Found in the back of my desk drawer...

Dock · Mar 15, 2023

Clearing out my old desk I found 2 wrist watches among the debris at the back of a drawer. I have no idea how they came to be there but guess that they once belonged to my father. I was surprised to find that they both seem to work.

I spent far too long browsing images online trying to identify them and getting nowhere. Neither has a number that I can see. Both have clearly seen better days.

Can anybody here help to identify these?

Joe K. · Mar 15, 2023

The second watch (Geneve) looks like a ref 166.0170 which should house a 1022 movement.
The older watch may be a 1940's model, but you will probably have to have a look inside to gain more information.

lucian23 · Mar 15, 2023

I am still looking in my back of my drawer but i did not find anything yet.. i will keep looking 😀. Welcome to the forum!

Bruce235 · Mar 15, 2023

Good score.
They are actually in good shape, just a clean and crystal polish will have them showing well. The dials are good and that is important. Case appear unpolished also good.
Will need a service if you want to wear them.

Bruce235 · Mar 15, 2023

First one needs a new crown which may be a challenge to find an Omega one, but a nicer generic would look much better.

Dock · Mar 17, 2023

Joe K.
The second watch (Geneve) looks like a ref 166.0170 which should house a 1022 movement.
The older watch may be a 1940's model, but you will probably have to have a look inside to gain more information.

Fascinating. Many thanks for providing the magic number 166.0170. Adding this to my image search now finds a lot of matches. While there is variation in the bezel and hands some appear to be pretty much identical, including a 1974 image on the Omega website.

I think that this may need more than just a good clean. There is a tiny shatter in the crystal edge between 30 and 33.

Dock · Mar 17, 2023

Bruce235
Good score.
They are actually in good shape, just a clean and crystal polish will have them showing well. The dials are good and that is important. Case appear unpolished also good.
Will need a service if you want to wear them.

I'm a little surprised at how the first one looks in the photograph. The intense light really brings out the scratches on the crystal but doesn't really show the foxing on the dial. Of the two, I think this is the prettier, I like its simplicity and the patina attesting to its age.

Vitezi · Mar 17, 2023

Hi @Dock and welcome to the forum! If you intend to wear either one of those watches on a regular basis, it's recommended that you find an independent watchmaker near you who is familiar with vintage watches and ask them to provide a basic clean/oil/adjust service. All of the lubricating oils in the watch movements will have dried up during the time they sat in your desk drawer, so the watchmaker will disassemble the watches, clean and inspect the parts for wear and tear, and reassemble the watches and adjust the movements for accurate timekeeping. Then you'll have a couple of reliable, accurate and stylish watches to wear for years to come.

Dock · Mar 18, 2023

Now that I am reasonably confident that they are genuine my next step has to be visiting a professional.

wilderbeast · Mar 18, 2023

Great find! Well done for asking for advice - a service is definitely needed. If you post your location, there will be members here who may be able to recommend a sympathetic, competent watchmaker for you.

Dock · Mar 18, 2023

I'm based in London UK so there are many watchmakers from which to choose, although truth be told I find their websites a little intimidating. I do get about so anywhere south of Telford and west of Reading is possible.

wilderbeast · Mar 20, 2023

I use Stefan Stefansson www.vintagewatchfever.co.uk and he’s been very good. Likely to be busy, but does a thorough job. He’s based in Essex.

Tire-comedon · Mar 20, 2023

Hi, the first one could be a CK2063 with a 23.4SC inside. No signed crown on those references,

DrmexicoII · Mar 21, 2023

D Dock
I'm based in London UK so there are many watchmakers from which to choose, although truth be told I find their websites a little intimidating. I do get about so anywhere south of Telford and west of Reading is possible.

I found a watchmaker local to me via the British Horological Institute. BHI Accredited Repairers : British Horological Institute

Obviously you'll need to do some additional research on top (are they happy to tackle vintage, cost etc?) but it seemed like a good place to start without a personal recommendation.

Found in the back of my desk drawer...

Dock

Joe K.

lucian23

Bruce235

Bruce235

Dock

Dock

Vitezi

Dock

wilderbeast

Dock

wilderbeast

Tire-comedon

DrmexicoII

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