1940s Grandfather's Suveran-like Omega identification help

TimothyPrice · Jan 15, 2020

Greetings, knowledgeable Members of this forum!

Can some clockwork lore-master help me identify and possibly evaluate this piece? Alas for the time being I haven't opened the case, fearful of scratching it. The back is absolutely plain with no markings. I have no wish to sell it, but I'm curious about its value. I also seek your counsel on the matter of restoration - my plan is to gently clean the digits and hands, and perhaps putting some really thin layer of protective varnish on them to preserve the shine of the copper, and stop at that point leaving the rest as patinated as it is. It is by no means my definite decision, as I suppose it can arouse some controversy here. I am open to all advice and professional suggestions never having owned an Omega before.

Thank you in advance, I shall update the post with a picture of the mechanism as soon as I have it opened.

EDIT: the sub-second hand is there, only the exposure was 8 seconds and it got blurred.

EDIT 03.02.2020: The interior for those starting to read the thread from the beginning.

Dan S · Jan 15, 2020

I don't recommend cleaning or varnishing anything. There is virtually no upside, and you're much more likely to damage things than improve them. The watch looks great as it is.

For identification and valuation a single photo and no information is not enough. Please provide comprehensive photos from all angles (including of the movement and the inside of the case-back) and other information including dimensional measurements. Hands should be moved to avoid obscuring logos and printing on the dial.

Larry S · Jan 15, 2020

Looks like you need a new crystal. Other than that, a subseconds hand and a movement service, leave this lovely watch unmolested.

TimothyPrice · Jan 15, 2020

Dan S: I wanted to at least clean the hands, because the patina on them is nothing close to a tarnished gold coin or, looking for closer equivalent, a green church roof, and it spoils the intention of the designer who wanted the hands to match the digits (and in fact even the strap thread).

Larry S: The cracks on the glass are slight enough for me to consider just gently repolishing it with some toothpaste, I don't want to remove them as long as they're not deep enough to expose the interior to the elements. After all it's the original glass.

The dimensions are:
- 30 mm diameter without the crown
- 36 mm in lenght

VetPsychWars · Jan 15, 2020

If you were going to do anything to that dial, you would need someone of the caliber of an art restorer who works at a museum.

By the way, you can't possibly know that is the crystal that left the factory with the watch. It could have been replaced at the first service one or two years later.

As suggested, leaving the dial alone is your best bet. I'd have the crystal replaced. Keep the old one if it's important to you.

Tom

Larry S · Jan 15, 2020

I would not try to clean those hands.

WatchCor · Jan 15, 2020

Yes, I agree with the above sentiments, please don't clean anything.

Beautiful watch. Other than that I cant be of help in the identification process.

ConElPueblo · Jan 16, 2020

I would guess that it is most likely a ref. 2008.

From your photos, I wouldn't completely dismiss the idea that the dial has been refinished at some point. I find the seconds track to be fairly crude. Could well be due to the condition of the crystal 😀

TimothyPrice · Jan 16, 2020

Larry, do you mean that you wouldn't do it on your own, or you dispute the very choice aesthetically/ethically? Because if I decided on doing so, it would be appointed to a proper specialist, needless to say 😀

micampe · Jan 16, 2020

Are you sure the hands were originally copper colored?

Larry S · Jan 16, 2020

TimothyPrice
Larry, do you mean that you wouldn't do it on your own, or you dispute the very choice aesthetically/ethically? Because if I decided on doing so, it would be appointed to a proper specialist, needless to say 😀

Aesthetically and because you just never know with old hands. I’d keep the patina nice and even.

CaptainWinsor · Jan 16, 2020

Just leave it alone like everyone says. Take some pictures in daylight out side to see the true color of the dial. If you don’t or can’t open it, take it to a watchmaker who will open it for you

bubba48 · Jan 16, 2020

ConElPueblo
I would guess that it is most likely a ref. 2008.

From your photos, I wouldn't completely dismiss the idea that the dial has been refinished at some point. I find the seconds track to be fairly crude. Could well be due to the condition of the crystal 😀

I completely agree

TimothyPrice · Jan 16, 2020

Fret not, I won't touch it until I gather more opinions here 😀
As I said, I'll try to post pictures of the mechanism as soon as I get it opened.

VetPsychWars · Jan 16, 2020

Oh, that is QUITE different. There's nothing you need to do to that dial. The crazing in the crystal made it look a lot more damaged than it did. Also, it appears that the hands might originally have been blued but might have a bit of rust. Your watchmaker will advise whether she thinks the rust (if that's what it is) will cause further damage. New blued hands might be available (and you'd keep the old ones oiled and wrapped in waxed paper) or perhaps those can be cleaned and reblued.

Tom

Larry S · Jan 16, 2020

TimothyPrice

Fret not, I won't touch it until I gather more opinions here 😀
As I said, I'll try to post pictures of the mechanism as soon as I get it opened.

Suddenly it has a seconds sub hand?

ConElPueblo · Jan 16, 2020

Larry S
Suddenly it has a seconds sub hand?

TimothyPrice

Greetings, knowledgeable Members of this forum!

...

EDIT: the sub-second hand is there, only the exposure was 8 seconds and it got blurred.

Maskelyne · Jan 16, 2020

I think it looks all genuine. I have never seen those specific dial colours, but similar versions in other colours. It "feels" as the real thing to me.

Germanicus · Jan 16, 2020

It seems to be a cal 26.5 with redone dial

TimothyPrice · Jan 16, 2020

Here is an attempted macro of the controversial sub dial.

1940s Grandfather's Suveran-like Omega identification help

TimothyPrice

Dan S

Larry S

TimothyPrice

VetPsychWars

Larry S

WatchCor

ConElPueblo

TimothyPrice

micampe

Larry S

CaptainWinsor

bubba48

TimothyPrice

VetPsychWars

Larry S

ConElPueblo

Maskelyne

Germanicus

TimothyPrice

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