My first cursive Genève (2903-2 from 1956)

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Nupero

·Mar 26, 2022

Greetings!

I wanted to share my first old Genève as I think it’s quite lovely and at the moment it’s definitely in the upper echelon of my modest collection (unless OF declares it a redial or a franken…)

I’ve had my eye on a cursive Genève for a few months. A week ago I found this 2903-2 / caliber 267 for sale and I was instantly intrigued as I have a thing for steel watches with gold hardware. It was priced at 500 USD. Seemed like a fair price to me so I pulled the trigger.

And here it is! Service crown but the case and dial are pretty well preserved with even patina. Overall appearance is very classy and very 1950s. Oh, and if anyone has had any luck hunting down an original Omega crown for this reference, please let me know!

Movement looks clean but runs fast. More work for my watchmaker.

That dial 🥰

 

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gatorcpa

·Mar 26, 2022·ΩF InvestiGator

A Drew Carey Special!

Nice score.
gatorcpa

 

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Hnansen

·Mar 26, 2022

Lovely! Big congrats. I have owned a couple of these as well. Shouldn’t have let this one go.. 😀

 

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gbesq

·Mar 26, 2022

Even with the incorrect crown, $500 is a huge bargain for one of these, especially with an unpolished case and a dial in good condition. I think that the small seconds subdial versions are seen less frequently than the crosshair subdial that is more common, so nice score! Mine says hello.

 

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Nupero

·Mar 26, 2022

gbesq

Even with the incorrect crown, $500 is a huge bargain for one of these, especially with an unpolished case and a dial in good condition. I think that the small seconds subdial versions are seen less frequently than the crosshair subdial that is more common, so nice score! Mine says hello.

Thanks! And a lovely watch!

Yes, I've also read that sunken small seconds version is uncommon. I think it adds a nice subtle element to the dial.

 

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__ryan__

·Mar 26, 2022

That’s a beauty. Well done 👍

 

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Franzjoni

·Mar 26, 2022

Wonderful watch! Thanks for showing!

 

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cicindela

·Mar 26, 2022·Steve @ ΩF

You did well for your self. Nice to see members move on up the ranks 👍👍

 

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Watch Later

·Mar 26, 2022

So nice. Congrats!

 

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sonicosa

·Mar 26, 2022

Terrific watch, congrats and enjoy!

 

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Nupero

·Mar 26, 2022

sonicosa

Terrific watch, congrats and enjoy!

Thanks! I will most certainly enjoy 😀 I really like watches from the 1950s (who doesn't?) but finding nice examples without radium is always a challenge. Old Genèves seem to be different as most variants have no lume. And that's pretty cool if you ask me!

 

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gbesq

·Mar 26, 2022

I wouldn’t avoid 1950s watches because of radium lume. You’ll be missing out on some of Omega’s most collectible and beautiful references. Radium lume isn’t a big deal unless you plan on inhaling or ingesting your watch dial and hands. Here are a few of my 1950s favorites from my collection.

 

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Nupero

·Mar 26, 2022

gbesq

I wouldn’t avoid 1950s watches because of radium lume. You’ll be missing out on some of Omega’s most collectible and beautiful references. Radium lume isn’t a big deal unless you plan on inhaling or ingesting your watch dial and hands.

Yeah, it sucks to miss out on those lovely watches 🙁 But I believe radium can be dangerous, so collecting these references is not for me. No, I wouldn't lick the dial or inhale radium, but I would for sure be inhaling it's decay product radon. That is undeniable. Quote from the famous radium/radon study:

"Dr Crockett said: “These results show that the radon emitted from individual watches can potentially pose a serious cancer risk."
The authors, Dr Robin Crockett, University of Northampton, and Professor Gavin Gillmore, Kingston University, warn these levels are high enough to be dangerous even in much larger spaces, such as whole houses."

Different people have different priorities and unique risk tolerances - there are no right or wrong choices. And luckily for me, there's still a gargantuan amount of lovely no-lume/tritium references out there 😀

 

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gbesq

·Mar 26, 2022

I have radon detectors in my home and a Geiger counter that I use to check my radium dialed watches (I only have a few). Neither have ever shown what would be considered anything more than normal background radiation in my home. If I had 50 radium dialed watches, perhaps the results would be different. I understand your concern, but I consider getting into my car every day a far greater health hazard than my Omega Ranchero.

 

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LesXL

·Mar 27, 2022

Congrats on your gorgeous watch! Great bargain indeed. Mine says hello (not as nice as yours but I'm very pleased with my bargain too)

 

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Nupero

·Mar 27, 2022

Thanks all for compliments! 😀 Here's an obligatory wrist shot:

 

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Waltesefalcon

·Mar 28, 2022

That's an excellent example at an excellent price, you did really well on this one. That dial is really stunning!

 

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Fleur_the_rabbit

·Mar 28, 2022

It looks lovely to me! Well done.

 

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Nupero

·May 20, 2022

Update!

The biggest flaw with the watch was that it had an generic replacement crown. Luckily watchmaker was able to find an Omega crown my Genève. Now this vintage beauty is complete.

Truly an elegant watch 😀

 

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LesXL

·May 20, 2022

Nupero

Update!

The biggest flaw with the watch was that it had an generic replacement crown. Luckily watchmaker was able to find an Omega crown my Genève. Now this vintage beauty is complete.

Truly an elegant watch 😀

Gorgeous one Indeed!