Stainless steel Omega 2292

size11s

Hi, I think the stainless steel Omega 6B/159's came in the case with the long number in the case back beginning 10xxxxx and saying 'acier staybrite'. I also think they were an earlier order and usually have mvt serials beginning 95xxxx, rather than 99xxxx. So I suspect a mismatched case back, or possibly a more complex mismatch. I reserve the right to be wrong though. Looks in amazing condition.

size11s

They are pretty unusual to find, for sure. Over on the MWR forum there are two posted, one with a 95xxxxx and one with a 97xxxxx mvt, both of which I consider early in the delivery. I haven't seen one with a late mvt serial. Again, though, I reserve the right to be wrong.

size11s

They are pretty unusual to find, for sure. Over on the MWR forum there are two posted, one with a 95xxxxx and one with a 97xxxxx mvt, both of which I consider early in the delivery. I haven't seen one with a late mvt serial. Again, though, I reserve the right to be wrong.

Vitezi

Always better to add pictures rather than links

size11s

I think military watches of this period go through servicing within the military, and then preparation for post war surplus disposal outside the military where large parcels of watches are turned around quite quickly with much less attention to detail than we consider 'normal' today. Hence the high number of mismatched case backs to mid cases with WWW watches, for example. This, obviously can apply to movements too, its the pressure of war time logistics and economics of the post war surplus disposal, when the UK govt really needed the cash. The Sargeant watch has a dial that is possibly an in service MoD replacement, or a surplus sale replacement. Personally, I think this is all part of the history/provenance of the watch, relatively untouched, original watches are very unusual to see and always carry large premiums.

I don't know what the definitive answer is concerning the movement serial numbers in the 10xxxxx all stainless steel cases. It is the case however that the all stainless steel cases have the AM 6B/159 issue marking rather than the later pheon 6B/159, I can't remember off hand the date of the change of the issue marking system but I think this is the major factor that designates them as early in the issue.

Which ever way you have a military watch in fabulous condition, albeit perhaps not as originally issued.

lucentcrow

Hi that’s a beauty I’ve also had a nice duralumin version and always on the look out for one of these steel versions hands look fine by the way, I recently found one with a 6b/159 caseback which was completely wrong it should of been an AM caseback and was probably retro fitted because the sizes are slightly different, I agree with what’s said above but thought I’d add a pic for how many were made. Great looking watch and so much better in steel and what a gorgeous dial.

E Eldridge

Thank you so much for this,its really helpful!

The duralumin cased watches are definitely worth collecting also,and have their own charm.
I held a duralumin case without its movement,and is light as a feather.
They are a good conversation piece

I'm just waiting from the MWR military watch forum to get my account authorised,as I understand they also have very knowledgeable collectors there.

I will ask about the different mid case versions made,because I understand there is stainless steel,Duralumin,nickel plated brass,but also soild nickel if that's correct?

I just seen this in Z.M Wesolowski book called military timepieces 1890-1990

He describes soild nickel case as an early version,which seems to be around the same time as stainless steel,so not sure if this is a misunderstanding by the author?

Lee