Hello all, I inherited a watch yesterday, I think it has not been worn for a little while and is not working (I am too scared to fiddle with it too much) it is a bracelet watch and is too big for my wrist. I doubt it is worth too much and I really like it so have asked for some quotes on shortening (apparently not possible) and fixing and have been quoted between £30 & £500 So my questions... Do you agree that it cant be shortened, if so I am not sure it is worth fixing and if to fix it is more tan the watch is worth I am not sure how feasible that is, although I do like it (The only details I have is Omega De Ville the only markings that I can see clearly are 7.11. 1672 750 Thank you for your help.
The bracelet is very likely made of karat gold. The number you provided shows 750. That is likely18K (.750). A competent goldsmith would be able to shorten it. But before you spend the money to shorten the bracelet, make certain it runs. My guess is that it is quartz, and it likely requires a battery to make it run. Worth it? It looks to be in decent condition, and you say that you like it. You would need to look at the cost of shortening it, and the cost of servicing (if it doesn’t run). Whether to spend what you have to, or not, you will have to decide.
Swiss Time Services http://www.swisstimeservices.co.uk/ They have the equipment to shorten the bracelet, & bring the watch back to life Give them a call, & they will go through everything with you, first Good luck, & please bring it back to show us, when the job is done
I saw you inherited this, so it may have some sentimental value, but I would be willing to bet that the gold value is worth more than the watch.
Before you do anything, does it have sentimental value? Do you fondly remember a relative wearing it or has it never been seen before yesterday and it's not really something you would wear? It's just worth noting that the value is purely in the gold and so ideally it needs to be running and has a likelyhood of being worn before you put any significant cash into it. Obviously if it's a treasured heirloom the cost is irrelevant.
Thank you for your responses, I took the watch to my local jeweler who is going to put a new battery in and give me a call, he advises not to shorten the straps? I couldn't sell it so hopefully I can get it to work. I will contact your suggestions regarding shortening the strap and let you know. Thanks
Very expensive to shorten that bracelet and absolutely not worth the money. As others have said, the value is in the gold as this is not a specially desirable watch. Personally I would sell it for scrap. I'm sure your deceased relative would rather you had money than a watch that's more of a liability than an asset.
Before you give up on the watch as a result of warnings about the expense of having the bracelet shortened, get an estimate. If you sell the watch for scrap, in a very short time you’ll be without the watch, and the money will be gone!
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