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1952-53 Omega 351?

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I bought this lovely old Omega some 15 years ago on eBay for $150. It works beautifully, is bumper wind, but I have no idea when or if it was ever serviced, or restored. Thinking back, I thought I had opened it, but I now think I just researched it visually (finding others with similar faces, features, and lugs) and determined that it was caliber 351, and made somewhere around 1952 or 1953. In fact I don't see any indentations on the case back to use to open it, and am confused by the flat surfaces around the back, that look like a large socket tool could open it. I'm assuming it's gold-filled? Is anyone familiar with this one? I'm not looking to sell, just curious what I have, and how to open it.


Omega 2.jpg Omega Back.jpg Omega Front.jpg Omega Side.jpg
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X350 XJR
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Gold filled American market watch.

That ring with the flat surfaces is the retainer ring for the case back, it threads into the case, it is removed with a case wrench.
 
T
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X350 XJR X350 XJR
Gold filled American market watch.

That ring with the flat surfaces is the retainer ring for the case back, it threads into the case, it is removed with a case wrench.

Thank you for the quick reply! Does the case back still snap on and off of that retainer ring?
 
Spruce
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There are other options for opening a caseback but if you’ve had it for fifteen years and it hasn’t been serviced, it might be more than a little stiff and it may be sensible to get a proper watchmaker to open it and let you have a few photos of the movement and inside caseback
 
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T tap4154
Does the case back still snap on and off of that retainer ring?

No, the retainer ring holds the case back in place, loose the ring and the back will fall off. Damage the ring and the case is fυcked.
 
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No, the retainer ring holds the case back in place, loose the ring and the back will fall off. Damage the ring and the case is fυcked.

Then I think I'll just enjoy wearing it 😉

It's lasted over 70 years and keeps time well, why mess with it...
 
gbesq
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T tap4154
Then I think I'll just enjoy wearing it 😉

It's lasted over 70 years and keeps time well, why mess with it...
Because the lubricants in the movement dried up long ago and you have metal parts grinding against metal parts. The fact that it’s running and keeping good time doesn’t mean that it’s not well past due for a service. Eventually it will stop and if it then needs parts you may find them very expensive to procure if you can get them at all. Would you drive your car knowing that that the engine had no oil? If you don’t care if the watch eventually stops working, then it’s no big deal.
 
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gbesq gbesq
Because the lubricants in the movement dried up long ago and you have metal parts grinding against metal parts. The fact that it’s running and keeping good time doesn’t mean that it’s well past due for a service. Eventually it will stop and if it then needs parts you may find them very expensive to procure if you can get them at all. Would you drive your car knowing that that the engine had no oil? If you don’t care if the watch eventually stops working, then it’s no big deal.

Well, I have $150 into this watch. It's not an investment, and I only wear it on occasion. I change the oil in my vehicles myself, on schedule, but they are far more expensive to repair if I don't keep up maintenance. So I guess the answer is: if it stops working, sobeit. Then it becomes a display item.
 
Dan S
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Can't really assess the dial from the blurry photos, unfortunately, the the color of the lume makes me feel that the dial may have been re-done. In any case, this may be sacrilege, but I agree that it's probably not worth paying to service this watch.
 
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Dan S Dan S
Can't really assess the dial from the blurry photos, unfortunately, the the color of the lume makes me feel that the dial may have been re-done. In any case, this may be sacrilege, but I agree that it's probably not worth paying to service this watch.

See if this pic is any better... I agree the dial may have been redone, as there's no "Swiss" at the bottom. Also, if it had been serviced at some time with modern oils, considering it's not been worn much in the past 15 years, then perhaps it should be fine. I just can't justify the cost of servicing it, considering it's a very basic model and gold filled. However, it does keep time very well.
 
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