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INFO ON THIS 1930’s OMEGA ???

L
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D94A8B45-1E3E-4130-B4D5-E4AD404F3BD9.jpeg ED68FDC1-1C85-4675-910B-CEBE9FFA2358.jpeg 371BC7C1-669F-4F57-BE5D-AB1896CE9F7A.jpeg 6A7EF724-2146-4EE0-AE80-D4C7E974C18F.jpeg 847B1E5D-0E29-4470-AC7D-A832D3D19350.jpeg 08B5A39F-C23E-4941-84B9-B1CEEB4DD3AF.jpeg 914F447D-FA92-4B42-8F04-0B671D4CD0B0.jpeg 543CA22F-87AA-4A10-84C7-4EF88782386B.jpeg 7FA07BB7-5613-4B61-A293-5D5FC62988E6.jpeg D94A8B45-1E3E-4130-B4D5-E4AD404F3BD9.jpeg ED68FDC1-1C85-4675-910B-CEBE9FFA2358.jpeg 371BC7C1-669F-4F57-BE5D-AB1896CE9F7A.jpeg 6A7EF724-2146-4EE0-AE80-D4C7E974C18F.jpeg 847B1E5D-0E29-4470-AC7D-A832D3D19350.jpeg 08B5A39F-C23E-4941-84B9-B1CEEB4DD3AF.jpeg 914F447D-FA92-4B42-8F04-0B671D4CD0B0.jpeg 543CA22F-87AA-4A10-84C7-4EF88782386B.jpeg 7FA07BB7-5613-4B61-A293-5D5FC62988E6.jpeg D94A8B45-1E3E-4130-B4D5-E4AD404F3BD9.jpeg
Hi Omega Forums,

I saw my Grandpa today for the first time in approx. 18 months (due to Covid restrictions). He has had clear out since I last saw him, and in the process found this watch... He believes it has been sitting a drawer and unused for around 50 years !

It was originally owned by his Father (my great Grandfather) and therefore we think it was purchased from new in the 1930’s. We believe it is solid gold. It was found on this strap although we are not sure that this is the original one. There is no box or paper work or anything of the sort.

Is anyone able to help me with any info on this ???

As much as possible would be helpful, but in particular the following...

1) model number ?
2) movement ?
3) approximate years of production ?
4) likely value ?
5) any tips etc.

Thank you very much in advance ! (See pics herewith)...
 
mac_omega
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movem: cal 33.3
ca 30ies
I do not comment on value
have it serviced by a competent local watchmaker (avoid Omega service centres)
do not run it before you have had service performed
enjoy this heirloom
 
L
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L LouisOmega1
D94A8B45-1E3E-4130-B4D5-E4AD404F3BD9.jpeg
[
mac_omega mac_omega
movem: cal 33.3
ca 30ies
I do not comment on value
have it serviced by a competent local watchmaker (avoid Omega service centres)
do not run it before you have had service performed
enjoy this heirloom

Thank you. We are not looking to sell regardless, more just curious on value. One day he will give this watch to me, and I will pass it on to my son etc. To clarify, are you saying the movement is “cal 33.3” and the model is “ca 30ies” ?? Also what do you mean do not run it before you have it serviced ?? And why not by Omega ?? Are you not able to give a very approximate valuation ?? (I promise not to hold you to it and we’re not selling anyway!!)
 
tpatta
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L LouisOmega1
Thank you. We are not looking to sell regardless, more just curious on value. One day he will give this watch to me, and I will pass it on to my son etc. To clarify, are you saying the movement is “cal 33.3” and the model is “ca 30ies” ?? Also what do you mean do not run it before you have it serviced ?? And why not by Omega ?? Are you not able to give a very approximate valuation ?? (I promise not to hold you to it and we’re not selling anyway!!)
33.3 is the movement. Ca 30ies is Circa 1930’s ( when it was made)
Winding it and running it before service could damage the movement due to lack of lubricant.
 
SkunkPrince
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Be VERY careful with that crystal, it is the original celluloid and is delicate. I suggest you have it carefully removed and preserved, and fit a modern crystal, perhaps a Sternkreuz, instead. You can tell it's celluloid because it's yellow. They start out clear but turn yellow with age. Do not attempt to polish it, you cannot.
 
Dan S
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Great heirloom piece. I will just add that if you're not planning to run the watch, you don't need to have it serviced. Just put it on display and enjoy it.
 
Syrte
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The reason we advise you should absolutely not send it to Omega is because they will try to make it like new, polish the case, remove signs of ageing, and may replace some original parts in order to do so. It will kill the history of the watch, its character and identity which is to be an almost 100 year old watch which has lived through several generations of your family, and lastly that will kill its value as a collectible piece.
Also Omega would send it to Switzerland, and frankly especially with the havoc the virus has wreaked in shipment services one can never completely eliminate the risk of loss or theft in transit. That is not a risk you should take with a piece like this.
Edited:
 
L
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tpatta tpatta
33.3 is the movement. Ca 30ies is Circa 1930’s ( when it was made)
Winding it and running it before service could damage the movement due to lack of lubricant.
Got it. So 1930’s and movement is calibre 33.3. Thanks. We won’t try and wind it before having it serviced. Now all I need is a model number !! Much appreciated.
 
L
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T
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Be VERY careful with that crystal, it is the original celluloid and is delicate. I suggest you have it carefully removed and preserved, and fit a modern crystal, perhaps a Sternkreuz, instead. You can tell it's celluloid because it's yellow. They start out clear but turn yellow with age. Do not attempt to polish it, you cannot.
Thank you. So it is the crystal that is yellowing not the dial itself? Interesting. Do you know the model number by any chance ? Thanks !
 
SkunkPrince
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L LouisOmega1
T

Thank you. So it is the crystal that is yellowing not the dial itself? Interesting. Do you know the model number by any chance ? Thanks !
Yes, it's the crystal and not the dial.

As for any other details, I am afraid I cannot be of any help.
 
tpatta
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L LouisOmega1
Got it. So 1930’s and movement is calibre 33.3. Thanks. We won’t try and wind it before having it serviced. Now all I need is a model number !! Much appreciated.
Reference number (model number) will be engraved on the inside of the case back.
 
L
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tpatta tpatta
Reference number (model number) will be engraved on the inside of the case back.
Thank you. And what is the best way to remove this?
 
L
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
Yes, it's the crystal and not the dial.

As for any other details, I am afraid I cannot be of any help.
Don’t be sorry. Thanks for all your help. Much appreciated.
 
L
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Syrte Syrte
The reason we advise you should absolutely not send it to Omega is because they will try to make it like new, polish the case, remove signs of ageing, and may replace some original parts in order to do so. It will kill the history of the watch, its character and identity which is to be an almost 100 year old watch which has lived through several generations of your family, and lastly that will kill its value as a collectible piece.
Also Omega would send it to Switzerland, and frankly especially with the havoc the virus has wreaked in shipment services one can never completely eliminate the risk of loss or theft in transit. That is not a risk you should take with a piece like this.
Yes understood. The same as with vintage Rolex’s then which I am very much more into. We will not send it to Omega but to have their thoughts on history etc we may take it with us and go to them and ask..
 
L
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Dan S Dan S
Great heirloom piece. I will just add that if you're not planning to run the watch, you don't need to have it serviced. Just put it on display and enjoy it.
I would like to use it from time to tome actually. As long as I don’t run the risk of ruining the whole watch.
 
SkunkPrince
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L LouisOmega1
I would like to use it from time to tome actually. As long as I don’t run the risk of ruining the whole watch.
In general, you wouldn't. You would want a very good strap, replace that crystal, get it serviced by an expert, and perhaps consider a covered watch band, similar to this:

https://www.armysurplusworld.com/nylon-military-covered-watch-band

What's important is that you think intelligently about where you would take such a watch. While it's not super-delicate, it is rare and expensive. Out in public? Not without the covered watch band as shown above. At the cottage with your special person? Sure, why not? Around the house? None better.

Just have to carefully consider.
 
Syrte
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L LouisOmega1
Thank you. And what is the best way to remove this?
You must not touch it yourself. You need to find a good independent watchmaker— not a jeweler- to open it up, take pictures of the engravings inside the caseback and on the movement.
That’ll be the info you need.
There may not be a model name in that era.
You could send that info to Omega through their website in order to purchase an extract of archive which will tell you the exact date the watch was sold, and into what country.

If you say where you are located perhaps people can recommend someone.
 
Mark020
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tpatta tpatta
Reference number (model number) will be engraved on the inside of the case back.
Dont think so

Anyway: very nice watch
 
tpatta
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Mark020 Mark020
Dont think so

Anyway: very nice watch
What makes you say that? While the oldest Omega I have is 1948 all of them have the reference number on the case back. Were they not marked in the 30’s?
Edited:
 
gatorcpa
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tpatta tpatta
Were they not marked in the 30’s?
Most from this era just had a case serial number on the inside of the caseback.

You need someone with an old catalog to find the case reference number. Even then, Omega used different reference numbers for the same watch sold in different countries.

Hope this helps,
gatorcpa
 
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