Found an Omega and need help ?

Posts
5
Likes
6
Hi ,

Found this when going through an estate.

Would be glad if you could help my understand more about this ? Is it real ? It looks nice but is it worth renovating ?


kind regards
Jonas
 
Posts
34,340
Likes
38,956
Omega Calibre 269 in 14K solid gold, from memory these are referred to as being part of the international collection and are not tied to a brand name like Seamaster or Constellation. Looks very raw and unpolished, not worth crazy money but being 14k gold its worth more than its weight for sure.
 
Posts
609
Likes
787
Yes, it is real and worth of work by an independent watchmaker. A simple case cleaning without polish, service complete of movement, crystal changed with an equivalent low- domed one, or simply polished to get rid of scratches etc
 
Posts
5
Likes
6
Yes, it is real and worth of work by an independent watchmaker. A simple case cleaning without polish, service complete of movement, crystal changed with an equivalent low- domed one, or simply polished to get rid of scratches etc

Thanks for your answer , Could you help me explain what "crystal changed with an equivalent low- domed one" means ? When you polish is it also possible to polish the glass to remove scratches ?
 
Posts
609
Likes
787
Hi
a- yes, there are products (one is called Polywatch) used as abrasive on the plastic, and then to polish.
b- when some watchmakers change the plexy, their priority is the fitting in diameter. But in fact there are different types of crystal, some will be nice and flush with the bezel, others will stand proud and increase the thickness of the watch unnecessarily. You have to go for the one on the right, low-domed.

 
Posts
5
Likes
6
Hi
a- yes, there are products (one is called Polywatch) used as abrasive on the plastic, and then to polish.
b- when some watchmakers change the plexy, their priority is the fitting in diameter. But in fact there are different types of crystal, some will be nice and flush with the bezel, others will stand proud and increase the thickness of the watch unnecessarily. You have to go for the one on the right, low-domed.


Many thanks and a very good explanation with drawing.
 
Posts
8,672
Likes
71,863
And a regular 'jewellers cloth' will hand shine up the gold - no need for any polishing.
 
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
And a regular 'jewellers cloth' will hand shine up the gold - no need for any polishing.
Hand polish with Simichrome also works without damaging the case.
 
Posts
5
Likes
6
Thanks all for helping me learn more and understand.

I just contacted an Omega dealer in south of Sweden where I live and they would have to ship to Omega centrally in Sweden to get a pricesuggestion for the service. If I accept it would then be send to Switzerland for service if I dont accept Ill be charged around USD120.

Cost for service would typically be minimum USD1000 but not capped upwards ... ? The reason beeing that they dont know what needs to be changed. I would get 2 years warranty.

Is there a cheaper option that provide a good quality service ? Is the Omega "original" service worth it ?

regards
Jonas
 
Posts
609
Likes
787
Not at all. As i said before, you should get a quality Independent watchmaker, not Omega boutique or Omega Bienne.

Ask here names from Swedish OF members
 
Posts
5
Likes
6
Not at all. As i said before, you should get a quality Independent watchmaker, not Omega boutique or Omega Bienne.

Ask here names from Swedish OF members

Thanks Sorry I didnt fully understand that in what you wrote earlier.

Help in getting in contact with an independent watchmaker in south of Sweden is appreciated.

regards
Jonas
Edited:
 
Posts
609
Likes
787
Get in touch with member McGyver, he is Swedish and may have a few names for you
 
Posts
1,108
Likes
7,249
Congrats, that's a pretty nice "barn find" (i.e. watch found in the wild, randomly). Definitely fix it up and wear it in good health--and don't forget to post pix of the end result, please!
 
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,811
Is the Omega "original" service worth it ?
You received a reply above that implies that Omega service is no good or not worth it, and that's just not true.

The majority of these people are watch collectors, and if you're a watch collector, you want original pieces that have as many of their original parts as possible. If you were to send your watch to Omega for service, they may change parts that collectors do not want changed. In your case, they would likely replace the crystal and the crown, because these parts contribute to water resistance. But you don't know what other parts they would change.

Your crown is probably not original anyways, but a good watchmaker can hopefully find you one. You might be able to have the crystal polished, perhaps not. Your watchmaker will advise whether it's in decent condition. You will also want to let your watchmaker know if you plan to wear this watch every day.

In general, there are two circumstances where Omega factory service is warranted. First, the watch is new enough that it is not yet "collectible". In my opinion, something made in the past 20 to 30 years would qualify. Second, the watch has great sentimental value but shows a significant amount of damage. Perhaps the dial has been previously refinished, and poorly, and the hands are bent and there is no crystal. In that case, the watch has little monetary value from the collecting perspective, and a factory service and restoration would make it more valuable, not less. In this instance, however, it is rare that the increase in value to a collector would exceed the cost of restoration; it would be up to the individual to determine whether such an intervention is warranted.

You have come across a watch that has its original dial and the case is in very good condition. These two things are perhaps the most important when assessing a vintage watch whether to collect, wear, or both. The movement appears to be in excellent condition as well, and this series of movement is known for good timekeeping. A good independent watchmaker who has experience with vintage watches is the preferred choice, as mentioned above, and I am confident you will be able to wear this watch for some years to come, with regular service.
 
Posts
152
Likes
151
There are a number of 'high end' watchmaker in Europe who will inspect the watch and give an estimate of cost without charging you.
The only cost will be return postage if you do not accept the estimate.
I know of 2 in the UK, both work on quality watches only, there are more in other countries.
 
Posts
2,170
Likes
1,354
that Omega dealer is ripping you off. Seriously. A $120. In Canada. It would be about $16 - $20 Canadian for Express insured one way and the same back.

Go onto your postal site and see the cost to ship it

Shouldn't cost anymore when shipped to places in the same country. Omega dealer is just trying to make some money off you when you can send it to the Omega distributor in Sweden yourself and bypass the Omega dealer

Simple and easy movements to clean. Generic crystal about $10. Cheaper to replace than to sit and buff it out

If the crown is rubbing against the case. That can be an easy fix, but it looks like it matches the case and if not worn. I would leave as is.

DON