Hi everyone,
My dad was going through his old stuff a while back and this old Omega watch was uncovered which he got for his engagement (its about mid 50s I think). He was going to chuck it out but ive taken it to a repairer in Adelaide Australia.
The issue I have is that it never had a case back and the repairer has simply tried to glue one on. I cant seem to find anyone locally who can tell me if it is possible to order a new one.
Im wondering if anyone can identify this watch and tell me what I might need to order as a replacement part so I can use it again. I know its probably not an expensive model but it has a lot of sentimental value
Thanks to all for your help
Daniel

 

Two possibilities come to mind:

1/ you could have a case back made to fit by a goldsmith who specialises in this type of work.

2/ order an Extract of the Archieves from Omega and that would tell you what the model reference is. Then Omega might have a replacement or, at least you would know what to look out for.

I would add that either finding a replacement on the net or at Omega might b a slim chance.

Good luck.

 

Sentimental value will be greater than the cost of an Extract and a service, and only an extract will be able to tell you exactly what model your watch is.

You can start here.

https://www.omegawatches.com/planet-omega/heritage/extract-of-the-archives/step/1/

The extract will add to the sentimental value, and provide you with a baseline to search for a caseback or a donor watch.

If it was my Dad's watch I wouldn't even consider the costs, and they will likely be greater than the cash value of the watch.

BTW, it is in need of a service.

 

Is is a gold case, or gold-plated? (I think I see some steel on one of the lugs, but it could be the light) If it's plated then your chances of picking up an old steel case or a broken-down watch of the same pattern might be better than those of finding a gold one. You could then get a jeweller to plate the caseback.

As already stated, the cost of doing this (+ extract, service etc) will exceed the monetary value of the watch. Best to approach it as a passion project then.

 

Maybe I don't fully understand this business of obtaining an extract. But I thought you would need the information which is inside the case back, plus the movement serial number, in order to obtain an extract. With no case back.....?

 

+1

 

OP has the serial and caliber. That plus a description of the watch is all that's required.

Omega will be able to tell him if the movement originated in his watch, or a Ranchero or a SM300 .

 

Do we know of anyone who has succeeded in obtaining a dedicated abstract when the case back information is not available?

 

The two extracts that I have purchased through the OB just listed the serial number and Speedmaster, on the order.

 

The only mandatory info is the movement serial number.

 

Does not looks like a Swiss case. The tips of what appear to be fixed strap bars as well as the shape and construction of the lugs points in the direction of a South American case which would not have had a reference number.

Even if OP had a reference number the likelihood of finding a back would be nearly impossible.

 

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses, although it still seems I may struggle to find a part. I'm definitely looking to do my best to have the watch repaired and know the cost will outweigh the value(I actually think it's a nice looking model anyway...).
I'm not a collector of watches but am quickly learning the models are all pretty much unique
I'll need to do some more work based on the advice on this thread
Thanks again Daniel

 

As the OP knows the calibre and can measure the dial diameter, is a donor Omega case from eBay not an option? Ok, it won't be a perfect replica, and the result will be a Frankenstein watch, but it might be the easiest solution?

 

Totally agree! look like French or South American case.
You need to find somebody who can make a gold caseback for your watch.

 

If it is a French case, there should be an eagle head on the case - most often on the lugs.

 

Thanks for that. I can't find any markings on the case. I'm beginning to think the best option is to have someone machine up a replacement and possibly find a spare some time down the track. Seems like identifying it without a case back is very hard. I just took it to a local vintage watch repaired so am keeping my fingers crossed.
The identification advice has been really helpful though..... Thanks to all.

 

What about some sort of custom display caseback or exhibition caseback? The OP watch looks like a snapback, and I have only seen display casebacks for screwback watches, but it might be worth a look.
http://scrapintime.faithweb.com/dispback.html
http://www.customwatchconcepts.com/

 

Hi everyone,
Im now more than a year down the road since posting this thread and unfortunately I still haven managed to locate a caseback for this Omega.
My latest attempt involved sending it back to Switzerland via a local Omega dealer and they were not able to help due to the caseback no longer being manufactured.
Im now wanting to have a caseback manufactured and cant fnd anyone in Australia who can do this.
Im wondering if the forum members could offer some names as to who would be able to do this work. Im happy to send it to wherever it needs to go.
Thanks for your help.
Daniel

 

Might sound weird but I know of several similar cases where the chosen solution was to put a plastic crystal on the back. Not a fancy or custom made one but one of those every watch of the time has in the front, that is a plain generic cheap one, only the right size for it to fit.

 

It looks like the OP has already done that, and due to fact that the origin of the case is unknown (UK? USA? France? South America? Australia?) it will be problematic (if not impossible) to find a correct caseback.

The solution of having a goldsmith etc making a replacement is, in my opinion, a waste of money and time as the replacement will be incorrect, add no value to the watch and the cost will far outweigh the intrinsic value.

So, as suggested, I would preserve the watch by fitting a plexi crystal of the right dimensions that will protect the movement and allow it to be viewed to appreciate its intricate construction and action.