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My Grandfather's old watch, looking for info and advice.

mmight25
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Hello, I randomly found this discussion board, I'm very happy it exists. I was given my Grandpa's old watch when he passed a few years ago and within a year of having it I made the mistake of going to bed with it on. I woke up to the face popped of and the hands missing, for whatever reason I didn't think to find and keep the hands as the watch is more valuable with the original pieces. I'm looking for two things:

1. Can anyone tell me anything about this watch? I wasn't given anything but the watch, so I have no information about it.

2. In trying to get it repaired, what is your recommended approach? I was originally going to send it to Omega, until I read that they may replace the watch with parts that decrease the value.

Thank you for your time if you respond.
 
IMG_5623.jpg
Dan S
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Unfortunately, it's also missing four of the applied hour markers, including two of the numerals. I think it's also likely that the dial was restored/repainted at some point in the past. So all in all, your best bet is probably to try to find a replacement dial. If you could take photos of the inside, it would help us to provide more information.
 
Rado63
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It appears that the broken parts of the dial were removed, or lost when the crystal popped off. What to do with this watch depends on your goals. If you want to just have the watch to run then you probably need a service and you need some hands. If you want to replace the dial, then you also need another dial. If you want the case refreshed it may need the gold plating redone. Basically if you did all that work, the result is a rebuilt watch that will be different from the watch in the picture. Open up the back and see if there are markings inside the case back and get a photo of the movement. Post the photos here to see what members can tell you. Also find a vintage watch repair specialist and talk to them and send photos, and get an idea of what repairs could be done to the watch.
 
mmight25
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Rado63 Rado63
It appears that the broken parts of the dial were removed, or lost when the crystal popped off. What to do with this watch depends on your goals. If you want to just have the watch to run then you probably need a service and you need some hands. If you want to replace the dial, then you also need another dial. If you want the case refreshed it may need the gold plating redone. Basically if you did all that work, the result is a rebuilt watch that will be different from the watch in the picture. Open up the back and see if there are markings inside the case back and get a photo of the movement. Post the photos here to see what members can tell you. Also find a vintage watch repair specialist and talk to them and send photos, and get an idea of what repairs could be done to the watch.
Thank you!
 
mmight25
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Dan S Dan S
Unfortunately, it's also missing four of the applied hour markers, including two of the numerals. I think it's also likely that the dial was restored/repainted at some point in the past. So all in all, your best bet is probably to try to find a replacement dial. If you could take photos of the inside, it would help us to provide more information.
Thank you!
 
DON
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I would post your location and maybe someone could recommend a watchmaker near you

DON
 
DON
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mmight25 mmight25
I live in Atlanta, GA if you have any recommendations, was going to go here:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ermitage Jewelers/@33.8606795,-84.3424523,15.11z/data=!3m1!5s0x88f508969be3d8ff:0x635f35f6f0ef0faa!4m8!1m2!2m1!1svintage omega watch repair atlanta!3m4!1s0x88f50be8e52f5e8f:0x2a63ec989236dcf9!8m2!3d33.8611193!4d-84.3294566

Unless they have a qualified watchmaker on site. Don't ever take a watch to a jewellery store. They will just send it out and double the price.



Go the NAWCC site and search for a watchmaker in your area if no one responds with a name. If you find someone. Ask for an est. first and report back and someone will let you know if reasonable

https://www.nawcc.org

DON
Edited by a mod:
 
DaveK
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DON DON
Unless they have a qualified watchmaker on site. Don't ever take a watch to a jewellery store. They will just send it out and double the price.

Found this funny on their site - LGBTQ-friendly


DON

For context Don, if you ever tried to get wedding rings as a same-sex couple, a LGBTQ friendly jeweller would be a soothing experience (not my experience, but...)
 
Dan S
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We had a bakery here that refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple. A state agency stepped in, and the case ended up going all the way to the US Supreme Court. I don't see any problem with businesses letting customers know that they will be welcome.
 
DON
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One shouldn't need to advertise that. All customers should be treated the same regardless. Poor business if they don't

DON
 
mmight25
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DON DON
Unless they have a qualified watchmaker on site. Don't ever take a watch to a jewellery store. They will just send it out and double the price.



Go the NAWCC site and search for a watchmaker in your area if no one responds with a name. If you find someone. Ask for an est. first and report back and someone will let you know if reasonable

https://www.nawcc.org

DON
You're the man Don.
Edited by a mod:
 
SkunkPrince
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mmight25 mmight25
2. In trying to get it repaired, what is your recommended approach? I was originally going to send it to Omega, until I read that they may replace the watch with parts that decrease the value.
For this watch, the value is all sentimental. There isn't enough left other than a nice case and an unknown movement. I would encourage you to at least think about factory service. It's not for everyone, that is true, but it is a viable alternative.
 
X350 XJR
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DON DON
One shouldn't need to advertise that. All customers should be treated the same regardless. Poor business if they don't

DON

Unfortunately most of the southern part of the US is a couple decades behind much of the rest of the country in being LGBTQ accepting, so stating what should be the obvious is often necessary.
 
mmight25
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
For this watch, the value is all sentimental. There isn't enough left other than a nice case and an unknown movement. I would encourage you to at least think about factory service. It's not for everyone, that is true, but it is a viable alternative.
I literally don't know anything about this watch and I'm not about to pop the back off and mess anything up. Do you know what model this is or anything I can research about it?
 
wagudc
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mmight25 mmight25
I literally don't know anything about this watch and I'm not about to pop the back off and mess anything up. Do you know what model this is or anything I can research about it?

All the important identifying information is on the inside case back. It is very difficult to identify this watch from the exterior. In this era the same model was fitted with a variety of dials. I suspect that it is a bumper automatic from the early 50s. There is a rotating weight that winds the watch. Up until the mid 50s the watches were designed in such a way that the rotor could only rotate a partway and hit a stop on either end. You can feel the bump when it hits the end. See:
https://blog.watchdoctor.biz/2019/07/08/what-is-a-bumper-automatic/

I agree with @SkunkPrince that an Omega service will restore this watch to a usable, and presentable condition. It is worthy of consideration.
Edited:
 
SkunkPrince
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wagudc wagudc
All the important identifying information is on the information.
My esteemed colleague meant the identifying information is on the caseback. See if you can find a local watchmaker willing to remove the back so you can photograph the insides. But if you send it to Omega it doesn't really matter, and for your purposes, won't tell you much more anyways. The poor thing in this state isn't going to be much and short of factory service won't end up to much.

Yes, it costs more than it's "worth", but what price sentiment? I spent a couple of thousand dollars restoring my grandfather's trumpet, and it's still only "worth" $500 or so. But it looks great and plays like new.
 
Syrte
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In this particular instance I agree factory service would be the best option by far.

The dial and hands are toast, the cost of an overhaul with an independent watchmaker in the US, having to find new hands and perhaps a new dial will still be significant - and still the watch won’t be all original, won’t have any value as a collectible, and it won’t look half as good as what Omega might do with it.

At least you’ll have a great looking watch ready to wear for many more years which is your grand father’s watch, and which you can also pass on to others in your family if and when the time comes.
 
wagudc
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SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
My esteemed colleague meant the identifying information is on the caseback.

That was a funny error. I think the second "information" was supposed to be "inside." Anyhow, I have edited it for clarity.
 
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