With the
reintroduction of the Omega Deville Tresor line in 2014 and the latest series
of 125th Anniversary offerings like the example shown above, there
has been renewed interest in the original series produced from 1949. Originally manufactured for markets that
didn’t have the purchasing power of the First World, such as much of South
America, the Tresor was an elegant and somewhat minimalist showcase for the
famous 30mm series of Omega movements.
Many of the
Tresor models were encased in 18 karat pink (or rose) gold slim-line cases, a
favoured hue amongst many South Americans and their Middle-Eastern
counterparts, and another reason for their resurgence amongst Western
collectors today, pink gold currently enjoying a comeback in the West. Some models were also comparatively large at
37.5mm diameter, a real attraction amongst the “big-is-better” contingent of present-day
collectors and hipsters who need to make a statement about recycling.
I’ve read
several internet pieces on Tresors authored by collectors over the years, but
none as comprehensive as the work completed by Edmundo Klophaus, a long-term
Tresor devotee. We were recently
communicating on other matters horological and he happened to mention that he
had produced an essay and database on these delightfully understated pieces. We agreed that it was a timely resource to
make available to Omega devotees.
Edmundo has invested a significant amount
of labour and research in creating this survey of Tresors, and is deserving of
our gratitude for adding to the Omega body of knowledge. You can access the
document here.
In addition to his work on Tresors, Edmundo has laboured away on a comprehensive survey of Omega Seamaster models, an extremely useful document when appraising Seamasters for originality. The Seamaster document can be found here
In addition to his work on Tresors, Edmundo has laboured away on a comprehensive survey of Omega Seamaster models, an extremely useful document when appraising Seamasters for originality. The Seamaster document can be found here
A very impressive and comprehensive survey. I have what I'd always believed to be a Tresor but mine is a 1950 example with the case made by Dennison's of Birmingham. As with Seamasters and Constellations, Dennison's made the cases in the UK and fitted them out with imported Omega movements and dials. I'd be interested to hear your views.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Let's know the case markings and Edmundo will be able to offer his insights.
DeleteRegards
Desmond
Hi Desmond
ReplyDeleteIn my essay on British Constellations pages 6 and 25/26 there is a description of my Tresor. Case markings are reference/model 13302 and case serial number and British hallmark date it to 1950. Movement is a 283 manual wind.
Let me know if there is anything else you need
Best wishes
Andrew
Excellent Andrew, I'll follow up.
DeleteCheers
Desmond
Hi Andrew,
DeleteChecked in with Edmundo and he said the 13302 looks very much like the 2624 that also had a 283 caliber. It would be good to know the diameter in mm to see if it is also 35mm.
If so, it looks as you suggested, a UK iteration of this collection.
Cheers
Desmond
It is indeed 35mm (35.5 according to my digital calipers). I'm very interested to know that it had an Omega equivalent. In fact, this is exactly like the later Seamasters and Constellations cased by Dennisons in that they were almost exact copies of Omega cases.
ReplyDeleteHi Desmond, this page has an erroneous link in the list to the right.
ReplyDeleteThe "https//" has to be removed in order to access in here.
Thanks
Best,
Álvaro
Hi Alvaro,
DeleteHmm, I tried it and there was an error box saying HTP Error, and then I I reloaded and it came up.
I'll renew the link and see what happens.
Thanks for the heads up
Cheers
Desmond
Hello Mr. Desmond, I've spent almost a year trying to find this exact watch I own but so far the only place I've seen it it's on this wiki page I'll link below. Mine is the one on the left.
ReplyDeletehttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Omega_da_polso_a_carica_manuale%2C_anni_%2750-%2760.jpg/1280px-Omega_da_polso_a_carica_manuale%2C_anni_%2750-%2760.jpg
All I know so far is: case model is 2895-1, serial number begins with 16 so dates back to 1958, 18k swiss helvetia head gold hallmark, 284 cal, manual wind.
Searching on the Omega site database it does say it's a Tresor, but only if I search the case model without the (-1), that always confused me.
Would love to know any more info about this watch and if you or Mr. Klophaus have seen this watch somewhere else.
I'm not a watch expert, it was given to me as a heirloom and wanted to dig into the history of the watch itself. Thank you in advance for any help
Thanks for your question.
DeleteThe “-1”, according to Omega is a batch number marked by the case maker and has no bearing on the model numbering system, hence your watch is clearly part of the Tresor range.
Edmundo has certainly seen the watch, as he includes a picture of the model in his survey. So you an be assured that it’s a bona fide Tresor.
There’s not much more to know about the range beyond what is included in the introduction and survey, except that it was powered by one of the best series of hand wind movements Omega ever made. Various iterations of the movement won numerous international observatory competitions and its reputation for robustness and longevity is second to none.
There is an abundance of information on the 30 mm series on the web, a taste of it here https://omegaforums.net/threads/lets-see-some-30mm-manual-wind-omegas.1546/
Regards
Desmond
Joan, I removed your comment accidentally. Sorry bout that
DeleteThank you very much for answering. I had my doubts if it was really a Tresor as I never found one with my exact dial, except for that one on wiki, only similar that looked like it but never mine. You’ve confirmed it so now it’s all clear and I can rest assured. Big thanks to Mr Klophaus as well, this database is really helpful, I’ve rarely found this much info compiled into one place about the Tresor!
ReplyDelete