Omega 30T2Rg Frankenwatch in CK 2179 Case

Bill Sohne · 2010-08-03T11:38:08Z

Bill Sohne discusses his Omega 30T2Rg 'frankenwatch' in a CK 2179 case. Explore collector views on assembled vintage watches and display casebacks.

Bill Sohne

WPS member · Omega forum

24 replies5337 views6 photos

Bill Sohne explores the concept of a 'frankenwatch' with a personal example: an Omega 30T2Rg movement and a stunning dial housed in a non-original CK 2179 case. His post invites discussion on the collector community's views on such assembled pieces, particularly when they breathe new life into exceptional vintage components.

Hello Everyone....

One of the reasons so many collectors are attracted to Omega is the breath and depth of their offerings. In the real world there is always something that they missed making.

One example of something I really wanted was a 35 mm steel screwback sub second chronometre with a 30T2Rg. Omega made a few Steel Sweep second models with a 30T2SCRg in steel screwback case , and sometimes with a gold bezel . These models are very uncommon in comparison to the snap back models.

Well I came across a 30T2Rg in a case ref CK 2179 . The CK 2179 was used for the sweep seconds 30T2SCRg , some examples are lightly stamped "U.S. ARMY" it also sported a eccentric scientific dial where the baseline of the numbers are towards the center pinion. Nice heavy steel 35 mm screwback case.

Here is an example from my collection..

So now back to my statement "What Omega would I want but never left the factory that way !"

The watch I found did not leave the factory this way ( in my personal opinion ). This example as found has a amazing aged original applied roman numeral cross haired dial !! You really need to see it in person. The movement is overall very nice I see a little tarnish on the click screw and a little corrosion on the regulator cover plate but that is about it. Who ever assembled match it up to a case and it works for me !! The icing on the cake so to speak is that a previous owner had a display back fabricated for the case. I am using the sellers photos below.

and the original case back ....

I know a lot of people in the collector community looks down on " frank-en" watches. What would you do ? part the watch out for the original chronometre dial and movement ? I think this was a great way to breath new life into a stunning movement and dial. I would assume the original case was a 33 mm snap back gold case ( either 14k or 18k).

I would love to hear your thoughts on this.... and what Omega would like to find ( real or franken).

Good Hunting

Bill Sohne

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Key Points from the Discussion

The aesthetic quality of a 'frankenwatch' with a non-original movement and dial in a different case can be appealing, especially if the combination is well-executed and not immediately noticeable to non-experts.
Display casebacks, like the fabricated one on Bill Sohne's watch, are highly sought after by collectors to showcase beautiful movements like the 601 and 286 calibres.
Omega produced limited editions in the 90s that used old movements in new, but identical, cases, a concept that was ahead of its time and is now more common among brands.
The Omega 'Homage 1894' re-edition, which used a 269 caliber instead of the legendary 30T2Rg, disappointed some collectors who wished for the original movement.
Refinished dials, even if expertly done, are generally considered 'never left the factory that way' and impact a watch's originality in the vintage market.
The Omega CK 2179 case, originally used for sweep seconds 30T2SCRg movements, is a heavy 35mm steel screwback case, sometimes stamped 'U.S. ARMY' with eccentric scientific dials.

The Discussion

G99

Aug 3, 2010

the fact that the movement and dial dont belong in the case isnt noticable to anyone except the experts who know these things so i see no problem with it. i personally wouldnt have known it was a franken and i'd happily have strapped it to my wrist. i have to say the display back is superb. i'm desperately looking around to find someone who can fabricate display backs for my 601 and 286 calibres as they deserve to be seen. my own watchmaker is trying to find a way of doing it himself if he can b

hans_jorgen_1968

Aug 3, 2010

...you also taught me that this is a build/Franken, but so what. It looks nice as it is. I would keep it as is and go hunting a new watch Cheers Hans

G99

Aug 4, 2010

is that a genuine re edition like the 286 calibre piece they did in the 90's or is it really a franken watch? its a beautiful piece whichever it is. best Graham

MSNWatch

Aug 4, 2010

with the Rg movement installed in place of the factory original movement (which of course I have kept and is in mint condition so it can easily be restored to factory original specs).

hoipolloi

Aug 4, 2010

Graham. It's the 269's, not 286, were used in those homage. From what I see. , _The movement and the case are from the 40's. _The dial, the caseback and the crown are from the 90's.

G99

Aug 4, 2010

your quite right Hoi, my 2xx's getting confused for a minute. Graham

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