Previous owner scrapped the 18k solid gold case
Posted By HARRIS A S on March 8, 2010
Previous owner scrapped the 18k solid gold case
Lately, I have seen several vintage watches, being auctioned for their dial and movement only, minus the case. During the good old days when there were only a few watch-lovers and dealers, it was a common sight to see a pocket or wrist-watch without a case. After smelting the solid gold contents, the goldsmiths would usually just throw away the movement and dial. However, sometimes they were picked up watchmakers who keep them as spares.
Surprisingly, the same ugly scenario is still taking place today, despite we now have more people who are looking into buying vintage-watches. Compared to the environment of today, the market for second-hand watches was virtually non-existence, then.
While going through some auction outlets, I discovered an Omega Melbourne Olympic, solid 18k gold watch was being listed without its case. It is rather surprising, since this is a rare and sought-after vintage-watch.
At least, we have to thank the seller for trying to save the dial and movement of this rare watch. Hopefully, this item will eventually find its way to a good home, placed amongst a collector’s collections and be kept as an incomplete collector’s piece – waiting to be restored to its original glory.
It is hoped, the new owner will make an attempt to get in touch with Omega Switzerland to find out, whether or not they can factory-reproduce a case to accommodate the movement and dial of this Melbourne Olympics collector’s timepiece. There is nothing like trying.
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