Hello guys! I recently found my grandfather's first ever watch that he bought when he got his first paycheck back when he was a seaman.
It's a waterproof stainless steel Genève with no date with a dark leather band (which definitely has to be swapped for a new one). The watch only works if lightly shaken so I will have to get it fixed (I know a very skilled guy or two who could do the job) and it needs a good polish. While I wait for the watch to get opened so to read the serial number, does anyone know which model and year this could be?

Thanks in advance!

 

Looks like an XXX.041 model Geneve. Made in Bienne not Geneva by the way. Manual wind? Likely model 135.041 Will be from roughly 1968-1971. Serial will likely be around 27m to 32m. An entry level watch in its day, reminiscent of the C cased Connie, nice on the wrist if a little small at 35mm, but so were most watches back then.

A service won’t be a huge cost as the 601 movement is pretty simple. Get it cleaned but I wouldn’t polish anything but the crystal. That case has a sunburst finish around the crystal which will look rubbish if polished. To fully restore the finish needs a lapping machine and an operator who knows what he/she is doing. If your grandfather made the scratches, keep them as a memento.

 

Mine
The ref. is 166.0041 gold filled auto cal 563 serial number 32.xxx.xxx. Gift watch (Some corporate logo on dial and back case). Looks not really vintage-ish so this is my casual watch.
Acquired few years ago and not yet serviced but runs strong (one of my most accurate mechanical watches)
With sentimental value on yours I wish you wearing it in good health.
Rgds

 

Thanks a lot for that! Out of mere curiosity (I would never try to sell this watch, it's a reminder o my grandfather and all his sacrifices) do you know what could be its value once cleaned and fixed?

 

Why do all those with uncle or grandfather watches always want to know the value . Its not a massively desirable or valuable piece I am afraid. Check Ebay completed listings for an idea of price but to my mind around £100-150 as is, once service maybe £200-250. The autos are more desirable and fetch maybe £50 to £100 more. If you are in fact looking to sell, don't bother with a service as you won't see that money back, unless you can get it done very cheap. Don't expect to be swamped with crafty pm offers to buy it, it isn't that kind of piece.

ps it is also known as the 135.0041, sometimes Omega added an extra zero to the code, that may help with your info search

 

As I said before I absolutely do not want to sell it. I'd never do that because it really is a symbol and I hope I still have some moral values. But again, thank you a lot. You have been very precise. I'll post the results when I get it fixed and cleaned!

 

Do. I really like these and I think that will clean up well. No offence intended, we get a lot of these kinds of threads and not every poster is sincere so you kind of assume a base motive sometimes.

 

Yes I can imagine the amount of threads, I was certain it wasn't intended as an offence. Again, you guys seem amazingly helpful.

Regarding the malfunction of the watch, has anyone encountered this kind of problem before?

The hands only move when the watch gets lightly shaken (just like it would do when walking) and the movement lasts for about an hour before stopping.

 

Make sure you keep the old leather strap, it looks awesome.

 

That is really nice looking to me, I love it when they are a little worn out by time and use! I plan on wearing mine as an everyday piece since it is quite understated and casual in terms of looks.

 

Sounds like it's desperately in need of clean & service, but otherwise functional. That's good news.

 

I would love to but it looks very ruined plus the locking piece is missing

 

That sounds good, I just hope there's nothing damaged in there

 

'Entry level' Omega watches were still way out of most ordinary watch-wearers price range at that time. My 1969 weekly wage, before tax, was about £18.00.

 

My grandfather probably bought it as a gift to himself when he was appointed First Mate but I still guess it still was a very expensive "introduction" to watches

 

You are right of course. I meant entry level Omega

 

Has one of the hands been scraping the dial? There is a circular mark near the centre. You won't be able to remove that or do anything else to the dial without spoiling it, so best leave it as is.

The 601 is an excellent movement and once serviced should keep very good time.

 

Yeah I saw that too. Might have to keep it as is though I kinda like that road-worn look

 

Good catch. I thought it was a reflection of the camera lens.

 

Out of curiosity (again ) does anyone know how much it would have costed new back then?
Just to put things into perspective and compare prices to the actual situation.