1900 Omega Watch

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Michelle B

·Sep 27, 2022

Hi everyone, looking for any insight on my watch. Serial number dates it to year 1900 (1888842). You will notice the crown is sitting at the 12. I assume it’s a ladies due to its smaller face size and bracelet style “strap”. It’s also before Omega put the symbol on the face. I just put a new crystal on it too (photo with the blue background. The case is Fortune- gold filled 3405921. Thank you

 

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Fulton8or

·Sep 27, 2022

This looks to me like an Omega 19”’ ( 19 ligne ) open face pocket watch that’s been converted to a wristwatch by soldering fixed lugs to the case. This was a common practice in the aughts and teens and these are typically called transitional watches. If you go to the Ranfft pink pages you can get some more information. The position of the regulator tells me that it could use a service. I have a 1917 Elgin transitional that belonged to my father’s great-grandmother. it’s a lovely piece and would do well with a nice fixed-lug strap.

 

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flw

·Sep 27, 2022·history nerd

This forum is filled with members who know far more than I about the history of Omega as a watch manufacturer. But one thing that intrigues me about this watch is the symbol on the movement. I may be mistaken, but if I recall correctly, the company adopted the name "Omega" after introducing a watch movement that was referred to by that name - such an improvement over its predecessor that the use of the Greek letter was intended to be symbolic of the achievement. I wonder if this might be one of those movements in this watch.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Sep 27, 2022

Paging @Canuck

 

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TexOmega

·Sep 28, 2022

1900-omega-watch-query.150874

 

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JimInOz

·Sep 28, 2022·Melbourne Australia

What is the size of the movement?

 

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Michelle B

·Sep 28, 2022

JimInOz

What is the size of the movement?

Hello, it looks like it’s 25 or 26mm, but with case it’s 30mm

 

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Fulton8or

·Sep 28, 2022

Then it's certainly not the 19"'! That's like a 4/0 - 6/0 pocket watch size. The configuration still looks a lot like the 19 ligne movement shown in the Ranfft pink pages.

 

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JimInOz

·Sep 28, 2022·Melbourne Australia

I suspect it's a caliber 12''' (26.5 mm allowing for the plate diameter) which was a ladies caliber introduced in 1899.
I also suspect it was a ladies pocket watch converted at a later date for wrist wear due to the style of the crown and stem, but that's only my guess.

 

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Michelle B

·Sep 28, 2022

Fulton8or

Then it's certainly not the 19"'! That's like a 4/0 - 6/0 pocket watch size. The configuration still looks a lot like the 19 ligne movement shown in the Ranfft pink pages.

JimInOz

I suspect it's a caliber 12''' (26.5 mm allowing for the plate diameter) which was a ladies caliber introduced in 1899.
I also suspect it was a ladies pocket watch converted at a later date for wrist wear due to the style of the crown and stem, but that's only my guess.

Thank you!!!