Recently inherited my grandfather's Omega desk style clock but I don't have any clues about the authenticity of it let alone the year or model. I do know that it's not working as the winding key is broken off, but if it's a real Omega I'd love to have it repaired.
The number on the back is 7546186
Has anyone seen one like this in their travels or personal collections?
How nice! No question that it’s authentic. This contains a 59-8D movement – which started life in 1926 and replaced the 27’’’ ‘Goliath’ movement that had been used for Omega’s larger clocks until then. The 59-8D was used in all the larger Omega editions in various forms for 25 years. The movement has two barrels, the earlier versions (including this) had 7 jewels, from about 1930 they had 15 jewels (and of course the jump second 'SCS' version from 1941 had 20 jewels). The 59-8D describes the diameter of the movement (59 mm) and the 8-day reserve.
Judging by the number, I guess this is 1928 or 1929. Omega made literally thousands of these desk clocks, a large proportion exported to the US. There were two series of references for these particular clocks, 14.XXX and 17.XXX – varying in shape (square or rectangular) and size, with many further variables of dials, hands, numbers, frame (some gilded, some nickel, some chromed). I guess this is from the 17.XXX family. For those with access to the Omega book ‘A Journey Through Time’, a similar clock appears on p.444 – with reference 17.010 (and very similar to the clock christos71 shows us above).
The winding keys on these are sadly often broken. The reason is that the movement is wound anti-clockwise – and the key has a reverse thread. In trying to remove the key, people often try to ‘unthread’ it the wrong way and it breaks off – an easy replacement but sadly now very hard to find.
Thank you so much for all of the great information on this clock, you all sure know your stuff! I've got a few watch repair places in Santa Barbara that I'm going to take it to and see how much of an expense it will be to get it back into shape. It's a shame that it doesn't work but I'm certain it can be repaired. I simply could not believe how heavy this thing is, i had it on a kitchen scale and it was over 4 lbs! Really well constructed for sure.
I've just purchased one of these clocks, same as OP, but need the winding key, set knob and the caseback. It will run according to my repairer. Anyone have a line on parts?
Thanks!
Thank you so much for all of the great information on this clock, you all sure know your stuff! I've got a few watch repair places in Santa Barbara that I'm going to take it to and see how much of an expense it will be to get it back into shape. It's a shame that it doesn't work but I'm certain it can be repaired. I simply could not believe how heavy this thing is, i had it on a kitchen scale and it was over 4 lbs! Really well constructed for sure.
