70’s Omega 1342 Quartz

BadgerBMW · Apr 24, 2024

I picked up this Omega Calibre 1342 Quartz retirement watch for $150 at an auction. Came with all original paperwork and box. I sent it into a reputable watchmaker for overhaul. Was quoted $450 for battery, replacement parts, cleaning and lubrication, and calibration. I’ll have about $600 into it when done.

I like the watch and happy to bring it back to life and add it to my small collection. How bad of decision was it to save it from the sock drawer?

sheepdoll · Apr 24, 2024

I recently got a similar one for slightly less.

There was an interesting reply regarding the Continental Can Company and the colors of the logo on them.

Service on these is quite difficult. I service my own watches. In my case the PC board was bad. I had a spare movement. The rotor motors on these can also be an issue. If there is any extra friction they will twitch back and forth.

Batteries for these are no longer made. They contained mercury. Newer batteries run at a bit more voltage. They also take an adapter ring. Sometimes this adapter ring has a power regulator in it.

Unlike modern quartz, these early examples have a robust gear train in them. Much more like a mechanical watch.

Do not expect to recover your service cost on this. Most of these are only as valuable as the parts. Usually as a donor watch to a nicer cased example.

The box is a nice addition, does not really add anything to the value.

MRC · Apr 24, 2024

If you like the watch and want to wear it then go ahead. At $600 all in it's not a bargain but not daylight robbery either. I'm guessing the case is gold plated, but unless you wear it all the time it should be OK. Expect a battery life of about 12 months and when getting a new battery for my 1342 I tell the shop not to bother setting date & time because it's a bit of a fiddle, I'll do it myself.

If you move between time zones frequently the quick-set hour is a handy feature, but I bought mine in 1982 simply because I liked the look of it.

Pvt-Public · Apr 24, 2024

sheepdoll
There was an interesting reply regarding the Continental Can Company and the colors of the logo on them.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/wha...ed-but-not-a-watch.82381/page-38#post-2326951

Gabguzro · Apr 25, 2024

That looks nice! Worth saving if you're going to enjoy it.

BadgerBMW · Apr 26, 2024

Thank you all for the information.

70’s Omega 1342 Quartz

BadgerBMW

sheepdoll

MRC

Pvt-Public

Gabguzro

BadgerBMW

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