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How do I identify the age of this inheritance

S
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This beautiful stopwatch belonged To my husband’s great grandfather. I’m not sure how to proceed with identifying its age and value without having it appraised.
I don’t know how to remove the back without damaging it. I’ll probably keep it for the grandkids but would like to document it for them. Any information as to how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.
C266FB92-7E6A-4E06-B18E-01E78033266A.jpeg C266FB92-7E6A-4E06-B18E-01E78033266A.jpeg 2833EF23-F3BD-4778-8BB1-7E613AFCAB9A.jpeg 30A7A380-8F90-4AB4-B332-0D7AA927BEFF.jpeg E3B639B0-037F-4B20-A800-91F3AF1903BA.jpeg
 
JimInOz
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As far as we can see now is that it looks to be an Art Nouveau Omega Lépine* from about the 1920s, possibly with an American made case (Wadsworth?)

To go any further it will be necessary to check the markings inside the outer caseback cover and by opening the inner "dust cover" you will be able to identify the movement, and if it's serialised, it may give an estimated date of production.

* In a pocket watch, the Lépine or open-face calibre denotes a structure in which the seconds hand is in line with the winding-stem, as opposed to the hunter calibre in which the seconds hand is on an axis from 3 to 9 o'clock, at a right angle to the winding-stem.
Edited:
 
redpcar
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Let me beat Canuck to the punch here. It's a pocket watch not a stop watch. 😀
 
JimInOz
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redpcar redpcar
Let me beat Canuck to the punch here. It's a pocket watch not a stop watch. 😀

Just updated my post 😉.
 
S
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JimInOz JimInOz
As far as we can see now is that it looks to be an Art Nouveau Omega Lépine* from about the 1920s, possibly with an American made case (Wadsworth?)

To go any further it will be necessary to check the markings inside the outer caseback cover and by opening the inner "dust cover" you will be able to identify the movement, and if it's serialised, it may give an estimated date of production.

* In a pocket watch, the Lépine or open-face calibre denotes a structure in which the seconds hand is in line with the winding-stem, as opposed to the hunter calibre in which the seconds hand is on an axis from 3 to 9 o'clock, at a right angle to the winding-stem.
Thank you so much for your response.
How can I safely open the case back cover to get the further identifying information on this pocket Watch? Do I need special tools?
 
SkunkPrince
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S sandralynnbowen
Thank you so much for your response.
How can I safely open the case back cover to get the further identifying information on this pocket Watch? Do I need special tools?
You should be able to do it with your bare hands. The outer (rear!) cover will open easily, there is a tab at the 11 position, use fingernail or a piece of plastic or wood to leverage that open.

There will be another cover under that. Likely also at the 11 position, there will be a small notch into which you can fit a fingernail to lever that open. It might be tight-ish but do not use anything other than a fingernail or a plastic spoon. Be careful when you open this cover, because the pieces underneath are delicate and do not under pain of ridicule ever touch them!

Once these covers are open, you can take a picture of the movement. Under the spinny thing with the pokey parts is likely a number stamped into the brass below. You might need to get a magnifier and a light to see it. If there isn't one, no need to panic, depending on the age there might be nothing at all.

There is possibly writing on the inside of the outer cover and the outside of the inner cover. Pics of that would be good, too.
Edited:
 
SkunkPrince
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JimInOz JimInOz
As far as we can see now is that it looks to be an Art Nouveau Omega Lépine* from about the 1920s, possibly with an American made case (Wadsworth?)
American Watch Case Company had a Canadian subsidiary, so that is possible too. My Omega trench has such a case.
 
MRC
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
the spinny thing with the pokey parts

Can we get SP, what are those things called, a motto for his avatar?
 
SkunkPrince
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MRC MRC
Can we get SP, what are those things called, a motto for his avatar?
Hey, not everyone will know what a screwed balance is. 😀 I'm a technical writer, so I adjust to the audience.
 
S
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S sandralynnbowen
Thank you so much for your response.
How can I safely open the case back cover to get the further identifying information on this pocket Watch? Do I need special tools?
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Hey, not everyone will know what a screwed balance is. 😀 I'm a technical writer, so I adjust to the audience.
thanks for taking the time to explain in layman’s terms.
But I think the best thing probably is to take it to an expert as I do not see any lip to work with. I’ve rather fallen in love with this watch and would like to wear it myself as long as this would be the prudent thing to do since I haven’t any clue as to its value. From reading other threads it seems sending it to Biel for restoration may not be the best way to have it serviced. Any ideas on how to choose the right watchmaker locally? I’ve not seen any pocket watch vaguely similar to this one, could that be because a jeweler put it together from parts?
 
SkunkPrince
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S sandralynnbowen
’ve not seen any pocket watch vaguely similar to this one, could that be because a jeweler put it together from parts?
Back in the day, a person would order a movement and a case. Sometimes someone would ask for something fancier. And sometimes there is a special order. This one cost someone a lot and I'd bet it was a very special gift. That it was kept in its original gift box? Very special.
 
S
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Then I’ll only wear it on very special occasions and thank you for that input. Any thoughts on locating the right watchmaker to service it? I’m sure it hasn’t been serviced for a very long time. A local watchmaker here said that he would charge $500 to service it which seems like the going rate and that he would buy it if I wanted to sell it. he hasn’t even seen it yet.
 
SkunkPrince
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S sandralynnbowen
Then I’ll only wear it on very special occasions and thank you for that input. Any thoughts on locating the right watchmaker to service it? I’m sure it hasn’t been serviced for a very long time. A local watchmaker here said that he would charge $500 to service it which seems like the going rate and that he would buy it if I wanted to sell it. he hasn’t even seen it yet.
Part of the problem is that, withouth a lot of knowledge, picking a watchmaker is sort of a crapshoot, especially if a crappy watchmaker, who serviced that watch previously, really messed it up.

I know that our new friend @GMOG in New Mexico is a really good guy and talented too. I've trusted him with a lot of pieces over the years.
 
OMTOM
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On this website you will find some very knowledgeable and also very generous people (generous with their time and knowledge) - but I think you have to be fair. You started by asking about the age of your watch. If you read through the thread, you should get the message that in order to help you, people need to see the inside of the watch (the movement and inside the caseback).

Now you are talking about spending maybe a lot of money - and you still don’t know anything about the watch.

Surely it is possible to find somebody in Austin Texas who can at least safely take the caseback off for you - and help you to take some decent photos. Then you might get some real help.
 
SkunkPrince
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OMTOM OMTOM
Now you are talking about spending maybe a lot of money - and you still don’t know anything about the watch.
All good points. If she sends the watch to Greg Mogle, he will tell her all about it and even whether it is worth pursuing.
 
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