Looking for advice. Watch with sentimental value.

Hello.

I’m Chris, 45 and based in Belfast Northern Ireland. I am looking for some advice on a watch which was given to me after my Grandfather passed away 20 years ago. Not looking to sell or concerned about value but would love to get some input from this community of watch lovers.

From the serial number 19735316 it appears to be from 1962, with a type 610 17 jewel movement.

Face has no model type written on it, single plain hour markers and date function. The Omega logo and date window appear to be gold coloured, it is difficult to tell if the hour markers are gold or silver.

The strap is stainless, expandable and has ‘made in England’, ‘resofi’ and ‘Edelstahl’ written on it.

Yes, I know the watch is dirty!! This is it untouched and just opened up for the first time in xx years!

What I’d like help from you guys to know is..

What is the model name of this watch?

What would the original strap have looked like?

What work do you think needs done to the watch before I would start wearing it? I would like this watch to still be working in another 59 years.

I am in Belfast, but happy to mail the watch to a reputable watch shop. My only experience with our local Belfast official Omega reseller was an £80 bill for a battery replacement for my 2008 Seamaster, I felt violated! So recommendations welcomed. I don’t mind spending a bit on a service, face cleanup, new strap etc., but I also don’t have endless money (unfortunately) to burn on a watch that I know is not overly valuable - and would prefer to support a watchsmith who is no frills and hard working because they love the timepieces - rather than the flashy ‘can I get you another decaf soy latte’ type.

Thanks for any and all help and advice.

Will update if and when I get work done on the watch.

Chris

Hi, Chris. You refer to a "face cleanup", but that's the one thing that doesn't/shouldn't really happen. Ask your WM to give your watch an ultrasonic bath - the bodywork needs it, and you will find a cleaned cal 610 movement (ask for photos) is an absolute gem to behold - much overlooked because it's often in the less spectacular models. Keep the bracelet because your granda wore it, but imho the watch will be happier on leather. The original strap would not have been particularly interesting, so I'd just let your own tastes be your guide. Wear in good health!

For a change a really nice request (for a change) for advice with pictures and a backdrop story. What a treasure for you to enjoy. Lots of good advice above. Good luck and wear this in good health.

[Thread drifter that I am...]

On a totally different tangent... Chris, please preserve that handwritten note, it's absolutely priceless (love her handwriting!) It's written in ballpoint, from what I can tell, and those inks can fade pretty quickly, so please keep it out of the light. It's perfect for storytelling and the "provenance" for this watch when it's time for you to pass it on to the next generation. If it were mine, I'd sandwich it between a couple of sheets of acid-free art paper, which is easy enough to find.