How do I tell how old an Omega watch is, was told by a jeweler pre50.

 

The easiest way to get an estimate is to compare the serial number on the movement to an "Omega serial number table" on the internet. Definitive information can be obtained by requesting an Extract from the Archives from Omega.

 

Pictures help

But inside there is a serial number on the movement. A serial number can give a approx age. The watch model is generally listed inside the case back.

 

Well, if you cut it in half you could count the rings..... but that would ruin the watch, so scrap that idea.

I guess the above advice is best. The model (reference) number is on the inside of the caseback, and the serial number on the movement will tell us when it was manufactured.

 

Here you'll find two other sources which might help but slightly different to the data in the "Omega" table:

http://www.chronomaddox.com/romans.html
http://www.chronomaddox.com/omega_serial_numbers.html

But as Dan mentioned, extract from the archives from Omega is recommended ... price is 150 Swiss Francs per request. What I saw in discussions here is that it is not so easy to request one from the US.

 

Correction: the price is 120 CHF

 

If you do not need to know the exact year it was made, do not have access to the serial number and just need to know a general time period (e.g. pre-50s or post-50s), you can just do some googling with the model you are talking about to find out.

Or you can post some photos to get input from the experts around here.

 

Would I be right in saying this is 1961 looks a good one

 

Based on the table - "Omega serial number dates (excluding Speedmaster)" - which is shown here

https://est1897.co.uk/omega-serial-numbers-how-old-is-your-omega-watch

the movement serial number is correct for 1961. Btw, a really beautiful piece.

 

Ironically the case back concurs with that.

 

Great stuff thanks

 

And thank you

 

It is that fact and the relatively high 18m serial which would make me suspect that an extract could come back as early 1962 for that one. More often than not the watch was produced the year after the case year iteration. Not that such things really matter but if you really have to have 1961 then that one would make me nervous. This isn’t a Speedmaster, but if it were, Eugene’s site has that serial at mid ‘62. The tables oversimplify the number vs year and different model serials correspond to different dates depending on movement used IME.

 

Ah right thanks for that, the year wasn't important to be honest but I do like the watch, what site is that for the info, thanks

 

It’s specifivally aimed at Speedmasters which can be a law unto themselves but I was referring to:

www.ilovemyspeedmaster.com

This cross references known dates of production from extracts against serial number. It also uses other more respected and more thoroughly researched data to fill in the gaps, the tables shown above are a blunt instrument and approximations at best.

I used it purely as an example. I would caution against using the date given there as absolute confirmation since as I said above, different models seem to have slightly different correlation between date and serial. Only an Omega extract can give the full story.

 

OK great stuff thanks

 

What happened to the minute / second track around the outside edge of the dial? Did it evaporate?

 

Yes, it's a very clean dial.

 

Never spotted that oh well