1956 OMEGA SEAMASTER Olympic XVI Mens Vintage 18K Gold Watch Very Rare Dial
Posted on May 13, 2020 | By admin
1956 OMEGA SEAMASTER Olympic XVI Mens Vintage 18K Gold Watch – Very Rare Cross of Merit Dial. Very Rare “Pre-Commercial Prototype” Edition – Only Approx. One of the Holy Grail Seamasters.. For serious Omega Connoisseurs, this is a special opportunity to own one of the Holy Grail XVI Olympic Seamasters. And an even greater achievement is to have in ones collection the rare so-called “pre-commercial prototype” version with the Olympic Cross of Merit on its dial. While Omega has never said exactly how many Olympic XVI Seamasters were made, and the commercial version itself is a semi-holy grail watch, it is generally speculated that only approximately 100 watches were made with the Cross of Merit dial were produced by Omega prototype maker Jean-Pierre Mathey-Claudet who also is known for making the prototypes for the famous 30mm caliber movement. The Seamaster XVI was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Omega being the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games. Beginning in the 1932 Los Angeles games, Omega watches were, and still remain, a fixture at the finish lines during the Olympiads. The Games of the XVI Olympiad were the first to take place in the Southern Hemisphere, which meant they were held in late November and early December – autumn for countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The host-country Australians showcased their excellence in international competition, including swimmer Murray Rose’s three gold medals and runner Betty Cuthbert’s three gold medals. Most call these “pre-commercial prototypes” suggesting that they were never available for sale and it is widely rumored that these were given away to executives, dignitaries and celebrities, although the few that were made may have been offered for public sale. It has often speculated that Omega changed to the standard version that only has the Roman numerals XVI on the dial and not the Cross of Merit because they didn’t have the right to use it for marketing, but because both versions retain the cross on the case back that explanation seems unlikely. They tend to sell for only about a 10% – 50% premium over the commercial version, yet are both far rarer and for more aesthetically interesting to my eyes. We were fortunate to acquire this very rare and sought after example in all-original condition. It Chinese lacquer dial, which has a thick original top coat finish, is untouched. It has a few places of loss of finish within the Cross of Merit – because it falls almost perfectly within the lines of the cross, to the untrained eye it almost doesn’t appear unplanned. Its dog leg case has distinctive lugs and the Cross of Merit emblazoned on the back. It has signs of polishing and spots of wear to the back – it presents in honest condition and looks nice on the wrist. It retains all of its original wording on the back. Accompanying it are its Omega band and buckle. Like usual, one of our watchmakers has disassembled it down to its last screw and cleaned and oiled it. We have also installed a new-old-stock Omega crystal. We have timed it in five chronometer positions, and it continues to keep quite accurate time. For the finishing touch we have equipped it with a brand new crocodile strap and the original buckle making it ready for immediate enjoyment. Photos of the inside available upon request. Note For more information on this model and several illustrations, see Richon, M. Omega: A Journey Through Time, pp. Timepiece’s Finer Points. Cream, large applied 18K gold “coffin” indices and special Cross of Merit emblem with Olympic rings in red, thick Chinese lacquer, signed Omega, original and untouched. Crystal : Signed Omega, correct, new-old-stock. We kept the original crystal which had grown brittle, and it will be included with the sale. Case : 18K gold, two-piece, water-resistant style snap back, prominent Cross of Merit emblem on back, 34mm wide (excluding crown – 37mm including), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip. Crocodile, aftermarket fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn. Original and period Omega band with buckle in serviceable condition We also stock a variety of others straps in various prints, skins, and colors. Please ask us if you’re interested. 471, copper colored, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock-absorber, self-compensating flat balance-spring. Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds. Crown : Signed Omega, correct style. Country of origin: Switzerland. 2850SC, XVI Olympic Seamaster. Functions: Hours, Minutes, Automatic, Sweep Seconds. Case material: 18K Gold. Case markings (inside): Omega Watch Co. Case condition: It has signs of polishing and spots of wear to the back including a couple of pin prick indentations – it presents in honest condition and looks nice on the wrist. It retains all its original wording on the back. 34mm wide (excluding crown – 37mm including), 41mm long lug tip-to-tip. Hands: Original, gold dauphines. Movement markings: Omega Watch Co. Swiss, Nineteen Jewels, 471. Beat frequency: 19,800 BPH. Width between lugs: 18mm. Signed Omega, correct, new-old-stock. Serviced: Yes, one of our watchmakers has cleaned and oiled the movement and installed a correct new-old-stock Omega crystal. Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. We have timed it five chronometer positions – it is running very true for a watch of its age. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts. Please message us for details. Box/Papers: BOX – Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS – Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate. Simply notify us and send it back anytime within 30 days after it has been received. View our feedback and shop with confidence. Connoisseur of Time, Inc. 1000 Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Suite 6-343 Suwanee, GA 30024. It is listed toward the bottom of our homepage and prominently on each watch’s listing page. Connoisseur of Time Recently In the News. Steve Lundin with IW Magazine asked Paul to collaborate on his article about rectangular watches, Hip Squares. Melissa Pearce with Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald asked Paul to collaborate on her article about trends in mens antiques: “Mantiques: The New Boys’ Toys”. Hodinkee did a feature piece. On this vintage 14K Omega chronograph of ours. Jeff Stein of OntheDash featured one of our watches in his article Project 99: The History of the Chronomatic written for the March issue of International Watch magazine. Leaders Magazine featured one of our watches in their article “Defining Luxury: Ensuring Authenticity” (Volume 33, Number 4). 100% satisfaction guarantee for all of our watches. We hope you love it! We don’t recommend getting a vintage watch wet – and really don’t recommend showering or diving with it – even one that was originally designed to be waterproof. Wait until you see how big the box is that your watch is coming in! Please do remember though that while we do our very best and have careful procedures and quality control inspections – we will again fully re-test the proper functioning of your watch after you pay, right before we send it to you – from time to time some courier workers don’t handle packages the way we think that they would want their own packages to be handled. Watches are ultra-precision instruments, and the timekeeping of most is governed by a small spring that is only about 1/8 the thickness of a human hai r. The vast majority of our watches arrive safely and problem free. But even on a bad day there’s still good news… Yes, even the older vintage watches. So sit back, relax, and dream about the first place where you’re going to wear your new watch! It does not cover things like abuse, being dropped, crystals, bracelets, crowns, case parts etc. Even if you have a problem that you don’t think will qualify for coverage, tell us about it anyway. We are here to serve and just might be able to help you. After 48 hours the watch will be relisted. Check We have to hold the watch until the check clears. Add Connoisseur of Time. Track Page Views With. Auctiva’s FREE Counter. The item “1956 OMEGA SEAMASTER Olympic XVI Mens Vintage 18K Gold Watch Very Rare Dial” is in sale since Monday, February 10, 2020. This item is in the category “Jewelry & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Wristwatches”. The seller is “connoisseur_of_time” and is located in Suwanee, Georgia. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Gender: Men’s
- Model: Ref. 2850SC, XVI Olympic Seamaster
- Case Material: Diamonds
- Movement: Automatic
- Year of Manufacture: 1950-1959
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Brand: OMEGA
- Country/Region of Manufacture: Switzerland
- Band Material: Crocodile Skin
- Warranty: Non-Factory Warranty
- Features: Hours
- Serial Number: 14,726,097