AndrewD
[HoMe Moderator]
12829
Answered my own question: Corfam
Corfam was a synthetic leather substitute developed by DuPont (the company that gave us that other popular synthetic: nylon) and released commercially in 1964 after the 1963 “Chicago Shoe Show”. It consists of a polyurethane plastic coating bonded onto a fibrous polyester layer.
Its main marketing claim was good wear characteristics, high gloss finish and cleanability. The product was not successful, however, as leather remained cheap and Corfam shoes (the main product) did not breathe, give or stretch like leather. DuPont stopped production in 1971 and sold the rights. Interestingly a modified Corfam material has been remarketed by George Newman & Co. of Boston. Corfam shoes remain popular with the armed forces as a shiny dress shoe.
But did Omega continue to use Corfam into the later 1970's?
A
[Paraphrased from the WWW]
The Deville made me do it …
Hi All, Some of you may have seen my “Funky Friday” introduction of the De Ville Dynamic on last weeks WristScan thread. While I am yet to open the case and determine the age and movement details, I couldn’t wait to share this with you. Art and I came acr...
Congrats again, Andrew!
I really like these kinds of funky case shapes. And the dial is really awesome! Great catch, thanks for sharing! Best Blomman
Good one, Andrew...
...one of the more sober Dynamics. I have ummmed and ahhhed about them due to the 'one strap only' design. But that dial and strap work perfectly.
Sober?
Thanks Ben. I guess it is sober in some ways although the gold case is a little 'flashy'. The blue dial and strap is quite subtle and harmonious though, at least from a distance. Andrew
Sober..let me rephrase...
....compared to some of the 70's style dials and strap colour combinations on many Dynamics...
I think this is a fantastic watch
Omega made some pretty cool watches in the 70s & 80s that are off many collectors' radar. This was was really nice one. Love the big DeVille on the caseback. That "Tool" designation shows up on a few from that era. I have it on one of my Seamaster Cosmic ...
Tool 107 ...
Tool 107 was designed to remove the front hesalite lens. Here's an image from the WWW (Ron Jr) with Tool 107 on the left and the strap ring wrench on the right. Wish I had one right now, because I am dying to see the movement!...
Great info
Especially to see the actual tool. The way they did it on mine seems much more understated than how they did it on yours. Seems like that should have been a inter-company repair directive, not something you think needed to have been stamped on the case.
Warning
I agree, you would think it would be something that watchmakers should know about, so why draw such attention to it? I have read that it is easy to break the hesalite if you try to remove it with the wrong tool; so perhaps it is a sensible warning. Whatev...
LOL, liability concerns will have watches...
...plastered with warning labels like they do on step ladders.
And they are possible to find...
...but not the strap tool. I have purchased my set of tool 101,102,103 and 107 and they are great (thankyou Erich) But have still to find a strap tool. Cheers Hans
Andrew, my mate got...
Andrew, my mate got a strap tool when he bought his. he still has it along with box, papers, and receipt. best Graham
Interesting..
...my father did not.. but again his was with a bracelet..that could be the reason.. So what I understand is, that if you purchased a strap version they came with the watch..? But I have a question..where can one purchase a strap tool...? I have searched ...
i dont think you can...
i dont think you can Hans. owners who still have them keep them and the rest got disposed of with the boxes. your dad didnt need a caseback tool as the steel bracelet is indestructable. do you think Omega were aware of the cheapness of the Corfam or they ...
I am by no means delicate....!
And I have tried with the wrench...no success at all. Will probably have to go to the AD..again I am thinking about changing one of my Dynamic strap versions to bracelet and get it solved once and for all...! ;-) I Think Omega knew they got worn, but also...
Case back tool
Hi Hans, A generic case opening tool worked OK for me. The trick was to gently find the right thread position to screw it back on. A...
my tool is ...
... different though similar. Not sure if it was me or the 40 year of tigjtness that was the problem Cheers Hans
Way out....
...outrageous overpriced indeed. That guy has tried a few times over the last year to sell that set.... but I just want to buy one of those small and tiny plastic pieces...! Cheers Hans
Where can I find took 107?
Hi, I've been looking for a tool 107 for a while now, where did you get yours from? Thanks,
Cool catch, Andrew.
Funky, but beautiful. I learn and discover this kind of case, between the ovale and the round, very 70ies, strangely looking at first sight, then, the charm works and the watch grows on you. And if you add this kind of dial, the deal is done! Best, and co...
Love those Dynamic
Congratulations on this nice catch Andrew Beautiful color combo on the blue dial and strap to the Orange second hand and the gold case... wauw I have come across many dynamics and have seen a similar at a dutch collectors homepage, but never in the flesh....
I thought you would like it ...
Hi Hans, As you are a dynamic sort of guy, I thought you would like this one. Thanks for your comments. As the Dynamic feels like the perfect frivolous weekend watch to me, I am planning to start an Omega Dynamic mega-thread on Saturday to bring as many D...
..and you are right...
...I love them I also wear them a lot mainly casual Friday or weekends. I find myself more relaxed and put a little back to the 70's...though I was only a kid then. Will dig out a few good ones Cheers Hans
nice one Andrew and the dial suits the purpose perfectly
the Dynamic was introduced in late 60's to appeal to the younger age bracket and keep sales going which it did very successfully. this dial is a superb example of the reasoning behind the Dynamic, young, funky and different. sadly the straps are crap. too...
Straps ...
Hi Graham, I can see your point about the straps as there is not a lot of material around the edges and I imagine it would wear quickly at those points. Thankfully this strap is new and with occasional careful wear should last for me. What were the straps...
But the truth of the matter
You can get a cool custom strap made for that for not a huge amount (unless you want to ;-)).
Answered my own question: Corfam
Corfam was a synthetic leather substitute developed by DuPont (the company that gave us that other popular synthetic: nylon) and released commercially in 1964 after the 1963 “ Chicago Shoe Show” . It consists of a polyurethane plastic coating ...
hi Andrew, they were...
hi Andrew, they were made of an inferior leather coated stuff i think called corfam (dont quote me on this) and wear out very quickly, but to cheer you up you can go to that site i frequent and buy replica straps for only pennies. might be a good idea to ...
Thanks, Graham ...
Thanks for the information, Graham. Much appreciated. Did you really say "replica"?! Pass the soap and remember where you are!. LOL Thanks for sharing the story of your friend. I will start the Dynamic thread tomorrow, so it should be fun to see the varie...
ah Andrew, Replica is...
ah Andrew, Replica is ok as Omega made a speedmaster re issue of the original 1957 and called it the 'Replica'. in all seriousness you can and probably should buy some non OEM straps that look to me to be better than the original as i got a couple for my ...
Where can I get some from?
Hi, I've been struggling to find a couple of straps for my dynamic. The ones on e**y are rubbish!