the logo of the “Fuerza Aérea Argentina” (Argentine Air Force), meaning this timepiece was the issued watch of a pilot of that Armed Force of my Country.



This was the final argument which led to my decision to buy the watch “muy rápido” (very fast) in spite of the high asking price!

The watch had a very ugly & poor quality black leather straps, so first thing I did when the watch was definitively mine, was to buy a nice set of Italian genuine crocodile leather straps of very high quality (and price to match!).

Wearing this oldie on my wrist, makes me imagine some veteran Argentine Air Force pilot, at command of his reliable DC3 or DC4. As we usually say: “If this watch could talk!!”
I wish you´ll like this timepiece, and thank you all for your kind attention.
Best cordial regards, Abel.

[Alcan]

Abel, what a wonderful find, especially with the case back inscription of the Argentine Air Force!

A superb addition to your collection my friend, well done!!

By the way, I didn't need the translation of “muy rápido”, I figured that part out as soon as I saw the watch.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by Alcan

Abel, what a wonderful find, especially with the case back inscription of the Argentine Air Force!

A superb addition to your collection my friend, well done!!

By the way, I didn't need the translation of “muy rápido”, I figured that part out as soon as I saw the watch.

Hello Al!! Thank you!
I´m so glad you like it!!
Yes, I guess I didn´t need to translate "muy rápido" as this is the way to act when a collector finds something like this, in any language!

I apprciate your comments, and send my most cordial regards, Abel,

[kyle L]

Dios mío, what a great watch. Great find, I love the dial and the military reference! The dial is nice, and the case looks pretty good; not too overpolished. Maybe the crown has been replaced, but that isn't really a big deal. My Constellation should come tomorrow as well. What about one of these?

[wehttaM]

Very nice piece Abel! Very nice patine! Enjoy it!

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by kyle L

Dios mío, what a great watch. Great find, I love the dial and the military reference! The dial is nice, and the case looks pretty good; not too overpolished. Maybe the crown has been replaced, but that isn't really a big deal. My Constellation should come tomorrow as well. What about one of these?

Hi Kyle!!
Glad you like my new finding! Thank you for your comments.
I also suspected that the crown was not original, as it is plain, and without the Omega logo.
Anyway, I saw pictures of two similar watches, and they have the same big plain crown with no logo, so may be it is original after all.
Well, I´m not Omega expert (nor Rolex I regret!) and can´t say for sure.

Now, regarding the pictures you show, I say Dios mío!!
I love these watches, called "Cosmic" model.
I´m looking for one of them, but very, very rare here.
Never saw one here, but I´m sure some should be someplace in my Country.
Hope I´ll find one someday, and in good shape!

Look forward to see your new Connie Kyle! Take care and thank you for your comments!
Best cordial regards, Abel.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by wehttaM

Very nice piece Abel! Very nice patine! Enjoy it!

Thank you Matt!! I´m glad you like it!!
Very cordially, Abel.

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by Subexplorer

Hi Kyle!!
Glad you like my new finding! Thank you for your comments.
I also suspected that the crown was not original, as it is plain, and without the Omega logo.
Anyway, I saw pictures of two similar watches, and they have the same big plain crown with no logo, so may be it is original after all.
Well, I´m not Omega expert (nor Rolex I regret!) and can´t say for sure.

Now, regarding the pictures you show, I say Dios mío!!
I love these watches, called "Cosmic" model.
I´m looking for one of them, but very, very rare here.
Never saw one here, but I´m sure some should be someplace in my Country.
Hope I´ll find one someday, and in good shape!

Look forward to see your new Connie Kyle! Take care and thank you for your comments!
Best cordial regards, Abel.

The Cosmics usually go in the $1k-1.5k range where I am, I saw one locally for $1.1 but it was redialed. It was a good redial, but I would want to find one with an original. I want to find one in the future, I'll probably pick it up off of ebay. I'm sure you will get a Cosmic in the near future, I can't wait to see it.

[Subexplorer]

Very interesting info Kyle! Thank you!
I had a wrong idea that a Cosmic would be a very expensive watch, as it has several complications, and was made in low quantities. Also because it is very rare, at least here.
If they are not so rare in the USA, you should target one in very good condition, no redials.
It is a wonderful watch, with very classic design, and offering full calendar and moon fases, makes it very attractive.
Hope you get a nice specimen, and I hope to find a good one some day in the near future. (I regret to say that prices here would be about two or three times what you tell me, as our market gets very expensive compared with USA)
Best cordial regards, Abel.

[adam78]

I think the Cosmics, with good original dials, can be somewhat more for a stainless steel case. They are not that common, but I think more in the 1.5-2K range. Gold can be twice as much, or more!

[kyle L]

Originally Posted by adam78

I think the Cosmics, with good original dials, can be somewhat more for a stainless steel case. They are not that common, but I think more in the 1.5-2K range. Gold can be twice as much, or more!

Most of the Cosmics that I see are gold capped, but a steel one would be nice too.

[Subexplorer]

Originally Posted by adam78

I think the Cosmics, with good original dials, can be somewhat more for a stainless steel case. They are not that common, but I think more in the 1.5-2K range. Gold can be twice as much, or more!

Thank you for your comment Adam! nice to read you here.
Hope I´ll came across a nice Cosmic someday here!

Very cordially, Abel.

[adam78]

Abel, also, that's a very fine cal. 321. The style of the dial bears a certain resemblance to the Benrus Sky Chief!

Here is mine:



And my cal. 321 (non-military):

[Watchdog]

That is a stunning watch!

[sea-dweller]

Very nice!

[Subexplorer]

Hello Adam!
Thank you for your comments and pictures.
Yes, the Benrus dial is astonishing similar to my watch!!
And your 321 chrono is so nice too! Love it.
Thank you for sharing these great pieces, my friend!
Best kind regards, Abel.

[Subexplorer]

Kingkongkelly, and Dennis:
Thank you for your comments. I´m glad you like it!
Very cordially, Abel.

[T5AUS]

Yet again Abel, your watchmaker finds you an amazing classic, a great looking chrono, a very good find
Stay lucky

[Subexplorer]

Thank you Phil!
Yes I was very fortunate to find this.

As a matter of fact, my watchmaker had this watch in his safe for several years, but never had showed it to me before. He had bought it as an "investment" from a customer, as he doesn´t sell watches, just repairs them.

Then, one day during a visit to change batteries to my wife watch, while we were talking about watches, he went to his safe and produced this piece, and talking changed to dealing!

Thank you for your comment! I´m glad you like it.
Very cordially, Abel.