Hi!

My grandfather passed away recently, and my grandmother wanted me to have his old Omega. She couldn't tell me anything about it except it was a very expensive watch for a cab driver to buy back in the day. It was a dear possession to him. Would love to have it fixed up and wear it for special occasions. I think it's a beautiful and simple watch, and i like it a lot!

It seems to be in quite good shape, except for two small broken links in the chain and scratches on the glass. It started running as soon as i picked it out of the box and shook it a little And it's in need of a good cleaning i guess

I would like to know if this is a watch that is worth putting some money into getting in tip top condition, or if i should just keep it as is. If it has any real value i would like to make shure it keeps well for my kids one day. If it has no particular value, I'll clean it up and wear it for my own pleasure

Can anyone tell me the exact model, year, style, carat and maybe value?

You can see the two cracked links on different pictures. One on the top on the left side on the face picture, and the gap on the picture from the side.

Hope you guys can help me out

Best regards,
Carl

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Wooow those pictures turned out big! And I typoed the model.. Great start Carl, great start

 

Hi Carl.

To be more specific, it's a 168.017 with a caliber 564 from the mid to late 60's. I see the sunburst pattern is still on the bezel - that's very good. The date should change if you pull / push the crown in & out. Yes, have it cleaned / oiled / adjusted, and the crystal polished (don't change it!)

If it's solid gold it's 18ct. Don't know of many 14ct C-cased Constellations if any. The hallmarks will be inside the case back and on the clasp of the bracelet.

 

The only thing i could find on the clasp, was the number "583". And yes, the date changed perfectly! It seems mechanically in good shape. Very neat and easy to adjust time and date.

Would you have any idea of a value? And would it be worth getting the links fixed as well?

 

I live in Oslo, Norway I'll be very very impressed if anyone has intimate knowledge of a good watchmaker here

 

If it's solid gold it's definitely worth getting the bracelet fixed. Basing this on being an all 18ct watch it's easily a $4000 piece even in the raw condition it is now. Properly repaired and restored, it would sell for $5000 at the minimum due to the value of the gold in it. It's got at least $3200 of scrap value in total depending on how much the bracelet weighs.

I'd say it's worth getting fixed no matter what since it's an heirloom.

 

+1

 

+2

 

+3

 

+ 1 billion. Mwah ha ha ha....

 

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+4

Well, slapp me silly... i had no idea it would be worth that! I was thinking somewhere around 500-1000$ and if it was worth 1000$ i would fix it, if it was worth 500 i would just clean it. That value really took me by surprise.. holy shit. My grandpa used to wear it every day.

Now i am absolutely getting it fixed and in top shape. Might not even dare to wear it, save for the most special occasions!

This is really awesome! You always see the importance of "The heirloom watch" in movies or in books, but I never felt it before. Now i do. It's already 50 years old, and when i give it to my son or grandson one day it's gonna be 100 years or more That's a very cool thing

Thanx for the info!

 

Nice to see you're keeping it with you
Wait until someone recommend you a good watchmaker in your area. By now take in mind that you shouldn't polish the case, as all this marks are part of your grandpa history. And of course don't touch the dial.

 

When you take it to a watchmaker, check to see if the inside of the case back shows the 18ct (.750) marking. If it does, get it straightened out but don't let them polish the edges off the case or the sunburst pattern off the bezel.

 

Congratulations Carl. This is a really nice story.

We get so many people come along and say "My Grandad has finally kicked the bucket and all I got was this watch. How much can I sell it for?" It is great to see someone who was planning to keep the watch anyway and with this attitude, I am genuinely pleased for you to find out that it is potentially something special.

Just remember to raise a glass to your Grandad on those special occasions when you do wear it and perhaps buy your Gran some flowers to say "thank you".