Omega pocket watch with a twist.

Pearsem

Hello. I've posted this watch on the watch forum previously to try and get some info on it but I'm still none the wiser. Thought i'd throw it up here.







The watch has just had it's mainspring replaced and is keeping excellent time. The serial dates it at 1916. The inscription/image on the rear is still a mystery. My local Antique store owner speculates it may have been made by/for someone in prison as a result of the Rising/Civil War but that's all I have to go on really. Hopefully someone here may have some more ideas as to it's origin and perhaps give me an idea as to it's value.

Many Thanks,
Piarais.

Pearsem

Hello, anyone with anything to suggest on the above?

coylemj

From a historical perspective I'd doubt that anyone in prison would have been given such a valuable gift because of the risk of it being confiscated/stolen by prison warders or other prisoners. The leaders of the 1916 rising who weren't executed were locked up in English jails, I doubt if any of them managed to hang to valuable personal possessions as there was very little sympathy in England for them given that the rising happened in the middle of the Great War.

The imagery is very 'American Oirish' if you know what I mean - if it had any link to the 1916 rising or the civil war I'd have expected a much more military theme such as an image of the tricolour flying over a burning GPO or something similar, not the romantic/pastoral Irish images that are engraved on the back, none of which has any connection with the rising or the subsequent civil war. 'Eirinn go Brath' would clinch the US connection for me.

arnhem44

Pearsem wrote: »

Hello, anyone with anything to suggest on the above?

To all user's of this forum please note that editing a Moderator's Warning will not be taken lightly and proper measures will be enforced on anyone who breaks this rule.It is essential for all user's to read the forum charter here before posting.Arnhem44

Pearsem,considering your explanation I have lifted your ban and the thread will now be opened once more

emkwex

Pearsem wrote: »

Hello, anyone with anything to suggest on the above?

I have just received a very, very similar watch today from my great aunt which her father had given to her before he died. She has just passed it down to me so i thought i'd start some research. The inscription picture on the back is the same but in a different order. (From left to right it has the celtic cross, monastery, harp.) It does not have any writing but has the shamrocks around it the whole way. It was made by Richards and Walsh of London, Dublin and Wexford. The only information I could add is that it could very well originate from 1916 as my great grandfather (who had the watch), his brother was killed during the 1916 rising. The inside of this watch is inscribed with his name with his rank as Capt. I doubt this was done professionally as the inscribing is quite rough and jagged. If anyone has any more info about these watches please let me know.

Wibbs

The style of Omega script on the movement is an early 20th century one as is the movement itself. Further the serial number on the movement is OK in that it's pre 1916 post 1912(number under 5,000,000). Movement quality wise it would be entry level Omega for the time. So the age is correct anyway for it to have been engraved accordingly. No proof it was engraved at the time period in question but it defo helps. I doubt it was engraved by Omega themselves as their small run private engravings would be of higher quality. Small run by a jeweler to cash in on the historic moment? Maybe a few years after? Possibly in the US?