Omega Marine Dive Watch c1935

Omega 

Since the company was founded in 1848, Omega has pioneered a huge range of technical innovations in watchmaking. Britain’s Royal Flying Corps chose Omega watches in 1917 as official timekeepers for its pilots and again in 1940, RAF Pilots watches were supplied by Omega. The 1940s also saw the first tourbillon wristwatch and the first of the famous Seamaster watches, whilst the 1950s and ’60s introduced the legendary Constellation, Speedmaster, Seamaster 300 and Railmaster. Over these years, everyone from John F. Kennedy to Elvis wore Omega watches on official duties. What’s more, in 1962, astronaut Wally Schirra took his Omega Speedmaster into space on NASA’s Mercury Sigma 7 mission, and in 1969 two Omega Speedmasters were the first watches to arrive on the moon, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Description

The world’s first commercially available divers’ watch was introduced by Omega in 1932. Named the Marine, it utilised an ingenious, patented double case sealed with cork to keep water and the elements away from the heart of the watch. Taking the innovation further, Omega also introduced an adjustable clasp with a divers’ extension so that wearers could fit the watch comfortably to their own wrist. The Omega Marine became an instant success and helped to make a very dangerous profession a lot safer. For many diving pioneers, it was the watch of choice. Going deeper than any watch before, it was successfully tested in Lake Geneva – not far from Omega’s headquarters – at a depth of 73 metres. Even more stringent laboratory tests were carried out five years later and found the watch to be completely waterproof to a depth of 135 metres.

This rare Omega Marine sportsmens watch showcased here exemplifies one of these pioneering early waterproof watches. This Udall & Ballou dial is completely original, unrestored and untouched and carries the original hour indices and hands.

The Dial

Established in 1888, Udall and Ballou grew to become one of the best known and most prosperous jewellers in New York during the second quarter of the 20th Century.  Best remembered for their wonderful Art Deco designs, the company started as jewellers and silversmiths selling a range of items from diamond rings and gentlemen’s dress sets to silver candlesticks and tea services. The firm were known not only for the beautiful quality and craftsmanship of their jewellery but also for being up to date with current trends and styles and ensuring that their jewels would compliment and enhance all the latest fashions.

This dial is completely original, unrestored and untouched and remains in outstanding condition. The dial carries the original, mixed ‘baton’ hour indices along with ‘2 – 4 – 6 – 8 – 10 – 12’ standard Arabic numerals, all of which are swept by the original ‘leaf’ hands.

The dial is correctly signed with ‘Udall & Ballou’ at the top of the dial below 12 along with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6.

Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however, we decided in this case, due to its unique condition, to retain its originality and charm for the many collectors who prefer this. This watch has a clean original dial with a very even patina. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you see here may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The Omega Caliber 194 was introduced in the mid-1940s, a period when Omega was focused on enhancing the accuracy and robustness of their movements, particularly in response to the demands of post-war watchmaking.

The movement within this watch is the Omega Marine calibre 194, 15 Jewel hand-wound movement which is in sparkling condition and has been fully overhauled and serviced by our vintage specialist watchmaker.

This means the movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using only the correct original parts where required before careful calibration and testing. Upon returning to stock, the watch is now running to within +12 seconds per day which is truly outstanding for any vintage watch of this age! This watch movement carries a power reserve of 48 hours.

With care and with regular servicing, say every 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run quite happily for many decades to come. We are therefore more than happy to offer this watch with our 12 months’ warranty* and to assist with servicing again in the future.

The movement is correctly signed with ‘Omega Watch Co’ along with ‘Fifteen 15 Jewels’ and the calibre number 194 and the movement serial number 574129.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The distinctive feature of this wonderful Omega Marine is its pull-out case. It is characterized by the fact that it includes an interior case enclosing the movement as well as an exterior case which is hermetically closed except at one of its extremities through which the first case is inserted which can slide into the second, this case carries a springy ring shaped fitting which engage one with the other at the normal relative position of the two cases in order to close the second case in an impervious fashion in conjunction with an impervious wall of the first case.

The Omega Marine case we have here is in wonderful condition. The hinge opens and closes perfectly allowing the second piece including the dial to be taken out.

The watch has been very well cared for and, after a close inspection, has required a careful clean and a gentle polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition. The case, the case-back and the bezel are all in superb condition with no marks or scratches visible to the naked eye. Even under high magnification, it is very hard to find any signs of wear, indicating this watch has seen very little use and has had a charmed life. The case is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.

The inside of the case back is correctly signed with ‘Swiss’, ‘Staybrite’ along with the case serial number 684259.

**Please note, although the waterproof seals have been replaced and the watch was originally specified as waterproof when new, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed.

As ever our standard advice applies: vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a high quality black leather strap and plain signed stainless steel buckle, which we feel suits the watch perfectly. If, however, a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain, padded leather, alligator, crocodile or lizard skin.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to c1935.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with a high quality hardwood presentation box.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

In Conclusion

This is a first-class example of a highly collectable and highly practical vintage stainless steel watch from one of horology’s most famous names which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy! This will make an excellent evening wear dress watch as well as a practical highly accurate and reliable timepiece to use on an everyday basis.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We, therefore, consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage steel watches.

Thank you