Omega Norman Morris Catalogue 1955



Original watch catalogues are very useful in identifying and discovering information about particular lines of vintage watches, especially when accompanied with price lists of the time. They are a collectible in their own right and add to the richness and enjoyment of serious collecting.

So when Jim Wilson acquired a 1955 Norman Morris Omega catalogue showing the entire men’s and women’s collections for the year, I quietly salivated over the prospect of having a peek.  

There are a number of interesting inclusions in the catalogue: an example of the hooded lugged Ultima with a beautifully woven and heavy Milanese bracelet; the appearance of black dialled Omegas confirming that they were part of the available inventory or not just special order; a Constellation being marketed as a Globemaster; a MK Two version of the Centenary 2499 available seven years after the original models to mark Omega’s 100th birthday, amongst others.

The catalogue was originally held by Coffman Jewellers in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, an Omega stockist of the time. Our thanks to Jim for converting the catalogue into a digital format and for his generosity in allowing me to share it here.

Men’s Collection: click here


Women’s collection: click here

12 comments:

  1. Tim Mackrain12:52 am

    Very nice!!! I have the black dial model..

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    Replies
    1. Desmond10:55 am

      Hi Tim,

      A very nice piece to have, as these balck dialled models are not easy to come by.

      Regards

      Desmond

      Delete
  2. Patrick Doran9:58 pm

    Hello Desmond,

    This was a very interesting read. For some reason we rarely see these watches available.

    Kind regards,

    patrick

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    Replies
    1. Desmond10:54 am

      Hi Pat, hope you're travelling well.

      Yes, there are some really interesting pieces in this US catalogue. Would dearly love to get my hands on the Ultima shown :)

      Regards

      Desmond

      Delete
  3. Anonymous4:45 am

    A fascinating read from a bygone era. i have a 2499 Seamaster which was great to see in this catalogue.

    Best Regards
    Mark

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  4. Unknown10:56 pm


    Hi Desmond, sorry to bother you but I had reason to send the message below to eBay seller 'adtpcs' regarding an Omega automatic cal 500. The item number is 311808939061

    Hi, just for your information, the watch case G6518 should have a calibre 351 in it, not the calibre 500. This watch has been put together from 2 different watches. I checked my suspicion on Omegas website so am definitely sure I am correct. This message is for your information only.
    Sincere regards
    Graham

    He replied:-
    Hello,
    I am not the only one selling the same watch. If you do a google / image search, you will see several 14k G6518's cases with caliber 500 movements. See the following link for one example:

    https://www.worldwatchcollextions.com/product-page/1950-s-vintage-omega-14k-solid-gold-ref-g6518-cal-500-automatic-men-s-watch

    Do you know for certain it is not a transitional model? Do you have any documentation from Omega that my watch or several others being sold are not original (ie - put together) ? If so, I will take it into consideration.
    Omega's website is a great source of information for vintage watches, but it is not 100% complete. I've used the Omega site numerous times just to find out that they have no info on a particular reference number i had (ex - Omega Flightmaster ref 2914-6).
    adtpcs

    Before I send him an apology could you take a look to confirm my suspicions please. It seems obvious from records that I am correct and based on his reply if I am correct there are an awful lot of G6518 cases omegas out there with the wrong calibre movement.
    Thanks Desmond
    All the best
    Graham

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    Replies
    1. Desmond7:10 am

      Hi Graham,

      Yes, I note the OVDB shows only the cal 351, but these US models are problematical. Morris was importing 17J movements and casing them in the US and they are not always by a long shot recorded in the database.

      Serial dates the movement to 1955, and I speculate it was cased in 56. It is entirely possible that some local US examples of the 6518 also housed the cal 500.

      I have checked in my files and I dont have a catalogue for 56, and so really cant say either way.

      A cal 500 17 jewel is not a collectible watch and is worth gold value only in my opinion, and adding to my disinterest is its US casing and ambiguity over case number. Given that there are others around, the possibility increases because there is not enough in them for the FrankenMeisters to make an industry out of putting them together.

      Regards

      Desmond

      Delete
  5. Unknown1:57 am

    Thanks for that Desmond, I really appreciate your input. I'm sorry to have really wasted your time and effort. I think I will concentrate on tried and tested models where the pedigree is beyond doubt and ambiguity. I read with great interest the catalogue you linked above, in particular the centenary model with the very interesting dial. I'm still searching for my first globemaster but it's like finding hens teeth. I'm still also trying to find my first reference KL Dynamic Geneve. I'm still learning so much from your essays in between my searches and they really do spark even more interest in other omega models so thank you once again. Hopefully my next communication will contain details on another rare find to have surfaced. All the best, Graham

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  6. Anonymous1:34 am

    Hello Desmond, i have a Constellation, bit i Try yo get Thor exact
    Name for my N°: 1448 / 431.6. What is Thor meaning for this numbers.
    Thanks in advace

    William

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    Replies
    1. Desmond10:27 pm

      Click on the rh side and send me a pic via email William

      Cheers

      Desmond

      Delete
  7. Unknown12:13 pm

    Dear Sir: I purchased an Omega Constellation S.S. Caliber 561 withPie Pan dial and date on Sept. 1961 at the U.S. Air Force PX ,Tachikawa, Japan.. I wanted a Rolex GMT at that time.. The elderly Japanese salesman  and repairman showed me both watches which were identical in price at $125. He explained that the Constellation had a far superior movement. I bought the Omega. In Oct,,1988 I purchased a Rolex GMT II in Saudi Arabia. Being  pilot I used the Rolex daily and stored the Omega since. The watch and original band are both in very good condition. Would you know the movement no. of this watch . Regards & Thank You, Richard Kaleta-retired pilot

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  8. Desmond12:34 pm

    Hi Richard,

    I suspect by movement number you mean caliber of movement, which, as you've notes is a cal 561. iF you are after the serial number that is accessed by opening the case back and checking the number on the rotor bridge.

    If you're looking for model number, I suspect being cal 561 and purchased in 1961, the model number would be 14393.

    Best have a look at some pics. Click on the About Me and through to the email and I can take a look at the watch if you send some photos.

    Cheers

    Desmond

    ReplyDelete

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