Help! Omega cal. 1342 Seconds Hand going back and forth

Hey OF!

This ref. 196.0134 / 396.0873 with a cal. 1342 arrived today ticking away just fine.



When I went to set the time, and yes I’m aware that pushing in on the crown progresses the second hand, after a few turns of the hour hand to get to the right date I pressed the crown to the in position and the noticed an issue. The seconds hand no longer progresses forward, it goes forward half a second and then back to that same position. Easiest way to describe it is it’s only going back and forth, not progressing the minute hand at all.

Is there something I did wrong or does anyone know an at home fix for this? I can definitely take it to the local Omega watchmaker but thought I’d as you all.

I did open up the case back, it’s a press-in, but only to check the condition and get the serial number then closed it back up. It couldn’t have been open more than a minute and the movement was under a dust cover the whole time so I’d be surprised if that did it. Did I do something wrong?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Do not watch Interstellar. You might think someone is using gravity to send messages from the future via Morse code.

Usually this is a low battery signal. Probably time for a new battery. Opening the case probably jigged the battery enough that it shifted the contact point.

Setting the seconds/minute hands on these watches uses a fair bit of battery power. If the battery was low to start with, you may have used up any useful juice.

Just fit a new battery and see how it goes.
If it's still flickering, get a watchmaker to run it on a line release machine to free up the gear train.
If that doesn't fix it, get it to a competent watchmaker.

Haha I’ll be sure not to leave it on the bookcase next time. Appreciate the quick reply! I’ll try a new batter and report back!


Thanks @JimInOz for the quick response! And thanks for the link to the batteries, really appreciate it!