During the 1970-80s, Omega has made commemorative watches for North Korea. We need to remember that during the 1970-80s, Swiss watches were not in good shape as a result of the onslaught from the Japanese quartz watches. As such, export sales may be one of the options to keep the company afloat.
This is a 1980s Omega watch made for North Korean leader 金日成 Kim II Sung from 1982 and it was commissioned in celebration of his 70th birthday. There are two key characteristics. Firstly, there is a signature of Kim II Sung in red on the dial. Secondly, the week calendar disc is in Korean language as below.
There are other Korean commemorative watch dials with the red 1972.4.15 and 1982.4.15 in red on dial plus the Korean week discs. It comes with a variety of Omega namely Constellation, Seamaster round or rectangular. There are also without the Day calendar and only have the date.
As a history & Political Science student, I have always love watch dial with some history. Recently, I have found another made for North Korea Omega Seamaster Automatic in 38mm size as below and at a very good price too.
My first North Korean watch was in the year 2016 ( Vintage watch experience 古董手錶: Vintage Omega watch made for North Korea Kim II Sung (newvintage-watch.blogspot.com) )
My second was found in 2021 : Vintage watch experience 古董手錶: Vintage Omega watch made for North Korean Kim II Sung (newvintage-watch.blogspot.com)
Another interesting North Koran Moranbong watch Vintage watch experience 古董手錶: North Korean Moranbong vintage watch 1970-80s (newvintage-watch.blogspot.com)
Remembering that there are collectors who hated the North Korean leaders and therefore despise these watches, I just wanted to point out that collecting these commemorative watches does not equal to endorsing the regime. It's about appreciating the vintage watches that were produced during that era and under the circumstances and its historic values.
The calendar disc is in Korean language.
A similar watch was sold by Antiquorum in 2017. Please visit OMEGA SEA MASTER KIM IL-SUNG STEEL A fine and very rare self-winding stainless steel wristwatch with day & date. | Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces. | Hong Kong, October 8th, 2017 (antiquorum.swiss)
Comparison between watch from Antiquorum
Small collection of Vintage Omega watches with special dials
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