Looking for some guidance, early 60’s ladies Omega Automatic

[nurseford25]

Hi all,
Several year ago my wife inherited her grandmothers watch. I’ve done quite a bit of research over the last few years and I would love to able to restore this for her 45th birthday next year for her to have an heirloom/dress watch.

the watch:
Omega Automatic
Model number 561.007
Caliber 671
Case size 23mm X 23mm
Dial size 20mm X 20mm
Lug width 18mm

Pics:


Obvious water corrosion. Movement runs as is but will need full service. Crystal has scratches but no cracks and if unable to find a replacement this one should clean up.

Now for the dial. It is suffering from significant water damage and I’ve searched hi and low for a replacement. Any good suggestions on where I might be able to source one?

I’m in the Southern California LA/Orange County area and I need some recommendations on a watchmaker who could take this on in a very economical way. Like watches I’ve found are around $400-$700.

pictures of like examples I was able to find:



Really I’m just looking for a little direction of who could do the work or who might be able to source parts. So any help is appreciated.
Thanks all.

 

[connieseamaster]

Unfortunately, dial restoration is anything but economical. I'd probably set up some search alerts on eBay for square Omega dials and wait for something to pop up. Restoring the original dial would likely double the service cost, and there are no guarantees it would be done well.

 

[nurseford25]

connieseamaster

Unfortunately, dial restoration is anything but economical. I'd probably set up some search alerts on eBay for square Omega dials and wait for something to pop up. Restoring the original dial would likely double the service cost, and there are no guarantees it would be done well.

Agreed. This has been my plan so far. We’ll see how the hunt goes.

 

[kyle L]

I believe I have the same model at home sitting in a parts bin...will let you know what I find later!

 

[nurseford25]

kyle L

I believe I have the same model at home sitting in a parts bin...will let you know what I find later!

oh man. Thanks Kyle. That would be super helpful!

 

[X350 XJR]

https://lsdials.com/

I used them 100s of times when I was in the business.

Edited: Oct 3, 2022

 

[kyle L]

Thought it was the same, but mine is a slightly different model - 161.014. This might be the men's version...case is 26mm x 26mm and the dial is 23mm x 23mm. Same movement and dial layout though!

I'd second norm and refinish it. I don't think it should be too much for a simple design.

 

[X350 XJR]

BTW - The photo I posted is a refinished dial.

 

[noless]

I'm not too familiar with this square case, but I am somewhat familiar with these 670 family movements, and I found the little axel that the rotor is on (670-1043 rotor bridge) seems to get loose easily, and the circular groove in the case back makes me wonder if yours has not and put a line into the caseback.

Now that I see the same circular groove in Kyle's example I start to wonder if its just a design of the caseback though.

In any case that part was surprisingly expensive to replace, but at the very least the replacement one that I received was no longer a brass part with a steel axel riveted in but a full steel part. So I suspect it may be more an issue for older pieces that have not been serviced and this part replaced in their life or it was replaced in later manufactured movements.

If your movement has the rotor wobble and if you can find a whole donor that does not have the rotor wobble, it might prove to be a slightly more economical choice depending on the cost of a dial refinish.

 

[nurseford25]

kyle L

Thought it was the same, but mine is a slightly different model - 161.014. This might be the men's version...case is 26mm x 26mm and the dial is 23mm x 23mm. Same movement and dial layout though!

I'd second norm and refinish it. I don't think it should be too much for a simple design.

so close! But yep I do believe from my digging that you have the men’s version. I really appreciate you checking!

 

[nurseford25]

X350 XJR

https://lsdials.com/

I used them 100s of times when I was in the business.

thats great. I’ll check them out. Probably for what I’m looking to do this would be a good option.

 

[sheepdoll]

Aha found this thread again. Google wanted to know if I am a robot.

I am thinking of swapping the movement on my square 20 micron 161-0014.
This is not something I would be likely to wear. I had considered offering the dial to the OP, but is is in worse shape and this is the gents variation.

Mostly I am thinking of using the movement as a loaner movement in the dynamic case, when the new dial and hands arrive. 671 movements do not seem to be as common as 681 movements though. Not sure why the calendars are so popular.

This is not a bad watch, and I hate to see these sorts of watches sold on GW for scrap, although a 20 micron case is unlikely to be scrapped. This does add to the comprehensive in my collection, which Is now somewhere between 25 and 30 omegas in various states of operation.

I do find it curious that it is what one does not have that quickens more than the stuff one has stuffed in and old cash box in the sock drawer.

-j

 

[nurseford25]

sheepdoll

Aha found this thread again. Google wanted to know if I am a robot.

I am thinking of swapping the movement on my square 20 micron 161-0014.
This is not something I would be likely to wear. I had considered offering the dial to the OP, but is is in worse shape and this is the gents variation.

Mostly I am thinking of using the movement as a loaner movement in the dynamic case, when the new dial and hands arrive. 671 movements do not seem to be as common as 681 movements though. Not sure why the calendars are so popular.

This is not a bad watch, and I hate to see these sorts of watches sold on GW for scrap, although a 20 micron case is unlikely to be scrapped. This does add to the comprehensive in my collection, which Is now somewhere between 25 and 30 omegas in various states of operation.

I do find it curious that it is what one does not have that quickens more than the stuff one has stuffed in and old cash box in the sock drawer.

-j

Another one that’s so close but not quite the same. Thanks for checking in your stash.