Inherited De Ville but blank back case .. ?

L LMatch

Oops, don’t know how the first photo appeared in there - and I can’t seem to delete it!

shaun hk

It looks very good to me, the details you need are on the inside of the caseback, so it will need to be opened to find reference numbers etc. Though I’m sure some of more knowledgeable members will be along soon to help.
Please get it serviced by a reputable watchmaker, who is experienced with vintage watches before wearing.
Oh, and even the box is quite lovely and actually valuable (though everyone has a different perspective on what valuable means.

MtV

Try "OPTIONS" at the bottom right of your post. Then click "EDIT", there you can delete your picture.

The DeVilles are not a ref I particularly follow, but what I can tell you is that the information you are looking for - reference number and possibly gold content - are inside of the caseback. It's a unishell case, though, which means opening it is a little more complicated. The crown and stem would be removed and the plexi, dial and movement will come out of the front. Should be easy for a watchmaker who deals with vintage watches. You could also ask him to remove the bracelet, as I believe between the lugs is where you'll find information regarding the gold content of the watch - it'll say "14K" there, for example. I don't see anything that makes me believe this is a fake, including the Omega box, although it is not specific to your DeVille.

/edit: Found a few pictures of one I used to have. Note the plain case back (which is correct), the „14K Gold“ between the lugs and the inside of the case back that reads KL6610 - that’s the reference. Yours might have a difference reference number, though.

shaun hk

It looks very good to me, the details you need are on the inside of the caseback, so it will need to be opened to find reference numbers etc. Though I’m sure some of more knowledgeable members will be along soon to help.
Please get it serviced by a reputable watchmaker, who is experienced with vintage watches before wearing.
Oh, and even the box is quite lovely and actually valuable (though everyone has a different perspective on what valuable means.

ConElPueblo

Hi and welcome on here.

Your husband's watch is most likely not a Swiss production case, but a locally produced one. This does not mean it is a fake.

Look closely at the case and see if you can find any hallmarks denoting gold content or other stamps - the one @MtV shows is a US production case and I would wager that yours is a UK one since the bracelet is a UK production 9 carat one. If it is a UK case, it may not have any hallmarks on the outside.

Here is an example of another one online, note that the reference number is shown in one of the pictures: https://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/2...ct-gold-omega-de-ville-automatic-mens-watch/#

Reference number 1665020. The "5" is denoting a UK production case. The similar Swiss reference would be 166020.

The non-Swiss origin (some snobbery here, sorry) makes the value somewhat lower compared to a Swiss one and if it is a 9 carat case as opposed to a 14 or 18 carat one that will hurt the value too. That is naturally of no consequence if it is an heirloom to keep and treasure - which I hope 😀

Best,
Troels.

L LMatch

...we now feel comfortable to take it to an Omega service centre to get it looked at...

ConElPueblo

@LMatch - may I suggest that you take on a qualified, non-service center watchmaker?

If you are so lucky as to live on the British Isles, there are a number of very competent watchmakers, who in my experience does an excellent job of preserving the history and originality of the watch whilst maintaining and restoring what is mechanically necessary.

I have only good things to say about Chris Nicholas, who is also active on this forum. I guarantee you that he will give you a much better understanding of what work is being done to the watch than an Omega service center ever will and will also take great care around it.

ConElPueblo

@LMatch - may I suggest that you take on a qualified, non-service center watchmaker?

If you are so lucky as to live on the British Isles, there are a number of very competent watchmakers, who in my experience does an excellent job of preserving the history and originality of the watch whilst maintaining and restoring what is mechanically necessary.

I have only good things to say about Chris Nicholas, who is also active on this forum. I guarantee you that he will give you a much better understanding of what work is being done to the watch than an Omega service center ever will and will also take great care around it.

DaveK

By the time stamps, you may have just missed this important advice from @ConElPueblo