[Edit] Loud rotor noise on a Geneve

[Update - see latest post] - The Automatic Geneve came back after winding gear replacement, but noticed rotor rattle noise.


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So after my first luxury watch - FOIS purchase in the year (currently up to no. 13xxx), I fell in love with the brand and I wanted to get another one for my girl friend who is graduating from uni later this year as a graduation gift.

With limited budget, I had my eyes set on vintage Omegas. After some search on eBay, I found a seller in the UK with a Geneve in reasonable condition (or so I thought before I got on this forum). The ref is 166.0163.

Ended up getting the watch around $280 USD shipping and duty tax included.

The plexiglass is not original nor are the hands (if only I had started my journey on this site a bit earlier, oh well, I still really like the look). However, after having it serviced, my watchmaker advised me that the movement is rather worn, it makes minor creaking sound when the rotor spins, but the bigger issue is that if I shake it intentionally, it’s vibrates and makes a noticeable metal vibrating sound. The watchmaker said he could probably find parts the get rid of the vibrating issue, he is certain it’s a part that’s holding down movement (I don’t recall the name of the part) and he could find the part and have it fixed for around $80USD.

The watch keeps good time after the service. I thought I’d check with another watchmaker about the vibrating issue, and was also told that the movement is worn and parts can’t be replaced. He said to just wear it as it keeps time, it happens a lot with vintage watches.
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So that’s that. Onto my second purchase - a seamaster while I watched for the first watch to arrive. Bad idea to search for watches while you are quiet at work..... Some may recall the post:

https://omegaforums.net/threads/tho...-seamaster-and-it’s-value.93915/#post-1219240

The reference is 136.003. So I ended up getting the watch for around $500 USD. I received the watch the other day, absolutely love it. Everything seems to be original (except for the glass) and now keeps time well after having it serviced.



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So I am hesitant about whether I should give that first watch to my girl friend knowing the issue. So late night at work while I waited for a few emails from a client, I got bored and started browsing yahoo JP auction thinking if I find a good deal I’ll get a better one for my girl friend .....and saw another Geneve which looked okay but there were no movement photos. It came with a traditional fashioned bracelet but I think it’s worth at least around $50, so knowing I wouldn’t be so much behind even if the condition was shit, I put down 18000yen didn’t think I’d win, but yep...ended up getting the watch at around $200USD shipped / after tax.

Got the watch and realized, it looks ok I think, though I though it was an automatic but in fact it’s a 136.0099 with cal 1030. Original crown and the hands look original. I don’t think it’s a redial but then again I can’t be certain. I do like the look of the watch. Only issue - it’s a manual and I’m not sure if she would bother with the daily errand haha.



Anyways, now just have to decide which Geneve I should give to my girl friend, either have the first one, which is an automatic, have it fixed (if at all possible), or the manual.

Thanks for your patience and the boring long read.

It depends how frequently they will wear the watch for an auto vs manual. If they wear it only occasionally to match clothing, then it doesnt matter. If its a daily watch then the auto is better and less aggravating.

I wonder if the part playing up in the Geneve with cal 1012 is interchangeable with cal 1030. Perhaps I could swap the hands over as I believe they originally share the same hands.

I think the hands in the automatic Geneve is replaced with an aftermarket one. The lum and black marker seems to be slightly wider than the original (from other photos on google)

Are rotor bearings easy to find on the market? So the vibration and and creaking could both be due to the bearing?

Watchmaker mentioned it was this Parton the photo that needed replacement.

So I found a winding gear on the net and bright it into the original watchmaker. He happily replaced it at no cost and it did in fact fix the vibrating issue.

I then discovered the loud rotor rattle noise. I do understand it’s in the nature of automatic watch to make some noise. But I can hear the noise when I wear the watch. I opened up the caseback and did a quick video of the noise that I’m hearing. See below. (Also bad idea using my finger to turn the rotor)

I’ve checked with the watchmaker and he said there really isn’t a a whole lot that can be done that wouldn’t cost a fair bit from this point (perhaps due to his lack of experience on these old movements).

So my question is there nothing that could be done? And whether this level of noise is abnormal.

Thanks Al, might have to open it up again to check. Could you please let me know the parts no. that needed replacing?

Thanks, will try a different watchmaker.

Thanks Al, I’ll look it up!

Al, do you know if there are generic parts available for this? Just isn’t easy to source these parts in HK.

I spoke to that watchmaker and he said he doesn’t have that much experience in old calibers (he was upfront about it when I first reached out... now regretting my call).

If not I might just live with the noise haha

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