My first Vintage Omega - what should I expect?

Rhett · Mar 3, 2022

Hello Good People - I have just received this my first Vintage Omega. It is a 1973 Geneve reference 166.0168 with Calc 1012. I am a newbie in all of this, so argh, I have much learning to do. Can anyone provide a link to the once upon a time operating instructions? How does it actually work? Do I still need to wind it a bit? How often? What ought to be the power reserve? Appreciate any advice. Thanks People. Regards from Rhett in Brisbane Australia.

SkunkPrince · Mar 3, 2022

If you set it down and it stops, then you have to wind it. The date is "quick set", which likely means you pull the crown a bit extra to get the date to change, but don't be yanking on that thing hard. It'll run from a full wind at least 36 hours and likely more than that.

Other than that, keep it dry and don't drop it and you should be fine. I wear watches to bed but you shouldn't have to unless you really want to.

Enjoy!

Rhett · Mar 3, 2022

Syzygy · Mar 3, 2022

Congrats on the purchase Rhett. I can help with a couple of your questions, but if you just try a few things out, you'll be able to figure out the rest.
Setting the date, pull the crown out. It may have an two position that allows a quick set (I'm not familiar with this reference to know for sure). It may also have a quick set feature where you advance the hour hand to 3 and back to 9, and back to 3...if the date clicks forward, you've figured out the quick set function...if it does not, around the hours you go and every 2nd pass of 12 will advance the date.
Automatic movements have a clutch, so you can't over wind. If you want to test the power reserve (should be anywhere from 24hr minimum up to 36 or 48hrs), give it a full wind (60-80 turns of the crown), set the time to midnight and set it on the nightstand until it runs out of charge...then you'll know for sure. If wearing it, you can get away with 20 or so winds and the auto will take over as you move around for the day.

Hope this helps, and wear it in good health!

Rhett · Mar 3, 2022

SkunkPrince
If you set it down and it stops, then you have to wind it. The date is "quick set", which likely means you pull the crown a bit extra to get the date to change, but don't be yanking on that thing hard. It'll run from a full wind at least 36 hours and likely more than that.

Other than that, keep it dry and don't drop it and you should be fine. I wear watches to bed but you shouldn't have to unless you really want to.

Enjoy!

Rhett · Mar 3, 2022

Thanks @Syzygy, great advice. I purchased on Chrono24 (sorry guys!) and the $ is still in the escrow so just wanting to be safe not sorry. Yes, it does have quick set for the date.

Oh, and @SkunkPrince, thanks for your advice too. Now that I am getting older I know to not yank on things too hard the way that I might once have, if you know what I mean, cue the chuckle.

Spruce · Mar 3, 2022

Rhett
Thanks @Syzygy, great advice. I purchased on Chrono24 (sorry guys!) and the $ is still in the escrow so just wanting to be safe not sorry. Yes, it does have quick set for the date.

Oh, and @SkunkPrince, thanks for your advice too. Now that I am getting older I know to not yank on things too hard the way that I might once have, if you know what I mean, cue the chuckle.

I never yank either - just insert a finger nail or thumb nail.

Yours looks like a lovely watch in very nice condition. Well done.

My first Vintage Omega - what should I expect?

Rhett

SkunkPrince

Rhett

Syzygy

Rhett

Rhett

Spruce

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