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Omega Geneve 135.041 redialed?

T
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Hello guys! This is my first post here. So I just into watches and was looking to buy my first vintage watch. I was just coasting through Ebay and found this Omega Geneve for a good (not cheap not too expensive) price. However, for its age, the dial looks too good/clean to be true. Thus it makes me wonder if it has been redialed, or even worse reconstructed. If it was indeed redialed, do you guys think it’s still worth it, or if it’s a bad quality re-dialing? I’m in a dilemma here. I’m seriously considering buying this. By the way, the watch is a Geneve 135.041, from the late 60’s if I’m not mistaken. Thanks guys!
 
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Dan S
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Dial looks ok to me at first glance. Has the serial number been damaged, or is that just something done to the photo?
 
Concer
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Everything looks good. The Geneves are very often in good condition. in any case, I come across them very often. In my opinion, there is nothing to rush into.
 
MtV
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Dial looks completely original to me. As Concer said, not uncommon for one of those Genèves. All the more reason to actually buy a good example like this one. The only weird thing is the serial number.


Here are two examples of Genèves I had and sold in the last couple of month - found both within a few weeks of searching for a reasonable price. I’d say both dials are pretty close to pristine.

86AEC085-F75A-4C61-BDB9-B420038818DB.jpeg E154F28D-EBA4-49C5-B680-3DD92B544830.jpeg
 
T
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Dan S Dan S
Dial looks ok to me at first glance. Has the serial number been damaged, or is that just something done to the photo?
Thanks for the reply! I can’t say for sure, I’ve asked the seller but he hasn’t replied. I hope it’s just the photo...
 
T
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Concer Concer
Everything looks good. The Geneves are very often in good condition. in any case, I come across them very often. In my opinion, there is nothing to rush into.
Good to know that the dial looks good! Yeah, I see a lot of them being sold on Ebay, however, this particular seller offered me a pretty decent price. Thanks for the reply.
 
Spruce
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I like Geneves and this looks fine but before you buy I’d suggest you look at what’s available as an automatic.
Search 165.041 with a 552 movement and 166.041 with a 565 movement and then compare.
 
T
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MtV MtV
Dial looks completely original to me. As Concer said, not uncommon for one of those Genèves. All the more reason to actually buy a good example like this one. The only weird thing is the serial number.


Here are two examples of Genèves I had and sold in the last couple of month - found both within a few weeks of searching for a reasonable price. I’d say both dials are pretty close to pristine.

86AEC085-F75A-4C61-BDB9-B420038818DB.jpeg E154F28D-EBA4-49C5-B680-3DD92B544830.jpeg
Those are beautiful looking watch! Love the one with the date window. Yeah, I’m guessing that the Geneves are not really in high demand, that’s why it’s pretty easily available anywhere. Thank you for the input!
 
T
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Spruce Spruce
I like Geneves and this looks fine but before you buy I’d suggest you look at what’s available as an automatic.
Search 165.041 with a 552 movement and 166.041 with a 565 movement and then compare.
I see. Do you think vintage manual watches are more easily damaged, or more fragile? I’ll look into those options, thank you for the input!
 
Spruce
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No, not at all. Omegas have a great reputation for reliability, long lasting and robust movements. For Geneves I’d opt for 601 manual or the 552/565 movements. There are other movements, and they have their fans, but I’ve always liked these and found them reliable both in Geneves and Seamasters.
 
Dan S
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T thegoodrebel
I see. Do you think vintage manual watches are more easily damaged, or more fragile?

No, in fact generally speaking it's the opposite. All things being equal, manual winding watches are simpler, with fewer moving parts that can need repair. It's a matter of personal taste whether you prefer manual winding or automatic. If you don't wear the watch every day, auto-winding watches are really very advantageous anyway, since you have to set and wind them if they have stopped running.
 
T
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Spruce Spruce
No, not at all. Omegas have a great reputation for reliability, long lasting and robust movements. For Geneves I’d opt for 601 manual or the 552/565 movements. There are other movements, and they have their fans, but I’ve always liked these and found them reliable both in Geneves and Seamasters.
Really interesting, they are identical, but with different movement. I have more option now, thank you, Spruce.
 
Davidt
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If this is to be your only/main vintage watch and one you will wear often, I’d strongly consider an automatic
 
padders
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A nice example of an entry level model. These are not rare so there will always be another along, I too would go for an auto. I note the case and movement has some pitting so while very nice, this one isn't perfect. The lack of serial is a major concern, if it has been photoshopped to hide it then that is fine but if it has been physically removed (and that is how it looks) then walk away.
 
MtV
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Regarding the movement: the 601 is super solid and also cheaper to maintain/buy. Not a huge difference, but it’s there. I think condition > movement. Unless you are really gonna wear it daily, just wait till you find a nice example you like. There’s a lot of fun to be had in both automatic and hand winding.

Might be just me, but the interaction with the watch of having to wind it in the morning is actually something I quite cherish sometimes. It’s a 30-second job, so it’s not like the effort is unbearable.
 
T
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MtV MtV
Regarding the movement: the 601 is super solid and also cheaper to maintain/buy. Not a huge difference, but it’s there. I think condition > movement. Unless you are really gonna wear it daily, just wait till you find a nice example you like. There’s a lot of fun to be had in both automatic and hand winding.

Might be just me, but the interaction with the watch of having to wind it in the morning is actually something I quite cherish sometimes. It’s a 30-second job, so it’s not like the effort is unbearable.
I agree, that is also one of the reasons why I really enjoy having a manual winding watch. Nice to know that 601 movement is a pretty solid one and not too expensive to maintain!
 
T
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padders padders
A nice example of an entry level model. These are not rare so there will always be another along, I too would go for an auto. I note the case and movement has some pitting so while very nice, this one isn't perfect. The lack of serial is a major concern, if it has been photoshopped to hide it then that is fine but if it has been physically removed (and that is how it looks) then walk away.
Thanks for the advice. Just out of curiosity, are there any legitimate reasons why someone would remove the serial number? Was it once stolen, or could it be a counterfeit product?
 
padders
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T thegoodrebel
Thanks for the advice. Just out of curiosity, are there any legitimate reasons why someone would remove the serial number? Was it once stolen, or could it be a counterfeit product?
I can’t think of a legitimate reason. These are from before the days of grey imports so I doubt that would be the motivation like it might on a 1990s watch. Theft, insurance fraud, bodged repair and Frankenism are all less legitimate reasons. It won’t be a fake, it would cost more than the watch is worth to fake it that accurately.

On a more prosaic level, it is very important to some of us to date their watches. You can’t do that accurately without a serial number. I won’t touch a watch without serial.
Edited:
 
T
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padders padders
I can’t think of a legitimate reason. These are from before the days of grey imports so I doubt that would be the motivation like it might on a 1990s watch. Theft, insurance fraud, bodged repair and Frankenism are all less legitimate reasons. It won’t be a fake, it would cost more than the watch is worth to fake it that accurately.

On a more prosaic level, it is very important to some of us to date their watches. You can’t do that accurately without a serial number. I won’t touch a watch without serial.
That’s really interesting. I’m heavily reconsidering of getting the watch now. Thanks for the advice, padders! I learned so much just from my first post here.
 
mrbreen
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I’m a fan of the 041s and the 601 movement. They make for good entry level Omegas and this one looks good. Nice case, dial, intact lume, etc. Not sure if it was resolved earlier but I can’t tell if the SN was actually physically removed or if the photo was edited. Some folks are quite sensitive/paranoid about posting SNs online. I’d ask the seller for an additional movement picture. If it was removed, I’d walk away. Good luck!
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