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Help needed to find a case suitable for a 20F movement and dial

Troy_Tempest
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When I was 17, my father gave me my grandfather's Omega 20F in a derelict state. Aged 50 and with a little more money in my pocket I had it restored, but as an heirloom it's too precious for me to wear every day, so I set out to buy a similar watch I could wear. I bought a T17 again in a terrible condition and had that restored. The dial has a new style logo, which is fine - I'm not trying to hide the restoration. Recently I spotted a dial on a well known internet auction site that was advertised as being for a T17. It was expensive, but near perfect and very nice indeed - so I took a chance and it turned out to be even sharper than the photos. The only problem being it is for a 20F movement not T17 as advertised. When I had grandpa's watch restored, I struggled to find parts, so when another derelict 20F appeared at a reasonable price, I bought it. I now have a fabulous face that I suspect was taken from a gold watch scrapped for it's case and a movement, both of which deserve to be used... Looking at the old catalogues, I suspect this dial would have been available in both a stainless steel and a gold case, but I can't find this design. Does anyone have an old catalogue that shows my dial on a 20F (how do you even know which movement was used in the 30's tank watch sales brochures). I'd love to find a case of similar design to match the dial.

Omega dial.webp
 
DON
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Best bet is EBay. Might get into bidding wars as rectangular cases are popular
 
Troy_Tempest
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DON DON
Best bet is EBay. Might get into bidding wars as rectangular cases are popular
Thanks Don. I will keep looking. My question was more about trying to identify the right case, but I guess all I really need to do is find any suitable case.

Having said I couldn't find the same design, I found this previous post and it is strikingly similar... The movement however is T17. It's very confusing trying to work out what references align with what movements in the old adverts. Are there any simple guides? Case wise this is nice, but I'm not sure I'd want anything quite so busy.

474898007_1660972161123963_1776757204036630700_n.webp
 
Horologist
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Troy_Tempest Troy_Tempest
When I was 17, my father gave me my grandfather's Omega 20F in a derelict state. Aged 50 and with a little more money in my pocket I had it restored, but as an heirloom it's too precious for me to wear every day, so I set out to buy a similar watch I could wear. I bought a T17 again in a terrible condition and had that restored. The dial has a new style logo, which is fine - I'm not trying to hide the restoration.
I would have done exactly the same as heirlooms are priceless to the recipient! I know the new style logo would always bug me too as it is not about hiding the restoration but you always have a sense of fooling yourself that something is not right or complete. Just bear in mind that for everyday wear, these models will require more care and attention than your average vintage piece as they would not be shock protected from lacking the incabloc/similar shock proof as the shock protection of that time just served as a dust cover. Also make sure that there is a case tube encasing the stem for additional dust proof measures as they were not mainstream inserts of the era! . At the time it was a common expectation that because of how these timepieces were structured ( such as non dust protected case) they required far more maintenance than what a more modern automatic/modern quartz watch of today. This would explain why a wrist watch was also a status symbol over an everyday tool not necessarily affordable for everyone.
Troy_Tempest Troy_Tempest
Recently I spotted a dial on a well known internet auction site that was advertised as being for a T17. It was expensive, but near perfect and very nice indeed - so I took a chance and it turned out to be even sharper than the photos.
Omega dial.webp
Is the image you provided of the dial you have recently purchased? If so, a clearer image would be helpful for others on this forum (to help you) that have a sharp experienced eye for verifying if it is a restoration or a mint original. I am no expert in commenting either way which is the case,. but before you go out incurring more (unnecessary) expenses I would want to make sure that it is an original and not a reprinted dial. If the balance of probabilities turns out that it is a mint original, then I would go to step 2 to continue the quest of completion.
Troy_Tempest Troy_Tempest
Looking at the old catalogues, I suspect this dial would have been available in both a stainless steel and a gold case, but I can't find this design. Does anyone have an old catalogue that shows my dial on a 20F (how do you even know which movement was used in the 30's tank watch sales brochures). I'd love to find a case of similar design to match the dial.
This problem with vintage Omega models is not just restricted to 1930's models. Just like others who have worked on these projects, I have had nothing but expensive headaches trying to mix and match dials with cases even from the same series as no two models of the same series are alike!!!. For example a dial from a 56X caliber movement from the same vintage series reference number 166.002 will not fit into a 166,009, Even when using identical looking Seamaster cases and Geneve cases, you will find that it is the luck of the draw as different model cases had different shaped dials as well as different sizes.. This was a huge shock for me as I had worked on other brands including Rolex where the Datejust series have the same run of dial measures and case measures as long as you stick to that run of vintages. NOT Omega!!! As much as Omega is one of my favourite brands, it is a nightmare when mixing and matching parts unless you know just about every model like your hands. My initial horror reaction when I first worked with Omega models was that these watches of the time were built from parts that fell out of a raffle barrel and put together by trial and error, where what was left over sold as spare parts. Before I close off (sorry for being long winded), even if you do find a similar case that appear to fit both your movement and dial, you need to make sure that the case has exactly those dimensions to fit the dial as well as the housing for the drawer where the movement fits. As Don mentioned, you will be paying high premiums for these types of demandable pieces just to gamble on if the case fits. If else fails and you cannot live without wearing that same model you inherited, your best bet is to buy the watch already complete when it comes along at the price you are willing to pay and keep these parts as spares as you may never know!! Good luck and let us know how you go! I empathize with you!!
Edited:
 
DON
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Troy_Tempest Troy_Tempest
Thanks Don. I will keep looking. My question was more about trying to identify the right case, but I guess all I really need to do is find any suitable case.
Dimensions of the movements. 20F is 20 x 26 mm. T17 is 17 x 24.5

Check around to be sure. If you spot a case that looks like it a fit. Ask for a inside measurement
 
Horologist
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The thickness of these movements would help OP further if you have them
 
Horologist
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There is an omega 20F case, movement and dial for auction or best offer on the Italian Ebay site with eBay item number:286280068463
with starting bids starting from around USD150. If it is what you are looking for, make him an offer before the auction begins. It may solve your issue!!
(disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the sale of this item either directly or indirectly and purpose is for informational use only)
 
DON
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Horologist Horologist
The thickness of these movements would help OP further if you have them
Nope. Did a check in firefox which doesn't keep a history and now can't seem to find it. I would think the width and length would be enough

What other tonneau shaped movements did Omega make?
 
Horologist
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DON DON
What other tonneau shaped movements did Omega make?
Good question!!! I have only seen the T17 and the 20F and one shown below encapsulated in a cage of some sort, which may be something different or could also be either one of them? I believe the OP now has enough ammunition's to find what he seeks
1737891882678.webp
 
gatorcpa
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Horologist Horologist
There is an omega 20F case, movement and dial for auction or best offer on the Italian Ebay site with eBay item number:286280068463
with starting bids starting from around USD150.
That case is in pretty rough shape:

1737906589147.webp

If you buy it, you’ll need to become acquainted with ReplateIt.
gatorcpa
 
Troy_Tempest
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Horologist Horologist
Good question!!! I have only seen the T17 and the 20F and one shown below encapsulated in a cage of some sort, which may be something different or could also be either one of them? I believe the OP now has enough ammunition's to find what he seeks
1737891882678.webp
That is the dust cover on the T17...
 
Troy_Tempest
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Horologist Horologist
There is an omega 20F case, movement and dial for auction or best offer on the Italian Ebay site with eBay item number:286280068463
with starting bids starting from around USD150. If it is what you are looking for, make him an offer before the auction begins. It may solve your issue!!
(disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with the sale of this item either directly or indirectly and purpose is for informational use only)
Thank you for pointing this one out. I'm thinking I'd better not buy any more just now. I feel duty bound to fix them all!

Now to be totally honest (with myself) my Grandpa's watch was just the start...
20250126_211608[1].webp
after getting this T17 to wear more often...
20250126_211428[1].webp
(both dials restored as you can see...) I bought a second 20F from eBay at a very reasonable price with a case identical to my original, only the dial being slightly different. It's in original condition with a little patina. I wore it for a while but the acrylic crystal is a little damaged. Having recently bought the dial in question, I had it fitted to the second 20F to see how it looks.
20250126_211520[1].webp

It seems a little in poor form to modify the watch, so I was hoping to get a pointer from here as to the case I should seek out for the dial, to revert the second 20F back to the slightly work but original dial. It seems unlikely I will get the correct case from what you all say, and an appropriate case that fits is a lucky find. I guess I'll leave it like this for now and see what turns up. From the light brushed lines on the silvering, early logo, mirror finish in the quarter hour markers and rubbing at the edges, I think it is probably original but do let me know what you think. What a shame it was taken from it's case.
20250126_164051[1].webp 20250126_215103[1].webp
 
watchyouwant
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Troy_Tempest Troy_Tempest
Thank you for pointing this one out. I'm thinking I'd better not buy any more just now. I feel duty bound to fix them all!

Now to be totally honest (with myself) my Grandpa's watch was just the start...
20250126_211608[1].webp
after getting this T17 to wear more often...
20250126_211428[1].webp
(both dials restored as you can see...) I bought a second 20F from eBay at a very reasonable price with a case identical to my original, only the dial being slightly different. It's in original condition with a little patina. I wore it for a while but the acrylic crystal is a little damaged. Having recently bought the dial in question, I had it fitted to the second 20F to see how it looks.
20250126_211520[1].webp

It seems a little in poor form to modify the watch, so I was hoping to get a pointer from here as to the case I should seek out for the dial, to revert the second 20F back to the slightly work but original dial. It seems unlikely I will get the correct case from what you all say, and an appropriate case that fits is a lucky find. I guess I'll leave it like this for now and see what turns up. From the light brushed lines on the silvering, early logo, mirror finish in the quarter hour markers and rubbing at the edges, I think it is probably original but do let me know what you think. What a shame it was taken from it's case.
20250126_164051[1].webp 20250126_215103[1].webp

Dial is original.
 
Horologist
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Troy_Tempest Troy_Tempest
That is the dust cover on the T17...
Yes I realise that!! I was trying to see what other movements Omega brought out apart from the two in mention as I have only worked with one of them.!

Returning to your original enquiry, both your grandfathers watch and your daily wearer are very nice pieces to say the least! It is now your choice as to how far you intend to take this and what you see as feasible. This is how. most of us start to get hooked into this hobby and it becomes a chain reaction in collecting more than originally planned.

Sometimes you will get what you want when you least expect it!! As for finding the right case for any of the movements in question, comes down to any of the ones that will accommodate the dial and movement as they would have used the same movement in the same type of cases with some variation. It boils down to what is available for what is a feasible cost and also what you find appealing. Omega parts regardless of vintage are now becoming more and more obsolete as you are really playing with what is left. Sad to say it is like "beggars can't be choosers". Regarding 1930's is really pushing one's chances and you may be pleasantly surprised that you could find something suitable. I found a case back for. very common OMEGA almost 27 years later. In fact the part came looking for me!!. For now, (until something comes your way) if it were me, I would enjoy what you have. In my opinion I like both the models you have more the the Cartier Tank models of the time. Lovely pieces and enjoy to good health!!! Good luck!!
 
Troy_Tempest
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Horologist Horologist
Yes I realise that!! I was trying to see what other movements Omega brought out apart from the two in mention as I have only worked with one of them.!

Returning to your original enquiry, both your grandfathers watch and your daily wearer are very nice pieces to say the least! It is now your choice as to how far you intend to take this and what you see as feasible. This is how. most of us start to get hooked into this hobby and it becomes a chain reaction in collecting more than originally planned.

Sometimes you will get what you want when you least expect it!! As for finding the right case for any of the movements in question, comes down to any of the ones that will accommodate the dial and movement as they would have used the same movement in the same type of cases with some variation. It boils down to what is available for what is a feasible cost and also what you find appealing. Omega parts regardless of vintage are now becoming more and more obsolete as you are really playing with what is left. Sad to say it is like "beggars can't be choosers". Regarding 1930's is really pushing one's chances and you may be pleasantly surprised that you could find something suitable. I found a case back for. very common OMEGA almost 27 years later. In fact the part came looking for me!!. For now, (until something comes your way) if it were me, I would enjoy what you have. In my opinion I like both the models you have more the the Cartier Tank models of the time. Lovely pieces and enjoy to good health!!! Good luck!!
Thank you, and sorry for stating the obvious re the movement.

Of course like a dripping tap, the questions keep coming. The acrylic crystal on the project is already quite scratched. The retired watchmaker who did both earlier restorations had new mineral glass ground to suit both watches, requiring compound curvature to raise the centre of the glass above the sides. His contact for doing so has also now packed up working. I found basic rectangular radiused blanks on line but because of the trouble he went to I suspect these old Omega tanks must require a more complex shape. Can anyone confirm if this is so? Is there anyone (preferably in the UK) who can produce a new glass to order from dimensions?
 
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