Omega in Queens watch case

[docmac88]

 As I understand it, because of tariffs on imported precious metals during 1930's, 40's  50's, Omega and others supplied movements to be cased in the US using watch cases made in the US.  I believe there were other tariffs based on the number of jewels at other times.  In any event this is an Omega movement cased in the US with a Queens watch case.

I don't really know why but an elderly Marine wanted me to have this watch. Originally with a leather strap, he was gifted this watch as he left the Marines in 1958.   It has a nice "waffle" dial ( I did not do it justice with my photo).  The movement, calibre 420, 17 J, unadjusted, manual wind, 9X0 was made apparently around 1954. The case is Queens, 14k , PX6549, 47744. Inside the triangle reads "Omega watch co".  Case measures about 33 mm.  The extended curled lugs extend the lug to lug to 40mm.  Apparently, the Swiss did not follow movements cased in the US in the Omega databank.  

The Queens Watch Case company was founded by Isidor Dinstman.  The company operated at 90th Avenue, Jamaica,Queens, and the building is visible  from the Van Wyck Expressway, but is now an Islamic Center.  The company moved operations to Alabama in 1965 and eventually ended business in 1987.

Disclaimer:  Feel free to clarify all the facts about Queens Watch Case Company 

[docmac88]

Here is the case back:  ( I haven't done the photobucket thing yet)

[sdoocms]

Great story for a nice old watch!

[earthphase]

Thanks for the info.

Interestingly (to me, anyway) is that many of the Speedmaster cases were made in Luddington, Michigan by the Star Watch Case Co.  No longer in business.