Learn more about Grandfather’s 1943 Omega

Grandfather’s 1943 Omega

I’d like to share the story behind my Omega watch. I inherited this watch from my grandfather, who is now 97 years old. He and his twin brother each received the same watch from their father on their 18th birthday.

The watches were purchased in response to the so-called "Gutt Law," a strict monetary currency reform operation during World War II aimed at combating inflation in Belgium. This law laid the foundation for the post-war economic recovery, but it was also a harsh measure, leading many people to lose part of their savings. However, there was a loophole in the law: people spend their money on luxury goods like expensive watches and jewelry in the hope of escaping the currency reform.

Last year, the watch came into my possession when my grandfather gave it to me. Over the years, the watch had stopped working, and it no longer kept time. There’s a dent on the side of the gold case, and the various elements have done their job for 82 years. As a result, it’s not immediately clear to a layperson (like me) that it’s an Omega watch.

As a child, I saw the watch often and was fascinated by it. It holds immense emotional value for me and brings back memories of the years I spent with my grandparents. It was a special experience to hold the watch again after so many years.

I decided to have it fully restored and took it to a well-known jeweler. After an initial inspection, he confirmed that it was indeed a vintage Omega. The watch was then sent to Omega in Switzerland to prepare a restoration plan.

Due to the age of the watch and the dent in the gold case, Omega decided not to proceed with the restoration. After four months, I received the watch back in its dilapidated condition.

Determined to have the watch restored, I turned to a passionate watchmaker who continues the legacy of three generations of horologists. He has been trained by prestigious Swiss watch brands such as Omega, Breitling, IWC, and Jaeger-LeCoultre. After a meeting and drawing up a restoration plan, I entrusted him and his team with the task of restoring the watch.

The restoration covers three main areas:

• The movement
• The deformed gold case
• The restoration of the dial

The latest feedback I received provided the following specifications for the watch:

• Caliber number: 260
• 15 jewels
• Technical data: 30T2PC
• Year of manufacture: 1943

I’d love to learn more about this type of watch, such as what model it is, how many are still in circulation, and anything else I can find out.
So far, I haven’t been able to find much information online, and I hope the Omega forum can help me learn more.

PS: Apologies for the poor quality of the photos. As soon as I get the watch back, I will post new photos.😊

Thanks in advance!

Kind regards,

Welcome, and what a wonderful story. It's great to hear about your attachment to the watch.

Thank you for the explanation and the time you took for that. It brings me one step closer to understanding what the watch exactly is. 🙏

Thank you! It even becomes more beautiful with a story behind it. It turns the watch into a conversation piece. 😋