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Inherited an Square Faced Vintage Omega

R
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Hi I'm a newbie who has been lucky enough to inherit an Omega. Sentimentally the watch was worn regularly by my uncle, but looks like he changed the original strap for this fixoflex strap when he got older. I think with the right strap this would be a lovely watch. The watch is working and is keeping time but I have no idea if it has (ever) been serviced or cleaned.

What can anyone tell me about it? and what would the right strap be for it? and where should I take it to bring it back to its glory!

thanks
 
3.png 1.jpg
Syzygy
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@Revolver, welcome to the library!

The information you need to dive in to the details will be noted on the inside of the case. I'm not familiar with this specific piece, which I like, but it looks like a snap back case, so if you are confident, carefully open the back, and take note of the movement number and the reference number stamped on the inside of the case back. That'll get you started.

With vintage pieces, most everyone here will say "DO NOT SEND TO OMEGA" for service....they'll refurbish it, and basically take all the character it's grown with age away.

Let us know where you are located on the globe and you'll likely receive some feedback about independent watchmakers with an Omega account (for parts) in your region.
 
R
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Syzygy Syzygy
@Revolver, welcome to the library!

The information you need to dive in to the details will be noted on the inside of the case. I'm not familiar with this specific piece, which I like, but it looks like a snap back case, so if you are confident, carefully open the back, and take note of the movement number and the reference number stamped on the inside of the case back. That'll get you started.

With vintage pieces, most everyone here will say "DO NOT SEND TO OMEGA" for service....they'll refurbish it, and basically take all the character it's grown with age away.

Let us know where you are located on the globe and you'll likely receive some feedback about independent watchmakers with an Omega account (for parts) in your region.

Thanks for that Syzygy, I'm not confident in opening it so I'll find an independent - I'm in the UK
 
mac_omega
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Welcome to the forum.

This is a nice watch design but be aware that it is known as a "scuff-killer" of shirts due to its sharp corners. Better to only wear it with t-shirts...
 
R
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mac_omega mac_omega
Welcome to the forum.

This is a nice watch design but be aware that it is known as a "scuff-killer" of shirts due to its sharp corners. Better to only wear it with t-shirts...
Thanks Mac, My uncle would have loved that!
 
Tire-comedon
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Probably a R17.8 inside, but I need pics of the caliber and inside caseback infos to be able to give more informations. I would also like a better pic of the dial, if you have it open by a watchmaker, he will remove the upper part with the crystal, take the opportunity to photograph it.
 
JimInOz
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As @Tire-comedon noted, the movement and caseback can be separated from the case so you can get a good photograph of the dial.
Like this.

Uncased.png


The Movement/dial can then be lifted out of the caseback so you can get shots of the serial number on the movement and the reference number inside the caseback.
 
JimInOz
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And make sure your watchmaker does NOT do this!

UncasedBadly.jpg
 
DON
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Nice hidden lug case design. Sharp points seem worn enough. Maybe sharp when new.

I think a nice lizard skin band would dress it up. All black leather or semi-matte gator

Not thick. 3 mm with a taper
 
Tire-comedon
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Thanks,
Cal 23.4 inside, which makes it more interesting in my opinion. There are much less watches with the non central second 23.4 than square or rectangular R17.8.
The dial font and logo look OK to me, even if the minute hand across them made assessment more challenging. I would say the dial is original, which is a good point of course. Same for the hands, they are in line with the period of production of the watch.
A 9.9 million serial for the case dates the watch from around 1941-42 (even if the caliber can have been manufactured earlier, we should date the watch by the case serial).
It is probably quite small (25-26mm wide?) and could be a women’s model. I will look through my catalogs to see if I can find this model.
 
R
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Tire-comedon Tire-comedon
Thanks,
Cal 23.4 inside, which makes it more interesting in my opinion. There are much less watches with the non central second 23.4 than square or rectangular R17.8.
The dial font and logo look OK to me, even if the minute hand across them made assessment more challenging. I would say the dial is original, which is a good point of course. Same for the hands, they are in line with the period of production of the watch.
A 9.9 million serial for the case dates the watch from around 1941-42 (even if the caliber can have been manufactured earlier, we should date the watch by the case serial).
It is probably quite small (25-26mm wide?) and could be a women’s model. I will look through my catalogs to see if I can find this model.
Thank you - Yes it is 26mm square. here's a better photo without the minute hand in the way
 
IMG-4025.jpg
R
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fantastic really appreciate your help @Tire-comedon - the case looks like an exact match with mine having roman numerals on the face and an independent second hand dial.
 
Tire-comedon
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The catalog says (in French) that this model was 'delivered with small second unless otherwise requested by the customer'. There were dial and hands variations for one same model, so the fact that your watch has a small second, roman numerals and thin straight hands vs the catalog showing no sub-second, roman and feather hands is nothing to worry about. 😀
 
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