Inherited an Omega

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Scottish71

·Jan 23, 2020

Hello, I recently inherited this Omega watch that was my Grandmother's or G-Grandmother's. It's been in an envelope for decades. I would like to know how old it is and it's possible value. I haven't tried to open the back, not sure if it screws off? Thank you in advance for any information you can provide!

 

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Scottish71

·Jan 23, 2020

More pics...

 

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Scottish71

·Jan 23, 2020

Last

 

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padders

·Jan 23, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

Age? At a guess 1950s-60s

If I am reading those marks right, it is gold filled so there is no intrinsic metal value. That is a shame since ladies cocktail watches like these are generally worth scrap gold value. Minus that you are left with something that might cost £200 to get working properly and then fetch maybe £100. Not economically viable unfortunately, in essence it is worth nothing. Sorry!

 

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Canuck

·Jan 23, 2020

It would be worth your while to have a watch repairer open the case and read the stampings inside. Your pictures are (May I say) very poor. Out of focus, low resolution, poorly lit (too much glare). But I am going to say that it looks to me as though it might be a model from a series Omega called Sapphette. These had faceted synthetic sapphire crystals and karat gold cases (usually 14-karat in North America, or 18-karat for much of Europe). The bracelet appears to me to be a gold plated aftermarket item which (IMO) is not original to the watch. The Sapphette series was around during the 1960s. Have it checked out and get back to us. This watch should be of more value to you than to anyone who might buy it. Typically, they trade for scrap gold value plus a bit if they run.

 

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X350 XJR

·Jan 23, 2020·Vintage Omega Aficionado

The back will pry off, looks like a tab to do so, the movement will probably be seated within the case back but should lift out. The markings for gold content and such will be inside the back. Take photos of the markings and movement, we can then give you a bit more information.

 

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Scottish71

·Jan 23, 2020

Sorry if there's some blur, I have to zoom in to read the markings

 

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Dan S

·Jan 23, 2020

Even with the 14k case, the value is mostly sentimental given the small amount of gold. If you sell it, you can pretty much guarantee it will be melted. So if you want to salvage it for historical reasons, perhaps you have a female relative who would appreciate it.

Edited: Jan 23, 2020

 

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padders

·Jan 23, 2020·Oooo subtitles!

The serial dates it to the early 1950s, circa 1953 maybe.

 

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Canuck

·Jan 23, 2020

The case is solid 14-karat gold. Bracelet gold plated, so of little value. A much better photo of the front of the watch might confirm the watch being a Sapphette. There were many different designs of Omega in this series. Your dilemma might be to decide to do nothing with it, sell it for what you can get (not much), or have it serviced keep it, and use it for best wear. The date estimate by @padders appears to be correct. Rather earlier than my original uneducated guess.

 

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w154

·Jan 23, 2020

Just to put some realistic number on for you. 14k gold trades at around £20/gram right now, and those small ladies cases normally sit somewhere in the range 2-3 grams. So melt value would be something like £40-60, or fractionally more if those “ball” lugs are heavier than the normal type.

 

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Canuck

·Jan 23, 2020

w154

Just to put some realistic number on for you. 14k gold trades at around £20/gram right now, and those small ladies cases normally sit somewhere in the range 2-3 grams. So melt value would be something like £40-60, or fractionally more if those “ball” lugs are heavier than the normal type.

That translates to about 50 to 75 U S dollars as scrap. Too nice a watch to dump at a price like that. Sell it, and a month later you won’t have the money OR the watch,

 

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JwRosenthal

·Jan 23, 2020

My lady wears a white gold version of this for dressier occasions- I had it serviced- she loves it despite it being too small to actually read- it’s more like a bracelet.

Yours probably came on a braided style leather loop strap- very elegant.

If you have a lady you know would want to wear it- it’s worth keeping it in the family.

 

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Canuck

·Jan 23, 2020

Two more versions of Sapphette models.

 

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Scottish71

·Jan 23, 2020

Thanks for all of the replies and information! It amazes me how they make these so small and detailed. When I took it out of the case it really glittered under the light, very well made, even though it's older and not working.

 

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JwRosenthal

·Jan 23, 2020

The dial is in good shape and the case would clean up with just a hand rub with a Cape Cod cloth. If you get it serviced and source a proper string style strap for it- it would make a lovely piece for any female in your family.

 

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Vitezi

·Jan 23, 2020

S Scottish71

Sorry if there's some blur, I have to zoom in to read the markings

The model number "5536" seen in the pictures of your watch corresponds to an example shown below, in a page from a 1955 catalog:

 

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JwRosenthal

·Jan 23, 2020

Many think of these as “old lady” watches but I know many millennials that have been sporting small vintage ladies watches (females- although with hipsters you never know), and find them endearing and retro-cool.

 

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Scottish71

·Jan 23, 2020

Very cool! I think the strap it has is very nice and like how it tapers, the thin string is very 50's though

 

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Canuck

·Jan 23, 2020

Other than a Rolex lady Datejust, all milady wears is styles like the subject watch.