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How do I identify the age of this inheritance

mac_omega
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OMTOM OMTOM
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.

What he said!
 
S
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Yes I’ve considered that as well. Regardless of its actual value it will need to be serviced to keep it in good working order right? It appears to work properly but then again I’m a lay person. I can take it to have the cover removed but after watching a couple of YouTube videos of watchmakers painstakingly servicing watches and how intricate and delicate some parts are I hesitate. What I do know about the Watch is that it has a great deal of sentimental value and needs to be preserved. But if I find someone here I’m comfortable with I’ll send photos.
 
S
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Well my literal mind misunderstood the 11 o’clock reference. I found the tab and opened it, here is what I found so far.
 
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S
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Thanks for the great info. Do I need to look under the spiny thing with the pokey parts or can I bypass that nerve racking step.
 
S
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I noticed some etched numbers on the inside of the case back one looks like 12/08 and the other much longer. Any significance?
 
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cvalue13
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S sandralynnbowen
Do I need to look under the spiny thing with the pokey parts or can I bypass that nerve racking step.

Sorry to step on toes of the experts here, who will be along shortly I’m sure, but you seem to be in front of the watch at the moment and I want to be sure and say: STOP!!

He did not mean to somehow get under/behind the “spiny thing with pokey parts” but instead only to look behind it! This is the spinny-pokey:

887A0226-9156-46C4-ABC0-B9A45BB2BDD1.jpeg



Often, but not always, there may be some tiny numbers stamped on the plates around/behind this part, which may need a light and magnifying glass to find if there.

But don’t touch anything in there, nor think that anyone is suggesting you try and get back there! 😁
 
S
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Not to worry I’ve not touched a thing. I’m intimidated by this whole process to the point of paralysis at times since this my first experience ever with a pocket Watch and it’s internal workings. I’m truly grateful for the patience and help I’m receiving. This is my first ever forum experience too. Thanks to everyone.
 
SkunkPrince
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S sandralynnbowen
I noticed some etched numbers on the inside of the case back one looks like 12/08 and the other much longer. Any significance?
Not anymore. Those are marks made by watchmakers who have serviced the movement. 12/08 might indicate a service in December of 1908.

Solid gold 14K case. 21 jewels implies higher quality. Adjusted five positions (out of 6, and position 6 is ignored because the watch is "never" in that position) implies higher quality. The craftsmanship on the case certainly says higher quality.

You have what was originally the best a person could buy at the time, and a proper watchmaker can get it to run to the same specification or better than new. You have a stellar piece, and only sell that as a last resort (pay for a new liver, etc).
 
SkunkPrince
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And, if you want to carry it, do not ever on your favorite child's life put it where it will rub against keys or the like, because it will scratch the living hell out of that case and you will be in tears when you see it. In a pocket with nothing else or perhaps a leather belt case.

You know those five-pocket jeans? That small pocket (it actually should be pretty big) is to put your pocket watch in.
 
S
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And I especially appreciated the popcorn eating emoji sidling up to watch the show. We can all use a little humor these days even if it’s at one’s own expense.
 
S
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
And, if you want to carry it, do not ever on your favorite child's life put it where it will rub against keys or the like, because it will scratch the living hell out of that case and you will be in tears when you see it. In a pocket with nothing else or perhaps a leather belt case.

You know those five-pocket jeans? That small pocket (it actually should be pretty big) is to put your pocket watch in.
I will cherish it. I would probably wear it as a necklace on the chain that came with it. But only on very special occasions. Thank you so much for your stellar help.
 
JimInOz
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There probably won't be any markings under the spinny thing with pokey parts, it's a bit early for those markings.

The movement is as I see it an Omega 19''' NN LX 21p.

19''' is 19 ligne, the size of the movement, about 42 millimetres.
NN is for New Negative, the type of setting mechanism activated by the crown.
LX is a grade of finish (I assume).
21p is 21 pierres (stones) which means 21 jewels.

The movement was introduced by Omega in 1904 and the 5.3 million dates the movement to some time around 1915 to 1920.

As mentioned by previous posters, this movement would have been shipped from Switzerland to the US, I assume to Hueters Jewellers in Cleveland. A customer would then have selected a case (almost always American made) and dial (they weren't usually interested in the movement as it was never seen by them) and the watchmaker would have assembled them. It's also possible that Hueters had watches pre-assembled and customers could walk in and pick one off the shelf.

As also noted, this is an very nice watch and deserves to be serviced and worn and treated with kid gloves.
 
SkunkPrince
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JimInOz JimInOz
NN is for New Negative, the type of setting mechanism activated by the crown.
Jim, in your experience, is negative set more prevalent in North America?
 
cvalue13
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@sandralynnbowen since you’re new to the forum, it may be lost on you that the folks here commenting on the beauty and quality of the watch are typically hyper-critical curmudgeons with nothing nice to say 😁
 
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