For sale we have a classic 1950s Omega Seamaster Beefy lug wristwatch. It is in an English made, Omega signed Dennison Denisteel case, with the reference 720. It has a well-balanced silver dial with applied arrow hour markers and Arabic numerals. Inside it has a recently serviced Omega calibre 420.
Omega Denisteel cased models were assembled in Handsworth, Birmingham. They made use of imported Swiss dials and movements.
The rationale behind this was to avoid costly import fees on cased watches from Switzerland. To get around this, brands would export bare movement to the recipient country and allow authorised dealers to case the movements in local cases.
Dennison cases in-particular were very similar to the official Omega models which is no accident. It confirms that they were officially sanctioned by Omega and produced to Omega technical specifications. This example is a typical early Seamaster with Beefy lugs.
The case is made from Stainless Steel and measures 34mm x 34mm with a 41.5mm lug-tolug width. It has not been polished but has become polished with wear and age. The case maintains its original finishes. The central section of the case is circular and robust, whilst the lugs are large, known as “Beefy” lugs.
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in good condition. The caseback appears unpolished, apart from natural wear against the wrist. Inside, it is signed: Pat. Applied For, Omega Watch Co, Denisteel, Made in England, 720, Fit washer in back.
The dial has a silver satin finish and is in average/good original condition. The signing on the dial very clear and without wear. The hour markers are applied arrow markers with Arabic 9,12,3,6. This is a very nicely designed and well balanced dial. The Omega applied logo is the the centre below 12, with Omega and Seamaster signing. The base tone has become shinier in areas with ageing to the dial finish.
The hands are original. They are of Luminous Dauphine style. The lume has degraded and is missing. The crown is a later 1960s Omega replacement crown and is made of Stainless Steel. It has a coin edged finish and is in NOS condition.
The movement is an Omega calibre 420 with the serial number 14,074,423, which dates the watch to 1954. It has 17 jewels and has Incabloc shock protection. The movement has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 48 hours. The watch has been recently serviced by us. It has a daily gain of +30 seconds, with an amplitude of 282 and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial has a silver satin finish and is in average/good original condition. The signing on the dial very clear and without wear. The hour markers are applied arrow markers with Arabic 9,12,3,6. This is a very nicely designed and well balanced dial. The Omega applied logo is the the centre below 12, with Omega and Seamaster signing. The base tone has become shinier in areas with ageing to the dial finish.
Hands:
The hands are original. They are of Luminous Dauphine style.
They are in average condition with no signs of bending but some corrosion to the finish associated with ageing. The lume has degraded and is missing.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a replacement and is in great condition with no marking.
Crown:
The crown is a later 1960s Omega replacement crown and is made of Stainless Steel. It has a coin edged finish and is in NOS condition.
Case:
The case is made from Stainless Steel and is in average original condition with light surface scratching. It has not been polished but has become polished with wear and age. The case maintains its original finishes. The central section of the case is circular and robust, whilst the lugs are large, known as “Beefy” lugs.
Caseback:
The case back is Stainless Steel and is in good condition. The caseback appears unpolished, apart from natural wear against the wrist. There are only light surface scratches with no deep nicks or marks.
Inside, it is signed: Pat. Applied For, Omega Watch Co, Denisteel, Made in England, 720, Fit washer in back.
Strap:
It is a new genuine crocodile Apollo strap, hand made in the UK. It has a plain Stainless-Steel buckle. It will fit up to an 8” wrist. It is in worn condition.
Movement:
The movement is an Omega calibre 420 with the serial number 14,074,423, which dates the watch to 1954. It has 17 jewels and has Incabloc shock protection. The movement has a frequency of 18,000 BPH and a power reserve of 48 hours.
The watch has been recently serviced by us. It has a daily gain of +30 seconds, with an amplitude of 282 and a beat error of 0.3m/s.
Case dimensions:
Case width: 34mm
Case width with crown: 37mm
Case length: 34mm
Case length lug to lug: 41.5mm
Case Depth: 10mm
Lug width: 18mm