Hello guys,

My name is Andy from the Netherlands. A few months ago my grandpa passed away at the age of 94. He left me 3 mechanic watches and one of them was his golden Omega Geneve. He bought this watch at 12-09-70 at a well known watch shop in Holland. I think he didn’t bought this as a ‘new’ watch as the strap is a ‘Hirsch’. He was only wearing this watch for special occasions and the watch is in a mint condition. I will never sell this watch and it isn’t important for me to know any value. I would love to wear it as a memory. I need some help of you guys to clear some things up and to get some information about this watch model. I started my search at a Dutch forum but I got some advise to visit this forum as this is the place to be for the Omega vintage fans. A short summary until now:

My grandpa bought this watch at 12-09-70. When looking in the Omega database I linked the watch to this model: https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-geneve-omega-ba-131-0041

The thing I found out that it is strange it has de [18k, 0750] stamp on the outside of the caseback. I heard this is not usual for Omega so I needed to check out the inside of the caseback for a reference number. I went to a good local watch/jewelry shop to; check if the case is 100% 18K, which is confirmed, and to open the case to see the inside of the caseback. There are no numbers on the caseback. The movement and everything is correct for the model mentioned above; The movement is a 601 with the number 29651951 on it.

I have heard story’s about original Omega watches with changed gold cases. But when checking the model above, together with the purchase date (I got a bill with date back from 1970) and the number on the movement referring to 1970 should be correct. I also was reading some comments that back in 1960/70 the stamps and details at Omega were different sometimes.

I hope some of you can think with me and watch to the pictures and would share your knowledge about this watch.
Either way it’s original or ‘half’ original I love that I got this watch from my grandpa! I bought a new suede strap to make it a little bit more easy to wear and I think it's great.

Pictures below!

Cheers!

 

Welcome Andy,
What you have is a superb example of an Omega Genève and to my eyes it's all genuine and original.
The serial of the caliber 601 dates the watch to approximately 1969 and the caliber 601 is one of Omega's most reliable and well designed manual wind movements.
The lack of markings inside the caseback is a bit unusual but not unheard of. It's even possible that the case was made in Holland, but more likely from a Swiss maker and may even have been made as a presentation watch.

Are the black marks on the hour indexes painted or inlaid? I can't tell.

Cheers
Jim

 

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the welcome and your post! Thanks good to hear this! On this website I found that the serial 29651951 on the caliber should be 1970 (close to what you said) which matches with the bill of purchase and the BA 131.0041 model on the Omega website - http://www.chronomaddox.com/omega_serial_numbers.html

About the marks on the hour index - They are not totally inlaid for what I see but 'on top' of the dail.. The black looks inlayed on the golden markers. Hard to see for what you looking for so here a picture.

Cheers,
Andy

 

A very nice family memento.
Make sure that gets a service if it hasn't been done in the last 5 or so years.
The caliber 601 is pretty rugged, but any movement will grind itself to death unless properly maintained.

 

Thanks! It is! Funny fact; My Grandpa never serviced the watch in all those years. I winded it and it stopped after 48 hours with 30sec too fast. Not too bad for +-50 years.. I contacted a good watchmaker and it will get a proper service next week!

Did you asked about the dail markers to verify the originality? I think it’s the model mentioned above.

 

No, I was hoping that they may have inlaid Onyx stone like some of the Constellation models, but many Constellations also had the black painted marker so no problems with that.

 

Just lovely. Service and treasure it. Also kudos for an informed, thorough and polite query.

 

Thanks Larry. I will! Service will be done next week! With all my information above, are you guys agree that it is this reference model: https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-geneve-omega-ba-131-0041

Because of the empty inside caseback I dont have the number and had to ‘search’ with the info I have. Because of the unusual caseback I was hoping for some real Omega vintage experts here to verify this questions!

 

My bet would be 131.021 but you could be right
https://www.omegawatches.com/en-gb/watch-omega-geneve-omega-ba-131-0021

 

I hope you don't bring it to an Omega dealer.....

 

The lugs, Yes but the dail markers are different in this one. ‘My’ one is exactly the same.. hmmm.

This database is not 100% complete for what I have heard?

 

No a well known watch maker here in the Netherlands who is servicing loads of 601’s. Much cheaper. Is that the reason for asking?

 

Search around on google. they came with various different markers, lumed/non-lumed etc. etc. this is not unusual. I wouldn't get too hung up

 

Thanks Gav! Yes it’s all fine and not a issue. The main thing was to verify here if the watch is original as the caseback and inside is a bit unusual and caused some questions. Jim already mentioned it looks very original and the caseback thing is not unseen.

 

I suspect the reason for asking is that Omega have a reputation for being very unsympathetic when servicing vintage pieces. i.e they may polish them up which damages the facets of the case or maybe replace dial furniture to make the watch look brand new. This can effect the both the value and desirability of the watch. The beauty is keeping it as near to original as possible/practicable especially when it looks as good as yours.
Your watch just needs a movement service as far as I can tell and absolutely no polishing!

 

On the same reference number you mean? Little changes in details? I heard before a same model Omega Geneve had different details. The 'house' was slightly different then the same model/other watch for example.

 

If that's what he wants. There are competent watchmakers who do good case work.

Tom

 

The case looks quite sharp from those photos.

 

It does! A hand-polish would likely take care of most of the tiny scratches.

Tom

 

Well that's how it works as far as I know i. e. The Op asked for advice. I gave my own opinion and others too and then it is entirely up op to decide what he wants. It's his watch.
If you want to share your thoughts and advice to assist the process then feel free