Is it real? Does anyone know any thing about this watch?

Vloothuis · Aug 14, 2023

Good day to you everyone,
My uncle knows I love watches and recently was kind enough to give me this watch as wanted to keep it in the family (he is sick) for when he dies. He took it to his expert in Italy (where he lives) and he could not give him any information about the watch, type, year or even if it’s real.
I would love it to be real and part of me is trying to convince myself it is, any advice or guidance would be awesome. Case looks to shiny for its potential age, but crystal does not look perfect so makes me think old… Not interested in value if it is real as would just like to keep it if that makes sense, but be good to know any history or if real etc.

speedmasterless · Aug 14, 2023

Hello, new member here. As a beginner Omega enthusiast, i could say that the watch has high probability of its being real based on what i found on the internet using image search (movement of Omega circa 1910-1920, but i will pick close to 1910 because of the sub-second location). But usually even on 1910 Omega still has the serial number engraved at the case back, which was not found in this case. I would say that the case has been refinished, but the dial and movement are period-accurate. Here are some pictures to back my claim. I hope this helps you.

Dan S · Aug 14, 2023

It appears to be a converted Omega pocket watch movement in a custom (non-Omega) case with a poorly repainted dial. So for all intents and purposes, only the movement is real.

alalalalongines · Aug 15, 2023

It is a real watch in the sense that it is not an artificially or (non-artificially) created image. It probably exists as an object of reality.

But it did not leave the omega factory in this condition. It is a marriage, a pocket watch movement (original omega as far as i can tell) that was put in a wristwatch case. The dial is not produced by omega and it looks very amateurish. All the shown examples above are made in the same way.

It keeps time. But apart from this the value is low.
I would not buy this if i was looking for an omega watch.

JimInOz · Aug 15, 2023

The OPs watch is a re-cased/re-purposed Omega Lépine movement in a modern case.
The dial appears to be hand engraved to resemble one from the early 20th century.
As noted, the movement is original Omega, nothing else is.

JimInOz · Aug 15, 2023

speedmasterless
Hello, new member here. As a beginner Omega enthusiast, i could say that the watch has high probability of its being real based on what i found on the internet using image search (movement of Omega circa 1910-1920, but i will pick close to 1910 because of the sub-second location). But usually even on 1910 Omega still has the serial number engraved at the case back, which was not found in this case. I would say that the case has been refinished, but the dial and movement are period-accurate. Here are some pictures to back my claim. I hope this helps you.

The first four pictures you posted are fanciful creations known as marriage watches, some of which, prior to the current unpleasantness around the Black Sea, were produced in quantity in Ukraine.

Without more detailed pictures of the others it's impossible to say they are all genuine/original Omega.

Vloothuis · Aug 15, 2023

Thank you everyone for your time and effort helping me with this I really do appreciate it. Very kind of you.
Now I’m looking at other watches he kindly gave me which includes two swatch watches . Thank you again. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day

Syrte · Aug 16, 2023

Welcome to the forum,
we all agree this is a converted pocket watch.
However it looks to me like the conversion took place a long time ago (I’ve previously seen conversions which appeared to be from the 1930s’or 1940s) and I will respectfully dissent on aesthetics.

The case is worn and so is the dial; but I actually like this redone dial, the numerals have that lovely curl of the 1920s, I see no terribly blotchy script or shoddy lines crossing one another.
To me this has some vintage charm completely unlike the horrid marriage watch @speedmasterless posted.

So we agree the collectible value is negligible; but as an heirloom from a beloved uncle, if it were me I would enjoy it wholeheartedly.

JimInOz · Aug 16, 2023

Syrte
Welcome to the forum,
we all agree this is a converted pocket watch.
However it looks to me like the conversion took place a long time ago (I’ve previously seen conversions which appeared to be from the 1930s’or 1940s) and I will respectfully dissent on aesthetics.

The case is worn and so is the dial; but I actually like this redone dial, the numerals have that lovely curl of the 1920s, I see no terribly blotchy script or shoddy lines crossing one another.
To me this has some vintage charm completely unlike the horrid marriage watch @speedmasterless posted.

So we agree the collectible value is negligible; but as an heirloom from a beloved uncle, if it were me I would enjoy it wholeheartedly.

I agree. It has a certain charm about it.
I don't know if the dial is silver or "silvered", but the engraving, while not up to Patek or Vacheron standards, has a hint of professionalism.
The only thing I would change is the out of place "flieger" style crown. A nice pumpkin or onion style crown would suit the watch much better.

Perrier · Aug 16, 2023

If this watch really was converted from a pocket watch, and redialled, 100 years ago, that is a fabulous story and adds to its charm. It means someone loved the pocket watch, and wanted to give it a new life. A lot of skill was required to complete the job.

It's possible, 100 years ago, someone inherited this watch from his grandfather, but didn't want an old fashioned pocket watch, yet wanted to give it a new life. And here it is 100 years later.

I'd keep it and enjoy it.

Vloothuis · Aug 16, 2023

So I have been talking to my uncle and letting him know everything you have all mentioned. He told me that my great grandfather was apparently a bit of a watch addict and loved to try fix watches etc. I did not know this. It’s amazing about all stories you start to find out and I will certainly treasure it. My uncle has kindly given me two more watches. I can’t believe how lucky I am. One an old zenith and another old girard pirragaux, I opened that up last night and weirdest thing. It has my daughter’s birthdate written on the inside!!! Very odd, not sure what chances of that are!!! Anyone know why someone may have written a date on inside ? My uncle did not know.

Vloothuis · Aug 16, 2023

Photos attached if anyone did know what I mean

Dan S · Aug 16, 2023

V Vloothuis
So I have been talking to my uncle and letting him know everything you have all mentioned. He told me that my great grandfather was apparently a bit of a watch addict and loved to try fix watches etc. I did not know this. It’s amazing about all stories you start to find out and I will certainly treasure it. My uncle has kindly given me two more watches. I can’t believe how lucky I am. One an old zenith and another old girard pirragaux, I opened that up last night and weirdest thing. It has my daughter’s birthdate written on the inside!!! Very odd, not sure what chances of that are!!! Anyone know why someone may have written a date on inside ? My uncle did not know.

A date on the inside can be a mark from a watchmaker denoting a movement service or repair.

Vloothuis · Aug 16, 2023

Thank you. I hope you have a great day

Foo2rama · Aug 16, 2023

speedmasterless
Hello, new member here. As a beginner Omega enthusiast, i could say that the watch has high probability of its being real based on what i found on the internet using image search (movement of Omega circa 1910-1920, but i will pick close to 1910 because of the sub-second location). But usually even on 1910 Omega still has the serial number engraved at the case back, which was not found in this case. I would say that the case has been refinished, but the dial and movement are period-accurate. Here are some pictures to back my claim. I hope this helps you.

If you where playing D & D you just rolled a 1 which is a critical fail.

You are pretty much wrong on everything you said. Stick around and learn though a love for watches is a great start.

SOG53 · Aug 16, 2023

V Vloothuis
So I have been talking to my uncle and letting him know everything you have all mentioned. He told me that my great grandfather was apparently a bit of a watch addict and loved to try fix watches etc. I did not know this. It’s amazing about all stories you start to find out and I will certainly treasure it. My uncle has kindly given me two more watches. I can’t believe how lucky I am. One an old zenith and another old girard pirragaux, I opened that up last night and weirdest thing. It has my daughter’s birthdate written on the inside!!! Very odd, not sure what chances of that are!!! Anyone know why someone may have written a date on inside ? My uncle did not know.

While the reason for a date is known (watchmakers usually do that when they service) , the significance of this date being your daughters birthday is entirely up to you and your daughter- in any case this is a fun detail of a family heirloom and I would have it serviced (but not restored or polished) and wear and enjoy it!

Is it real? Does anyone know any thing about this watch?

Vloothuis

speedmasterless

Dan S

alalalalongines

JimInOz

JimInOz

Vloothuis

Syrte

JimInOz

Perrier

Vloothuis

Vloothuis

Dan S

Vloothuis

Foo2rama

SOG53

Similar threads

Omega Calavatra 1947, 11153397 Does anyone know anything about this watch/era of watches?

Any one tell me any thing about this vintage Omega

Can anyone tell me anything about this watch my father left me? And some advice.

Does anyone know any good source for vintage omega parts?

Speedmaster strap snoopy any one now any thing aBOUT THIS

Does anyone know what vintage Omega this is?