Info on my grandfather's funky 1970s Omega Automatic

dstern · Nov 21, 2020

Hello. I'm looking for some info on my grandfather's funky 1970s Omega Automatic. From what I can see online, it is likely a ref. 166.0118 with a cal. 1481, but I'm not sure as I cannot open the case. As the pictures show, it is in rough but original condition, with a badly scratched crystal, lots of gunk, but a clean dial and hands, original signed crown, and the inscription to my grandfather on the back is clear. I have not been able to find a dial like this one, nor does it seem that the cal 1481 drove a day date complication, so I may well have misidentified it. Most of the watches that look like this that I see online were branded Geneva. This one says only Omega Automatic, so I don't know if it was part of the Geneva line or not. Any information you can provide would be appreciated. Thanks.

CPRwatch · Nov 21, 2020

Don’t know about the watch , but the inscription is something I can really relate too . 3 generations of my family worked in the steel industry & I would be really proud to have a watch with that inscription on it as a family heirloom.

dstern · Nov 21, 2020

CPRwatch
Don’t know about the watch , but the inscription is something I can really relate too . 3 generations of my family worked in the steel industry & I would be really proud to have a watch with that inscription on it as a family heirloom.

Yes, we are proud to have this heirloom. I can't imagine nearly 40 years of work in a hot strip mill.

Sherbie · Nov 21, 2020

Try polishing the crystal with some toothpaste and a bit of pressure with a wad of cotton wool In circular motion, and it will improve the look Markedly

janice&fred · Nov 21, 2020

I bet that watch would clean up real nice. Just please don't do anything irreversible like attack the stainless steel with polishing compound. That is a real cool 70's style dial 👍

X350 XJR · Nov 21, 2020

Reference 166.0141 caliber 750/752.

dstern · Nov 21, 2020

X350 XJR
Reference 166.0141 caliber 750/752.

Thanks, @X350XJR. I appreciate the info.

dstern · Nov 21, 2020

Now that we know it is a ref. 166.0141, does anyone know what the original bracelet was and whether it is possible to find one in SS. There is Ian original ad posted elsewhere on OF that shows the bracelet but in gold. See https://omegaforums.net/attachments/2d5dc796-022f-483f-9a79-6b4ca560b4b9-jpeg.651711/

dstern · Nov 21, 2020

Tako Yaki
Hi there,

sorry, but please never use toothpaste on a watch!
Toothpaste has abrassives in it, that scatches the crystal and the watchcase and will go in every slid!
Its like going with your good camera in a sandstorm...

Go to a good, local watchmaker, with experience in vintage watches!
He/she will "wake up" Your watch carefully and give it what it need!

Scratched acryllic crystsls can also be re-polished on a lathe, but for that the crystal should be removed from the watch!
It is woth to go with Your watch to a watchmaker and get it done! It will cost a bit, but a family heirloom like this it is well worth!

Really beautiful watch, fantastic family piece!

Greetings
Tako

Thanks, Tako. After some years in a drawer this is going to my trusted watchmaker who has serviced a number of my vintage watches already. I'll make sure this heirloom is treated sympathetically.

redpcar · Nov 21, 2020

Tako Yaki
Hi there,

sorry, but please never use toothpaste on a watch!
Toothpaste has abrassives in it, that scatches the crystal and the watchcase and will go in every slid!
Its like going with your good camera in a sandstorm...

Go to a good, local watchmaker, with experience in vintage watches!
He/she will "wake up" Your watch carefully and give it what it need!

Scratched acryllic crystsls can also be re-polished on a lathe, but for that the crystal should be removed from the watch!
It is woth to go with Your watch to a watchmaker and get it done! It will cost a bit, but a family heirloom like this it is well worth!

Really beautiful watch, fantastic family piece!

Greetings
Tako

I've used toothpaste before in a pinch. Worked fine 😵‍💫

ConElPueblo · Nov 22, 2020

Tako Yaki
Hi!

Ask a professional watchmaker or a bench jeweller about the use of toothpaste on watches and/or jewellery accessories...

It do makes small scratches (also on the brushed or polished finish of the watch) and it will stay in remote places! Toothpaste contains abrassive, like fine sandpaper and bleach to keep the teeth white!
You dont want to have that going into the seals of the watch and further into the mechanics..
At least I would not recomend it and in no case do it with my watches or accessories!

Best regards!

You realise that other polishing compounds such as Polywatch works in the exact same manner? Use it on the crystal and you will do just fine. Stating that it will 'go into the seals and further into the mechanics' is borderline idiotic.

gatorcpa · Nov 22, 2020

Tako Yaki
Scratched acryllic crystsls can also be re-polished on a lathe, but for that the crystal should be removed from the watch!

I would never, ever do this. You’ll burn right through the crystal if you are not careful. Only polish a crystal by hand.

I’m not a big fan of toothpaste as different brands have different fineness of grit, so you really don’t know what you are going to get.

Regarding your comment about scratching the crystal, in fact, that is the object of polishing, at least for a plastic crystal. What you are trying to do is to build up enough friction to melt the top layer of plastic and fill in those scratches. When the liquid plastic hardens, it will be clear and smooth. Like it was when new.

I also use painter’s tape to mask off the bezel to avoid getting Polywatch on the case. Only use small 100% cotton swabs (Q-tips in the US) to control exactly where you polish.

Common sense goes a long way here.
gatorcpa

dstern · Nov 22, 2020

Well, i didn't expect to elicit comments from the likes of @gatorcpa and @ConElPueblo on crystal polishing, but that is part of what makes OF. so special. Thank you. But clearly this watch is headed to my watchmaker for service.

Can anyone tell me what bracelet and end links were original options for the 166.0141? And whether this was part of the Geneva line even though it is not signed on the dial. Thanks once again.

janice&fred · Nov 22, 2020

Tako Yaki
Only cause somebody is new at a Forum, means not naturally the person has no idea what he is talking about!

Let it go. Clearly you are way off on acrylic crystal polishing. Most of us do it all the time as that's part of the enjoyment of the hobby. There are many things that can be done yourself and perfectly safe for the watch.

janice&fred · Nov 22, 2020

Tako Yaki
Well I am, as I wrote open for arguments, but not for blaming!

Understood but no need for an argument on whether it's safe for a person to polish a crystal themselves. It's actually fairly simple and as a how-to for beginners, our member "scarecrowboat" posted an excellent thread on his crystal restoration on a vintage skin diver watch. 👍

wilderbeast · Nov 22, 2020

Moving the topic back to the OP, I don’t know about the type of bracelet used on these, but I think a nice quality leather strap will sing on this (maybe in navy blue), or an aftermarket mesh bracelet (which I am quite into on watches from this era). It’s a great heirloom, and I love the respect with which you’re treating it. I’m a sucker for 70s style on watches and this one will be stunning once cleaned up. Please post a picture when she’s back from the spa! 👍

dstern · Nov 22, 2020

wilderbeast
It’s a great heirloom, and I love the respect with which you’re treating it. I’m a sucker for 70s style on watches and this one will be stunning once cleaned up. Please post a picture when she’s back from the spa! 👍

Thank you @wilderbeast. I will be sure to do so. The watch belongs to my brother and I'm helping him learn about it and how to care for it. I doubt that he'll be led to become a watch nut as so many of us here are, but he treasures the heirloom and we both appreciate the help and advice.

Dan S · Nov 22, 2020

Tako Yaki
sorry, but please never use toothpaste on a watch!
Toothpaste has abrassives in it, that scatches the crystal and the watchcase and will go in every slid!
Its like going with your good camera in a sandstorm...

Go to a good, local watchmaker, with experience in vintage watches!
He/she will "wake up" Your watch carefully and give it what it need!

Scratched acryllic crystsls can also be re-polished on a lathe, but for that the crystal should be removed from the watch!
It is woth to go with Your watch to a watchmaker and get it done! It will cost a bit, but a family heirloom like this it is well worth!

Toothpaste is probably not the best compound to use, but mainly because the grit size is not well-defined. Otherwise, this post is way off base. Many of us routinely and successfully polish badly scratched acrylic crystals with a combination of sandpaper and polishing compounds, and obviously these involve abrasives. In fact, nearly all polishing involves abrasives. Sometimes it is the best way to salvage a hard-to-find crystal on a vintage watch, I believe I posted some before and after photos about preserving a high-dome crystal on my Benrus Type 1. Yes, a watchmaker can polish a crystal on a wheel, but many of them will do a quick and dirty job that removes material in an uneven way. I don't mind spending 15-30 minutes restoring a crystal by hand-polishing. It often works extremely well and it's easy to do.

Edit: Here are some photos from that thread: https://omegaforums.net/threads/crystal-clean-up-on-new-arrival-benrus-type-i-content.102629/

Engee · Nov 22, 2020

janice&fred
Let it go. Clearly you are way off on acrylic crystal polishing. Most of us do it all the time as that's part of the enjoyment of the hobby. There are many things that can be done yourself and perfectly safe for the watch.

The thing about toothpaste and Polywatch is that it is irreversible. You can clean your watch crystal with toothpaste, but you can’t clean your teeth with Polywatch.

janice&fred · Nov 22, 2020

Engee
but you can’t clean your teeth with Polywatch.

Now you tell me?

Info on my grandfather's funky 1970s Omega Automatic

dstern

CPRwatch

dstern

Sherbie

janice&fred

X350 XJR

dstern

dstern

dstern

redpcar

ConElPueblo

gatorcpa

dstern

janice&fred

janice&fred

wilderbeast

dstern

Dan S

Engee

janice&fred

Similar threads

Request for info on my grandfathers watch

Info on my grandpa's omega?

1970s Omega Cosmic 2000 diver 1012 movement £1000

Seeking info on my grandfather's Speedmaster

Advice on my grandfather's wristwatch

Info on my Seamaster Cosmic?