Mens 1943 Omega WWII Era Military R17.8 SC Stainless Steel Vintage Swiss Watch
When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Mens 1943 Omega WWII Era Military R17.8 SC Stainless Steel Vintage Swiss Watch:
$510.00
Among new and old watch collectors, the Omega Watch Co. of Switzerland is one of the most renowned brands of timepieces, a firm founded by Louis Brandt of Biel in 1848. In 1894 a new caliber bore the name of Omega for the first time, and since then the company has produced some of the finest caliber wristwatches money can buy. Omega is also my favorite Swiss watch firm, unsurpassed when it comes to style and high quality for less than a Kings’ Ransom .
I am pleased to offer for sale the following vintage men’s Omega timepiece, a WWII era model that dates to ca 1943 and is in excellent condition. This (correctly) triple-signed watch is a Caliber R17.8 SC model, featuring 17 jewels and beating at 21,600 A/h.
It measures 38mm lug tip to lug tip and 31mm in width (33.5mm with original domed steel winding crown). In inches this works out to be 1-1/2 inches long by just under 1-1/4 inches wide, not including the crown. This is a smaller men’s watch by today’s standards but a normal size during the Second World War.
It is powered by its original Omega R 17.8 SC manual wind mechanism, fully serviced by my skilled watchmaker David prior to sale to ensure it winds and sets smoothly while keeping accurate time.
The silver enamel finished dial is in excellent condition, the original that’s been professionally restored to its correct status. It features a 60 second outer chapter calibrated to 1/5 of a second for precision, luminous Arabic numbers, original blue steel hands with luminous fill and ‘sweep’ blue steel sweep seconds. Signed OMEGA below the 12 and SWISS MADE at the base of the dial.
The hardened acrylic crystal is in excellent condition, a new old stock addition that replaces an original acrylic/plastic crystal. The two-piece case is solid stainless steel and in excellent PLUS condition, coming together nice and tight when screwed closed. Note the faceted lugs, still nice and crisp. The original stainless steel domed winding crown is in excellent shape, winding and setting smoothly. It is correctly not signed, as were most late 1930s, early 1940s models like this.
Turning the watch over I find a screw-down stainless steel back lid that is free of any wear – like new.
Removing this lid reveals a clean and original mechanism signed Omega Watch Co., Swiss, Seventeen 17 Jewels, OXG with caliber number of R17.8 SC stamped below the balance wheel. The serial number of #9,725,774 dates the watch to ca 1943.
The inside of the case lid is finely engine turned and stamped ACIER INOXYDABLE – OMEGA, FAB. SUISSE, SWISS MADE with case number below.
This Omega has been disassembled, cleaned, oiled and regulated to ensure it winds and sets smoothly and keeps accurate time. It is fitted on a new 16mm black Fluco Germany buffalo grain leather strap with stainless buckle. All in all an excellent, WWII era, military timepiece with a tried and true caliber under the hood.
Need accessories for your watch? Our sister store, Holben\'s Fine Watch Bands, offers an extensive selection of sport, military and dress straps, buckles, deployment clasps and other wristwatch accessories from European and American manufacturers.
Cautious Carl (my old and kind dog friend) and I want to thank you for dropping by, and we hope you place a offer. Let us know if you have any questions!