Advice for 1930s clock dial refurbishment and service in the UK

Hello All,

First post, so please let me know if I am in the wrong place. I bought a lovely 1930s Omega clock with an 8 day power reserve several years ago. Because I am a masochist, I sent it to Omega in Geneva for a service, dial refurb and crystal replacement. They did a fantastic job overall. However, as you can see from the picture, the Omega signature on the dial is incorrect. It's the wrong font, and the spacing is horrible. The period-correct font is in the close-up photo (of another clock) - an italic, serif font. It's a small thing, but drives me crazy. Does anyone know of anyone in the UK who could remove the incorrect logo and replace with the correct version. Also, the clock ticks nicely for about 8 days after a wind, but the hands do not move. I suspect it doesn't need another full service, but needs someone who is comfortable with movements like this (I think it's basically a pocket watch movement).

Any ideas?

Chris

Hello Chris, welcome to the Forum.

Yes, it’s a lovely clock. You are correct, the calibre is a 59-8D pocket watch movement: very successful and used from 1926 for about 30 years. Omega made many clocks like this, including some beautiful and varied styles. I think yours has reference 16.507, I guess dating 1929.

Did you send the clock to Omega - or maybe somebody who ‘services’ Omega? Omega is not based in Geneva but in Biel/Bienne. I am surprised that Omega would return the clock with this font.

Your comment is upsetting: “the clock ticks nicely for about 8 days after a wind, but the hands do not move.” Nice that it runs for 8 days - but not much good if the hands don’t move! You say you bought the clock ‘some years ago’: presumably your Omega service was also at that time - because otherwise you could expect some help from the Omega service department. If the service was too long ago it wouldn’t make sense to send it back to them. That’s probably a problem that can be fixed easily (in UK).

The ‘OMEGA’ font would certainly drive you crazy! Specialists in this field are a German company: Richard Bethge GmbH, Karlstrasse 11, D75228 Ispringen - and I think they will have the fonts you need.

Omega themselves did use slightly different fonts during the period of your clock - but nothing like yours! Your local art class could do better than the present version on your dial! I offer the following as a suggestion (as in the picture you show):


If you decide to send your dial to Richard Bethge - or anybody else - I suggest it would be better to have the dial removed and send it alone. So you would need a UK watchmaker who could remove the dial for you (not difficult) and also hopefully arrange for the hands to move when the clock ticks! If you want help finding a suitable watchmaker, send me a PM.

I hope that helps. Tom

Thank you both! Very helpful indeed. I checked the service papers and it was earlier than I remember - in 2019. It came with a 2 year guarantee which of course, has now expired. When I said 'sent to Geneva' - that was my assumption, but perhaps incorrect. It was sent via an Omega AD in the USA (although I am now in the UK). I am embarrassed to tell you how much that was - more than the clock itself... Although the dial was in a relatively poor state and a lot of the movement was replaced - and a new crystal which must have been hard to find. Also suprised they didn't fix the signature, but, again checking the service papers, it says 'clean dial and affix hour markers' (some of which were loose), 'leave dial in original condition' (??) I suspect, in a moment of madness, I had my vintage watch head on and was wary of the way Rolex can replace valuable original dials. Can't remember why I didn't question it at the time. It makes absolutely no economic sense, but I'll follow up with the dial specialist you recommend. Chris