New (old) omega passed down. Anyone know anything?

[thawkins24]

Hey guys, first post here. Recently was lucky enough to have a vintage Omega passed down to me but don't really know anything about it (no box, no papers just the watch and metal strap). I know it was bought around 1956-58 but thats about it. The closest i could find after a LONG time searching google was the Seamaster 2892-1 but I think this has a slightly different bezel and dont know if the timing works out? Ive put it on the cheap leather strap as the metal bracelet it came with didn't quit fit and is heavily stretched. It has my fathers and my name engraved on it, so I wont ever sell it (unless worst comes to worst) but would anyone know what sort of value it holds? The 2892-1 i saw listed was at €380. Was thinking of getting a full service for it but asked around for some quotes at a few jewellers and it was up around the £800-£1000 price point which doesn't seem worth it for a £300 watch which still keeps decent time. Lastly is it worth it to sell the 1037 strap at its very stretched state? Cheers for reading, sorry its been a long one, just don't know anything about it!

 

[Spruce]

Well, and welcome to OF.

Nice watch, which looks to be in original condition although your photos are poor and it would help if you posted better, sharper and closer photos of the dial and case.

My initial view given the above limitations is that it’s a little earlier than you think. To find out, you need to ask a jeweller (and not the guy in the Mall) to unscrew the caseback and let you take photos of the caseback inside and the movement including the 3 digit movement type and the 8 digit movement number, from which you can date the watch.

The crown is wrong and is a replacement but no big deal to replace it.

You’re right about the value. Depending on the condition of the dial, case and movement, I’d say around £400-500.

I’d expect to pay in the UK, about £130-150 for a service by a specialist private watchmaker, plus parts, plus postage. If you let us know where you are, someone will be able to recommend a reliable servicer.

The bracelet is probably worth a couple of hundred £, but again better photos of the clasp, bracelet markings and end piece markings would be useful. You can always look up 'Sold' omega bracelet listings on eBay to get a feel for price.

 

[CBM1590]

Congrats on the watch and welcome! Can’t give any advice on the band, but I’ll jump in in the service. That watch is an heirloom and is a never-sell piece. I have a 1952 Seamaster that is also a heirloom that is currently being serviced, including some repair work. The price tag is north of 1000.00USD. Worth it for me to do by far. I’d say service it if you can. I’ll bet you won’t regret it and you’ll keep from harming the watch by running it without service. Doing so may cost you more in the long run. Good luck!

Edited: Oct 12, 2023

 

[thawkins24]

Spruce

Well, and welcome to OF.

Nice watch, which looks to be in original condition although your photos are poor and it would help if you posted better, sharper and closer photos of the dial and case.

My initial view given the above limitations is that it’s a little earlier than you think. To find out, you need to ask a jeweller (and not the guy in the Mall) to unscrew the caseback and let you take photos of the caseback inside and the movement including the 3 digit movement type and the 8 digit movement number, from which you can date the watch.

The crown is wrong and is a replacement but no big deal to replace it.

You’re right about the value. Depending on the condition of the dial, case and movement, I’d say around £400-500.

I’d expect to pay in the UK, about £130-150 for a service by a specialist private watchmaker, plus parts, plus postage. If you let us know where you are, someone will be able to recommend a reliable servicer.

The bracelet is probably worth a couple of hundred £, but again better photos of the clasp, bracelet markings and end piece markings would be useful. You can always look up 'Sold' omega bracelet listings on eBay to get a feel for price.

Thank you for the reply! In Salisbury, Wiltshire area. The jewellers on the high street all quoted above £600 for a service (all being sent straight back to omega), so if anyone knows any specialist private watchmakers in the county around the £150-200 mark then let me please let me know. Have uploaded another photo of the dial, although tricky to get close enough for my phone to focus. The case wouldn't focus at all so will have to rely on a jeweller for that.

 

[thawkins24]

CBM1590

Congrats on the watch and welcome! Can’t give any advice on the band, but I’ll jump in in the service. That watch is an heirloom and is a never-sell piece. I have a 1952 Seamaster that is also a heirloom that is currently being serviced, including some repair work. The price tag is north of 1000.00USD. Worth it for me to do by far. I’d say service it if you can. I’ll bet you won’t regret it and you’ll keep from harming the watch by running it without service. Doing so may cost you more in the long run. Good luck!

Thanks man! Yup not looking to sell ever really, but not financially smart to get it serviced at the moment at that sort of price unfortunately. Will take a bit of saving up for but as you say, definitely worth it

 

[Peemacgee]

thawkins24

Thank you for the reply! In Salisbury, Wiltshire area. The jewellers on the high street all quoted above £600 for a service (all being sent straight back to omega), so if anyone knows any specialist private watchmakers in the county around the £150-200 mark then let me please let me know.

The local jeweller is not the recommended way to go for a vintage watch - because as you've experienced they will just send your watch off to a third party and charge you a premium for the privilege.
I've not heard of any watchmakers in Wiltshire and since there are few trusted watchmakers around for vintage watches, most of us will happily post our watches to a watchmaker.
I can't promise a price tag of £150 for a service but a couple of reasonably priced and recommended watchmakers are Mitka (IIRC on the south coast now?) and Christian (IIRC Shropshire?).
Both are members here and could be PM'd for details.

Hope that helps

 

[krogerfoot]

The bracelet doesn’t look that stretched to me. Do the endlinks say 11 or 511? Beads-of-rice bracelets like that go for about USD150–300 depending on condition and scarcity. If you’re not desperate to sell, I’d highly recommend having the friendly independent watchmaker you find through this forum fit it onto the watch for you to try on. I’m a big fan of these and you might like how the watch looks and feels on a vintage steel bracelet.

 

[Spruce]

The actual clasp is adjustable too, so it may be possible to extend it unless it is already fully extended

 

[joe band]

S.HAWKINS
.M.HAWKINS

upside down.... is this Stranger Things?

nice family heirloom. careful ever sending it to Omega... they will return it to an non-vintage state, generally frowned upon for a vintage watch.

 

[Spacefruit]

You could send to Swiss Time Services direct or Simon Freese Watchmakers.

going through a high street shop in todays day and age is almost negligent. 😉

 

[DON]

Bracelet may not be a match for the case design. Also stretched. Nice honeycomb two tone dial. Movement? Full rotor of bumper (rock back and forth to see if it bumps)

Snap back. Need to pop the back to get case reference number and caliber number

Simon Freese in the UK