Inherited my first Omega - any details much appreciated

M

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mijib

·Jun 26, 2023

Hi there fellow Omega enthusiasts,

I recently inherited my first Omega watch from my late 105 year old Grandpa! Not many details to go on as it's without papers / box. Understand that this would be much easier with a picture of the movement / back casing off so will try and get this to an independent watchmaker soon.

The dauphine hands to me suggest 1950's. Crown is unsigned so may give a hint to earlier, or a replacement at some point throughout the years. Fixo strap although this doesn't have the standard 'FIXO-FLEX' markings on the inside of the strap. Case looks to be steel, and hints of gold plating on the crown at one stage (not very clear in the photos). Keeps time well.

Any help much appreciated in identifying the model / authenticity. Plus any suggestions on what to do with it!

 

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DON

·Jun 26, 2023

50's. You don't list case diameter (without crown), but could be a 30 mm caliber.

Crown not original, but replacement can be bought from any parts supplier

Not every model has a name. What you do with it is your choice

Get it serviced, new crown, crystal, leather strap and wear it

Put it on Ebay and sell it

 

M

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mijib

·Jun 26, 2023

DON

50's. You don't list case diameter (without crown), but could be a 30 mm caliber.

Crown not original, but replacement can be bought from any parts supplier

Not every model has a name. What you do with it is your choice

Get it serviced, new crown, crystal, leather strap and wear it

Put it on Ebay and sell it

Thanks DON - managed to get the case back off so have taken a couple of snaps in case this sheds any more light.

Case diameter measures 34mm.

This holds a great deal of sentimental value so will definitely be keeping! Annoyingly there is a scratch over the 8 so any suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.

[

Edited: Jun 27, 2023

 

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Bruce235

·Jun 26, 2023

Serial no. 1950
If the scratch is on the dial, there is nothing to be done. Touching it will just make it worse.
Have it serviced by a watchmaker, not Omega.
Clean the case, but no polishing. Change the crown to an Omega service crown or original if you can source one.
Polywatch the crystal.
I think it would look best on a dark brown leather strap.

 

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mijib

·Jun 29, 2023

Bruce235

Serial no. 1950
If the scratch is on the dial, there is nothing to be done. Touching it will just make it worse.
Have it serviced by a watchmaker, not Omega.
Clean the case, but no polishing. Change the crown to an Omega service crown or original if you can source one.
Polywatch the crystal.
I think it would look best on a dark brown leather strap.

Thanks a lot Bruce. A quick Q - I've done some digging RE straps. Looking at possibly updating this fixo to a more modern fixo (it seems 558 end link would be the right size) or a BOR bracelet. My question is, would these actually be compatible with this older case? I noticed when hunting that the models with these newer fixo/BOR bracelets have no holes in the lug...so wondered how they actually fit.

 

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Bruce235

·Jun 29, 2023

Fixes not endorsed here, chew on the lugs and pull out arm hairs. A BOR Would be good. The gold and gold filled lugs are generally not drilled through, just a divot on the inside, so the bracelet would fit the same.

 

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mijib

·Jun 29, 2023

Thanks again @Bruce235.

The lugs are 18mm width and I've seen a few nice BOR's around...everything RE the below one seems to check out authenticity wise - please correct me if there's anything that jumps out?

This is coming in around £240 on eBay as nothing jumping out in the for sale section here on OF:

 

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Bruce235

·Jun 29, 2023

I'm not a bracelet expert. Best you start a new thread and ask for help on the bracelet. Show your watch and reference # and intended bracelet.

 

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Bruce235

·Jun 29, 2023

You want to verify that it is big enough for your wrist.

 

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Dan S

·Jun 29, 2023

That watch is probably not made for a BoR. You can try, but no guarantees that any endlinks will fit well. The one you posted has straight endlinks, which won't work, because it is meant to fit flush against a watch with a straight edge between the lugs.

It's surprisingly tricky to find endlinks that work correctly for a given watch. Just to give you a sense, this thread has a list:
https://omegaforums.net/threads/case-bracelet-endpiece-list.81618/

If you can find a photo showing the same reference as your watch with a specific bracelet, that would be your best bet. Or you could use a generic BoR bracelet with a different type of straight end, like this modern Forstner
https://forstnerbands.com/products/the-forstner-beads-of-rice

Edited: Jun 29, 2023

 

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mijib

·Jul 4, 2023

Thanks @Bruce235 and @Dan S for the input regarding the bracelet. Dan - I came across that thread last week and it's very tricky. Especially given my case is Dennison and I'm not sure the correlation with official Omega case reference # to match with the correct bracelet reference #.

It's with an indie watchmakers for:

1. Movement service
2. Potentially a new crystal (watchmaker thought this looked like a service replacement as it's quite a high dome)
3. Laser welding of lug holes due to previous damage (waiting on the quote for this)

Leaving the case and dial as is and will likely go for a brown leather strap, but still on the hunt for a BoR as a dressier option too (which the watchmaker is also helping with)!

 

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TIMElyBehaviour

·Jul 4, 2023

From memory I think it’s a 30t2 movement as well.
The bracelet you showed belongs to a later model omega from the late 60’s -70’s

Just put it on a nice leather strap.