Hi,

I am wondering if anyone could provide me with some information on the watch below.
I understand that is was owned by my granduncle - who was a chaplain in WW2. Not sure if this watch is that old, can anyone date it?
I know it requires a bit of a clean, but it working. It winds up ok and the second hand is moving fine.
There is nothing on the back, could not open the back to see inside.
Can anyone help with identification?

Cheers,
Donal.

 

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

You have a nice vintage Omega, it looks well worn but not in a bad way.
It'll clean up very nicely and should be serviced if you intend to wear it.
The service should only conssist of a strip, clean, lubricate and adjust/regulate.
I would not send it to the official Omega centre, a local recommended watchmaker should have no trouble with doing this.
As it's in such original condition, a sympathetic restore will retain value as well as some memories.
One of our vintage Omega experts will be able to advise on the movement etc.

Cheers

Jim

 

Probably a bumper caliber 351 from the early 50's by the dial style, but there's a chance it could be a full rotor from the mid 50's. When you move the watch around does it feel like there's a coin bouncing inside it?

That should clean up nicely if done by a watchmaker who knows how to do vintage.

 

Very good. I have corrected it now, you pedant.

 

Thanks. It has the original strap - well not sure if it is the original strap - it is very old anyhow. Would you replace it with a new strap or keep the old one?

Thanks again,
Donal.

 

Replace it with a proper fitting strap - should be 18 mm lug width.

 

OK, thanks, but mine does not have CHRONOMETRE on the face - it just has AUTOMATIC.

 

OK, thanks.

 

Yes, wow. I thought there was something broken, it does feel like there is something bouncing around inside it.

 

No, nothing is broken - it should feel like that. Please have it serviced or you will break something though.

 

ok, thanks. I don't have the original buckle.
I will look to get it serviced and cleaned.

 

Could anyone recommend a place in Dublin to get it serviced and cleaned?

Cheers,
Donal.

 

The 'Gator could well be correct, but to me this looks like a gold-capped version of ref 2635, and in that case it will certainly have a cal 351 or 354 'bumper' automatic inside. The OVD reference is here. The crown is a later replacement, although basically the correct pattern. The date will be circa 1950, as already mentioned.