This is not my first post on this forum. Hopefully it's not too late to correct a glaring omission. So my mother has a gold Omega watch which belonged to my grand father. Of course it sat in a drawer for many years wlthout working. He must have bought it in the 1950s or the 1960s. My mother says her father must have worn it twice at most. Since I don't know much about old watches (especially Omega which I hope I can admit without being banned that it's not even my favorite watch brand), could you tell me what it is? Here are a few pics: The original strap was changed a long time ago -- there goes the original buckle. Then it was serviced by a local watchmaker a couple of years ago. My mother had problems winding the crown so he replaced it with a larger one. Who knows where the original gold crown is now. Of course, I have no movement shot yet. (I will follow the advice to morons to get a professional to open it -- some other moron did manage to get a scratch on the back). I do have a specific question: how come it doesn't have "swiss" at 6? (could it have anything to do with the fact it was cased in France-- as appears from the French 18k gold eagle head hallmark on the case back?). Not forgetting the important question: what's it worth? I only ask for the sake of completeness as she's not planning on selling. (Plus she no longer has it, now I do -- how did that happen?) Thanks for your thoughts as ever, S
It's certainly a classy piece Sylvie. And you get points because this isn't the typical grandfather watch post As to your questions about the lack of Swiss and value, I don't know, so I won't hazard a guess
Could be an Omega Seamaster 30 with a redial maybe... Handwind movement 286? Someone with more knowledge will surely chime in but I find it quite similar to these references. http://naligazone.com/index.php/data-watch/omega/caliber-2/cal-286
If it's a redial, it's a redial, I don't care as it has sentimental value and it's quite nice looking-- but I'd be curious how you get a redial on a watch that was never worn. Unless they brought it in for service at one point and it got redialed then. But again, would they redial a brand new watch? That doesn't make much sense. Interesting the dial design look quite similar -- and there is no "Swiss" at 6 on those cal. 286 under this link. So a good lead perhaps?
You wrote "then it was serviced by a local watchmaker". That's where I draw my conclusion from that it "might" be a redial. Plus, as you stated yourself, it's missing the "Swiss/Swiss Made" at 6. I must have overlooked that you stated it was never worn, indeed it then wouldn't make much sense to redial it. It Is nice looking, and if it has sentimental value to you, than you shouldn't worry about it at all if it's redialed or not. But you also asked for value, and the originality of the dial Is an important factor. I'm also Not sure when and why Omega Started (or stopped on some Models) to put the "Swiss/Swiss Made" in their Models. Stil learning alot myself
The local watchmaker service was two years ago or less. I saw the watch before and after, it didn't get redialed then. If anything, it could have gotten redialed years ago -- but again, the reason would be a bit mysterious.
Then this becomes more and more interesting! Very curious about the movement shots, if you can take it to a watchmaker to Open it i'm sure the experts here will clarify everything.
How does your mother know it's only been worn twice? A watch worn twice wouldn't have that kind of case aging to it. Looks like it was worn quite a bit. Maybe he only wore it twice in front of your mother..
Possible. A lot of what you see on those pics is dirt, which I just wiped off. But looking at it with a loupe, there are quite a few superficial scratches and dings indeed, and also on the crystal. My mother wore it a bit, and I wore it a bit too some time ago. Hard for me to tell if that could have caused that kind of wear, but you may be right. What is weird is that I also see scratches on the hands. (I'd have to take closer pics).
You guys must be right, it must have been worn more than my mother thinks, and it must have gotten a service redial at some point in its life. Looking at it with a powerful loupe in bright light, it does appear the indices to the left side of "12" (between 10 and 11 in particular) are thicker than the ones on the right side (particularly between 1 and 2). Plus, there's simply no other way to account for all the wear and the missing "Swiss" at 6. Thanks gents for your thoughts, that kind of sets it for value. Now I just have to see what's inside.
Finally got it opened.... what's inside is a cal. 600. Looks kinda neat. Does this help identify the watch? Is it just some random reference? Thanks for your thoughts as ever!
I can't tell from your photo, what are the numbers stamped inside the case back? Is it 131.0004? Here's a place to start your research on the cal 600. http://naligazone.com/index.php/data-watch/omega/caliber-6/cal-600
Hi Sergio This watch was definitely worn (with this strap she bought) when my mother owned it and when she lent it to me. the question was more what happened before. But at this stage it's simply what is it... Thanks much, will take a look - the numbers are 131.3004 (not super crisp, I know - it was an I phone)
I hear you. I.gktmy great grandfather's Waltham which has been in the family since around 1912. When it was passed to me it was supposedly untouched, when I got it services I saw three other service dates on the inside of the caseback. Who knows what was or not done to it. But I still wear it and love it.