Geneve frankenwatch?

Vintage_Omega · Dec 15, 2020

Purchased a 1970 Geneve with a caliber 1001 movement.
I was pretty sure its a "frankenwatch"...
But, It has two reference numbers on the caseback, and I had read once "Now and then, one reference could have been used with two or three different movements. Apart from one reference spanning over two or three generations of a used movement, this is also the case with pieces made for the US market. The movement in these had a different number due to a different (lower) jewel count. They had fewer jewels to avoid a higher import tariff in the US.".

I am not sure if I will find out for sure without an archive extract, but would like any opinion on if its a simple case of the movement being swapped out over the past 50 years, or if it could have possibly been a factory swap, due to export or even a failure with the original movement. Frankenwatch being the more likely, im sure.

padders · Dec 15, 2020

Why do you think it is a Franken? The presence of 2 or more case numbers suggests nothing of the sort, the 366 and 166 sometimes suggest that the case was used for bracelet and strap versions respectively, though that clearly looks like an integrated bracelet. It is also used where there are chronometer and non chronometer versions of a particular design. From what you have provided I can't see an issue but a dial shot and at least part of the serial number would help on that score. Does it say Chronometer on the dial? If not there may be a problem.

The 1001 isn't universally popular. There is much less decoration than what came before on that series and the early ones could be troublesome, they were modified into the 101X and 102X series before being ultimately replaced by ETA designs. I note yours has a loose rotor which has gouged a groove on the plates beneath. It wont be a massively valuable piece, (though it is a chronometer which is a plus) so as you say an extract is probably not a great idea on that score. Yes the movement may have been swapped but if its the right movement for the case then it hardly matters on a 70s Geneve IMO.

Vintage_Omega · Dec 15, 2020

padders
Why do you think it is a Franken? The presence of 2 or more case numbers suggests nothing of the sort, the 366 and 166 sometimes suggest that the case was used for bracelet and strap versions respectively, though that clearly looks like an integrated bracelet. It is also used where there are chronometer and non chronometer versions of a particular design. From what you have provided I can't see an issue but a dial shot and at least part of the serial number would help on that score. Does it say Chronometer on the dial? If not there may be a problem.

The 1001 isn't universally popular. There is much less decoration than what came before on that series and the early ones could be troublesome, they were modified into the 101X and 102X series before being ultimately replaced by ETA designs. I note yours has a loose rotor which has gouged a groove on the plates beneath. It wont be a massively valuable piece, (though it is a chronometer which is a plus) so as you say an extract is probably not a great idea on tat score. Yes the movement may have been swapped but if its the right movement for the case then it hardly matters on a 70s Geneve IMO.

Thanks for the info. I am not very knowledgeable and fairly new to collecting Omegas, which is why I assumed it was a franken, but upon reading more, it may not be that simple. Here is a photo of the dial... Thanks for your help!! It is really appreciated, as I am an Omega noob. My only other vintage watch had been Rolex and cheap Soviet made timepieces.

The serial number on the caliber is 31504417.

padders · Dec 15, 2020

To help with your search, it looks like 366.0832 is the correct model number.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-geneve-omega-md-366-0832

Well the dial looks right for the case number but the fact that it has a chronometer certified movement may indeed be an issue. Normally Omega will mark the dial of a Chronometer watch with text stating the fact. I am no expert on these early 70s Geneves but that doesn't feel right to me so yes, it is possible either the whole movement or a large part of it was swapped.

Here are a coupe of pics of a similar model I found, note there are no chronometer statements on the movement, which is the correct 1012.

Vintage_Omega · Dec 15, 2020

padders
To help with your search, it looks like 366.0832 is the correct model number.

https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-geneve-omega-md-366-0832

Well the dial looks right for the case number but the fact that it has a chronometer certified movement may indeed be an issue. Normally Omega will mark the dial of a Chronometer watch with text stating the fact. I am no expert on these early 70s Geneves but that doesn't feel right to me so yes, it is possible either the whole movement or a large part of it was swapped.

Here are a coupe of pics of a similar model I found, note there are no chronometer statements on the movement, which is the correct 1012.

Thanks for the info!
Much appreciated.

Geneve frankenwatch?

Vintage_Omega

padders

Vintage_Omega

padders

Vintage_Omega

Similar threads

Need advice on Vintage Military 2179 or Frankenwatch ?

Is this legit or a Frankenwatch?

Need opinions on this Omega - Is it a fake or frankenwatch?

real deal or frankenwatch

Hi, is this a Frankenwatch?

Newbie, needs some education. Frankenwatch?