36 mm Omega from 1908 with a Salina Kansas Railroad Dial

Founded in 1848 in Switzerland, Omega has become one of the world's best-known watch brands. Omega produced high-quality wristwatches during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Renowned for its precision and craftsmanship, Omega also created exquisite pocket watches in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, enhancing its reputation as a premier watchmaker.

The original Omega porcelain-enamel dial is unmistakably American in its design, executed in the traditional railroad style with bold Arabic numerals, a red outer minute track, and a recessed sub-seconds dial. What makes this example particularly special is that it is a private-label dial produced specifically for Baier Jewelry Co., a jeweler operating in Salina, Kansas, in the early 1900s. Rather than bearing the Omega signature at its center, the dial is signed “Baier Jewelry Co. / Salina, KS,” reflecting the common practice of American jewelers having watches privately branded with their own name and location. The result is a fascinating combination of Swiss watchmaking and distinctly American design—a Swiss-made Omega with a classic American railroad dial bearing the name of a Kansas jeweler. The original heat-blued hands, applied by Omega at the time of manufacture, provide exceptional contrast against the crisp white enamel, creating a display that is both highly legible and visually striking. This Omega timepiece was manufactured in Switzerland and completed in 1908. It was built specifically for the American market and features a rare American-style setting mechanism, making it one of the few Swiss movements we are able to convert. The watch is powered by a robust 15-jewel in-house Omega movement produced during the period. Beautifully decorated ratchet and crown wheels, along with a finely machined balance regulator, showcase the quality of Omega's early manufacturing. Every movement component has been meticulously refinished by hand. The blue accents on the screws and steel hardware were achieved through precise open-flame thermal coloring using traditional watchmaking techniques (read more here). The gear train, balance, and balance weights were individually hand-polished to restore their original golden luster while preserving the movement's period-correct appearance. Altogether, this piece represents a fascinating intersection of Swiss and American watchmaking—a Swiss-made Omega engineered for the American market, complete with an American-style setting mechanism and a traditional railroad dial privately labeled for Baier Jewelry Co. of Salina, Kansas. At just 36 mm, this piece carries the proportions and wearability of a modern dress watch while preserving the character of a vintage Swiss movement.

Housed in our 36 mm conversion case, this timepiece is designed to preserve the elegance of its vintage aesthetic while offering the refined proportions of a modern dress watch. Crafted from surgical-grade 316L stainless steel, the case features both caseback and crown gaskets for enhanced durability and water resistance up to 50 meters (though we recommend removing the watch before water activities). At just 36 mm across with a slim profile, the case wears compact, elegant, and exceptionally comfortable on the wrist. Every piece is fully serviced, meticulously tested, and built for reliable everyday wear.

Watch Performance

• Accuracy: +/- 10 seconds per day

• Amplitude: 300 degrees

• Beat Error: 1.5 ms

• Frequency: 18,000 (5 beats per second)

• Power Reserve: 24-30 hours

• Complication: Sub second hand

  
  

Watch Specifications

• Manufacture: Omega

• Location: Switzerland

• Year Manufactured: 1908

• Dial Material: Porcelain-enamel

• Jewels: 15 jewels

• Case Diameter: 36 mm

• Front Crystal: Domed AR coated sapphire

• Back Crystal: Flat AR coated sapphire

• Case Material: 316L stainless

• Lug width: 20 mm

• Lug to Lug: 44 mm

• Height: 10 mm

• Serial Number: 3281993

• Water Resistance: 50 meters

• Warranty: Full 1-Year Warranty

All Frett & Co. Clockworks watches come with a full 1-year warranty unless otherwise stated.