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Help with Vintage Omega - Possibly 1940's Chronograph

J
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Hello, I am new to the forums and would love to have help identifying my grandfather's vintage Omega Chronograph. I have found that it appears to be a 1940's oversized chronograph with tachometre, telemetre, and pulsometer. It functions perfectly and the dial appears be in rather good shape for its age. The case and back cover appear to have had a heavy-handed person open it up. The watch is in the exact condition I received it years ago. I couldn't find an exact match in looking through hundreds of photos online. It may be difficult to see in the photos but the 15 pulsations ring is a green color. I haven't had the watch opened so I don't have photos of the movement or inside of the back cover. Any help would be very much appreciated!
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Fallout Boy
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Welcome!
You can start your own research at Chrono24.com. Or : google photos with suitable key words.

40ies is IMO correct.
 
cristos71
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I'm not sure but it looks like it could be a ref 2381 with a 27CHRO / cal.320
 
Vitezi
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J JSpdx
Any help would be very much appreciated!
Hello @JSpdx and welcome to the forum! You have a late-1940's 2-register steel-case chronograph featuring a caliber 320 inside. If you intend to keep and wear your grandfather's watch, we recommend that you first find an independent watchmaker near you who is familiar with working on vintage watches.

Ask the watchmaker for a complete movement service, since all of the tiny mechanical parts inside your watch need to be cleaned, inspected for wear and tear, and then re-lubricated before your watch will function well as a reliable timepiece. When your watchmaker disassembles your watch for cleaning, ask to see the inside caseback of the watch. There you will find the case reference numbers. If you need help finding a watchmaker, ask the forum for some suggestions near you.

You have a lovely chronograph worthy of some love and attention, and made even better by its heirloom status. Good luck with it, and keep us posted on your progress!
 
J
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Thank you all for the encouraging words! I love all of the information and will take all I can get. I forgot to mention the case diameter, which is roughly 37-38 mm. Don't know if that information will help. And yes, I do need help finding a watchmaker that works on vintage watches. The part of Oregon where I currently am does not appear to have many options. Thanks again!
 
M
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J JSpdx
Thank you all for the encouraging words! I love all of the information and will take all I can get. I forgot to mention the case diameter, which is roughly 37-38 mm. Don't know if that information will help. And yes, I do need help finding a watchmaker that works on vintage watches. The part of Oregon where I currently am does not appear to have many options. Thanks again!
If it is 37-38 (and not 35) you've got a jumbo on your hands - a very desirable piece I must say. This watch deserves love, let know what part of the world you are in so someone can suggest good independent watchmakers. Mind you, service will not be cheap on this - at least US$500.
 
M
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J JSpdx
Thank you all for the encouraging words! I love all of the information and will take all I can get. I forgot to mention the case diameter, which is roughly 37-38 mm. Don't know if that information will help. And yes, I do need help finding a watchmaker that works on vintage watches. The part of Oregon where I currently am does not appear to have many options. Thanks again!
If you are in Oregon then LAWW - Los Angeles Watch Works is the name I've heard most often mentioned. Have not directly dealt with them ever, but they also have a IG presence, so you can get a feel for their level of expertise and services offered.
 
Vitezi
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J JSpdx
The part of Oregon where I currently am does not appear to have many options.
Nesbits in Seattle has generally good reviews on this forum.
https://www.nesbitswatchservice.com/
Alternatively, try this search to find an AWCI (American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute) professional near you specializing in vintage watches. You may also try the NAWCC (National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors) search page for "watch repair."
If the case diameter is closer to 38mm, you likely have an older 33.3 caliber inside.
Edited:
 
J
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I did find one certified local watchmaker, only one within 100 miles, and they have an eight month backlog of work. $50 for an inspection, $150 for an appraisal, and at least $625 for chronograph service not including any parts. Does this seem reasonable or should I try to find a watchmaker either in Portland or elsewhere via mail? The watch is very sentimental to me but my practical side wonders if the watch is worth investing this kind of money into it? A couple of you mentioned that it may be a caliber 33.3, is this good, bad, or just different when compared to the 320 others had mentioned? Thank you all for your continued input. I will take all the information I can get!
 
Mark020
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This is a valuable piece and certainly worth the money for a service
 
Larry S
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J JSpdx
I did find one certified local watchmaker, only one within 100 miles, and they have an eight month backlog of work. $50 for an inspection, $150 for an appraisal, and at least $625 for chronograph service not including any parts. Does this seem reasonable or should I try to find a watchmaker either in Portland or elsewhere via mail? The watch is very sentimental to me but my practical side wonders if the watch is worth investing this kind of money into it? A couple of you mentioned that it may be a caliber 33.3, is this good, bad, or just different when compared to the 320 others had mentioned? Thank you all for your continued input. I will take all the information I can get!
The money you will spend on this is rounding error compared to its value. Oversized, SS, two register chrono in good shape from 40s. Those are reasonable figures. IMO, higher volume place will be a bit less. … check their references though. Movement only. No casework or dial work.
 
Larry S
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PS: get it off that horrid Speidel band. These things eat case metal. Have the watchmaker set you up with a strap of your liking.
 
Mark020
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Pretty sure it is a 33.3
 
J
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Thank you again everyone! Seems like this is more valuable than I thought. If it will take at least 6 months to have it serviced, should I stop winding it? I don't really wear it, but it has been running the last 4 days and is still very accurate, less than a minute a day. Also, it seems like I should have this piece insured. Any rough estimate of how much this timepiece may be worth in its current condition? Thanks again! Please keep the info coming!
 
TexOmega
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Would you crank and run a barn find 1940 Buick without a full service first?

Only very bad things can result from winding till serviced.
 
Larry S
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I’m guessing SWAG between $5k and 10k.
Edited:
 
J
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Nepomuceño Nepomuceño
I've heard great things from fellow members about Kelly Hunter in Portland. Check his page out: https://artofthewatch.com/collectible-watch-repair-portland/
Thank you very much for this tip! The could get me in in 2 months versus 6 with other places. They will also open the case back and do an initial inspection for free. Then they present you with the different service options. Seem like very sharp people. I am excited to have the chance to see the inside, inspect the movement and the inside of the back case. The rub is that they want to know the approximate value of the watch in its current condition so that I can figure out the insurance value. Any help would be much appreciated!
 
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