Inherited Watch

WJS · May 25, 2022

Hello,

I inherited an Omega watch that I know very little about. This watch belonged to my grandfather who owned a jewelry store in Indiana. I have owned this watch since the mid-1990's and it has sat in a gun safe since then. It appears to function - at least when I wind the watch the hands move. The bezel is detached. Any help with what this watch is and where I should go to get it repaired (I'm near Nashville, TN) would be appreciated. Thank you.

sleepyastronaut · May 25, 2022

Hello!

You have what's referred to as a bumper automatic. If you swing the bumper rotor to the other side and take a pic of what's beneath, we might see the caliber number of the movement.

This appears to be the Key of Geneva, No. 1 signifying a case made by Wenger.

https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/swisspdm.php#pdm5

This is the purity of the case; .750 x 24k possible = 18k gold.

I'm curious to see this mark up close if you can get a better photo:

Plug that serial number from the movement in here to get an approximate date of manufacture:

https://www.serial-number-decoder.com/omega/omega.htm

JimInOz · May 25, 2022

You have a solid gold cased Omega Gents watch from about 1945/1947.
The "bumper" automatic movement looks to be a caliber 28.10.
The hallmark (queen's head) is Swiss for 18 carat gold and the key symbol indicates that the case was produced for Omega by Ed Wenger SA of Geneva.

The dial has been refinished which was not unusual at the time, the hands and crown are not original to the watch and may have been replaced at a previous service.

Hopefully our US members can suggest a watchmaker to restore it for you.

TheGreekPhysique · May 25, 2022

sleepyastronaut
I'm curious to see this mark up close if you can get a better photo:

Looks like Helvetia hallmark

JimInOz · May 25, 2022

TheGreekPhysique
Looks like Helvetia hallmark

Correct, here's a good explanation of Swiss hallmarks, courtesy of David Boettcher.

Inherited Watch

WJS

sleepyastronaut

JimInOz

TheGreekPhysique

JimInOz

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