Vintage
Mac_omega celebrates his 500th post by unveiling a truly unique Art Deco Omega timepiece. His detailed presentation highlights the watch's exceptional design, rare materials, and historical context, offering WatchProSite readers a glimpse into a seldom-seen piece from the golden age of horology.
Hi friends,
it is a tradition to show a special piece out of my humble collection when I complete another 100 posts... this time it is #500... and it is Friday...
Considering it is post number 500 I first thought to "publish" an Omega with a series 500 movement, but after a short time I decided not to do so
as there are not so many interesting Cal. 50X watches in my collection.
Sadly I do neither own a Conny Grand Luxe in platinum nor do I own a Cal. 505 Constellation in white gold with black dial and wg arrow markers yet...
So I decided to take a completely different path, far back to the golden years after the great depression had been overcome.
There was a time in which I would have loved to live, lots of beautiful things to enjoy, not only watches 
picture GNU license - courtesy Leena Hietanen 2005, cropped
Yes, you are right, we are in the fabulous Art Deco era with the breathtaking buildings, furniture of E.J. Ruhlmann ,
Tamara de Lempicka paintings, of magnificent platinum and diamond jewelry and last but not least great WATCHES!!!
What about this young beauty from the French sculptor Fayral?
What did you say?
Oh - yes, I understand! You would like to see her from the front?
Here she is...
Isn´t she a beauty? This slender body in a graceful fluent movement is a sight to behold... and also her beautiful face!
Not enough?
I think you were sidetracked by her beauty! You might have overlooked an important thing...
Have another close look!
Here is a detail...
It is a pure Art Deco piece made of 14K red gold with a deep rich color. 14K is much darker and deeper red than 18K is!
It is a fully marked and hallmarked swiss made case, enclosing a well known Cal. T 17 S with 17 jewels and 60 hours of power reserve!
It has polished crown and ratchet wheels like many chronometers do but is marked "unadjusted" and "OXG" which indicates that
the watch has been exported (most probably to the USA). The movement is protected with a dust cover which can only be removed when a screw
has been loosened.
The watch seems to be in all original condition except the winding crown which is a later replacement, but with a matching gold tone though.
And now on to the dial:
It is in near perfect condition after more than 75 years, only some faint stains of discoloration - you have to take a loupe to see them...
The "background" is two-tone silver with an amazing flip effect when the angle of the light changes
the appearance of the dial changes: the outer parts look darker and the inner parts are bright.
And the stripes at the hour markers 3, 6, 9 and 12 are executed in "black polished" silver foil.
All the black patterns (except logo and script) are done in black hard kiln fired enamel .
Here 2 more pictures to illustrate the "flip effect" on the dial
And the "dark side"
Besides this beautiful dial the unique lugs make the watch...
Hope you enjoy the pictures and the post!
Have a great weekend
Erich
... and your superb gorgeous vintage. love this stunning rectangle case with lovely lugs, just superb! stefan
...post and watch. And what a perfect dial Congratulations on your 500th post and have a nice weekend Erich Best Hans
that watch is a stunner and the T17 movement is very advanced for its era. a small movement with 60 hours of power reserve. amazing. i may be wrong Erich but from my experience and understanding US buyers preferred 10kt and 14kt gold whereas the UK liked 9ct and 18ct, the rest of the world preferring only 18ct. a 14kt case automatically makes me think of a US market watch. the gold is, as you say, a lovely dark tone due to the extra copper (i think). a really beautiful piece, please tell us how
. . . heritage, and most of all, aesthetics. What an outstanding addition to your collection, Erich. I'd love to see this one in the metal. Cordially, Art
Love everything about it, from the lugs, to what has to be one of the best Streamline Moderne dials ever (from any brand). Congrats on this one!
.. and great Art Deco Omega, Erich. I really enjoyed the post and unveiling. I have a liking for rich rose gold, and this watch is a perfect time capsule back to the period. Lovely. Andrew Ps. Congratulations on the 500 posts; I have enjoyed and learned something from nearly every one of them.
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