Omega Genève 136.0098 buying advice

bartf · Dec 19, 2021

Hi there!

I'm really getting into (Omega) watches the last few days and I want to buy my first watch. Thing is, I'm no expert. So I found this watch (Omega Genève 136.0098) which I thought looks nice. It will cost me around 400 euro's including shipping. Service history unknown, but it's working fine. But as I've no idea what to look for I don't know if this is a good deal at all. Is it worth that much? How does it look to you? Can you tell me something about this watch?

Any info would be appreciated. Thanks a million!

Some pics:

MtV · Dec 19, 2021

Hi Bart,

welcome to a very addictive hobby - I’d suggest you skip on this one, though. Google “Omega 136.0098” and look at pictures of a few other examples to compare the lugs. This one has been heavily polished and if you zoom in on the edges of them you’ll see the gold plating has been polished off. It has lost its distinctive, sharp shape and the decorative thin layer of precious metal. The crown is also very worn.

By the way: The watch was sold on Catawiki only a few days ago for 260€, which is a much more realistic value for it in this condition (although I’d still consider that too much with a case this poor). Here’s the link:

https://www.catawiki.com/de/l/26879057-omega-geneve-136-0098-herren-1970-1979

Your seller is simply a flipper, trying to make 100€+ or so on you. Check eBay open auctions for those Genèves, they usually end between 250-350€, even if they’re quite nice. The classifieds of this forum might also be good to check out occasionally.

Davidt · Dec 19, 2021

Agree with @MtV. This isn’t a good example as the case is poor.
These gold cap are the least desirable case material and the Geneves at this point were entry leve so they should be the cheapest vintage Omegas out there.

If you want gold cap, with some patience you should be able to find one in very good condition for the same price or perhaps a little more.

bartf · Dec 19, 2021

MtV
Hi Bart,

welcome to a very addictive hobby - I’d suggest you skip on this one, though. Google “Omega 136.0098” and look at pictures of a few other examples to compare the lugs. This one has been heavily polished and if you zoom in on the edges of them you’ll see the gold plating has been polished off. It has lost its distinctive, sharp shape and the decorative thin layer of precious metal. The crown is also very worn.

By the way: The watch was sold on Catawiki only a few days ago for 260€, which is a much more realistic value for it in this condition (although I’d still consider that too much with a case this poor). Here’s the link:

https://www.catawiki.com/de/l/26879057-omega-geneve-136-0098-herren-1970-1979

Your seller is simply a flipper, trying to make 100€+ or so on you. Check eBay open auctions for those Genèves, they usually end between 250-350€, even if they’re quite nice. The classifieds of this forum might also be good to check out occasionally.

Thank you, yes I was already afraid of that, so it's good to get confirmation.

onlyomega94 · Dec 19, 2021

Davidt
Agree with @MtV. This isn’t a good example as the case is poor.
These gold cap are the least desirable case material and the Geneves at this point were entry leve so they should be the cheapest vintage Omegas out there.

If you want gold cap, with some patience you should be able to find one in very good condition for the same price or perhaps a little more.

Isn't this 20 micron gold plated on brass (or a comparable alloy)? I haven't seen gold capped geneves before (maybe apart from the first generation with italic geneve writing). I would agree that gold plating is the least desirable case material but would also say that gold capped omegas are considerably more desirable than gold plated ones. If we go beyond the geneve line, some vintage Omegas are more sought after in gold capped versions than in steel versions in my experience (Seamaster De Villes being an example). But of course there could be geographical differences in that.

Anyway, I agree that the OP should look further. If your budget is in the 400 euro range then look for a geneve in steel, for example reference 166.070. With some patience you can find a nice one of those within your budget.

watchyouwant · Dec 19, 2021

Steel is the more desirable version.

onlyomega94 · Dec 19, 2021

MtV
Hi Bart,

welcome to a very addictive hobby - I’d suggest you skip on this one, though. Google “Omega 136.0098” and look at pictures of a few other examples to compare the lugs. This one has been heavily polished and if you zoom in on the edges of them you’ll see the gold plating has been polished off. It has lost its distinctive, sharp shape and the decorative thin layer of precious metal. The crown is also very worn.

By the way: The watch was sold on Catawiki only a few days ago for 260€, which is a much more realistic value for it in this condition (although I’d still consider that too much with a case this poor). Here’s the link:

https://www.catawiki.com/de/l/26879057-omega-geneve-136-0098-herren-1970-1979

Your seller is simply a flipper, trying to make 100€+ or so on you. Check eBay open auctions for those Genèves, they usually end between 250-350€, even if they’re quite nice. The classifieds of this forum might also be good to check out occasionally.

The Catawiki watch and the watch the OP is considering are not the same. The case of the Catawiki watch is in a considerable worse condition and the movement serial numbers are different.

Claven2 · Dec 19, 2021

Davidt
Agree with @MtV. This isn’t a good example as the case is poor.
These gold cap are the least desirable case material and the Geneves at this point were entry leve so they should be the cheapest vintage Omegas out there.

If you want gold cap, with some patience you should be able to find one in very good condition for the same price or perhaps a little more.

That doesn't look like a gold capped model to me, which is usually a decent choice. Rather. That looks to be gold plated, which is not a good choice for durability.

Gold caps only rarely wear through.

Davidt · Dec 19, 2021

Very possibly so. Gold plate/cap doesn’t interest me particularly so I’m unsure which models are which. However, the premise remains, the gold coating here is poor and this example should be avoided.

Claven2 · Dec 19, 2021

Davidt
Very possibly so. Gold plate/cap doesn’t interest me particularly so I’m unsure which models are which. However, the premise remains, the gold coating here is poor and this example should be avoided.

I agree the watch in this thread is a dog. But accuracy matters, others see these threads and may rely on the info.

Gold capped is a thick gold Case Shell that is pressure soldered over a stainless case. These caps are very thick and durable and the underlying metal, stainless, is also very durable. These watches retain crisp lines, and in good condition look just like a solid gold watch. From the underside you see the stainless base. The cap is pressed down from the top only. Also, these watches can be laser welded and restored.

Gold filled is also a soldering process, but is thinner generally than a gold cap. It will wear through easier, and is basically a mure durable alternative to electroplating. Once it wears through, it can't easily be repaired, apart from electroplating over the whole affair with often limited results. The base metal is usually some sort of copper alloy.

Lastly we have electroplating, measured in microns. This is cheap, done over a cheap base metal like brass. The OPs watch is electroplated.

kaplan · Dec 19, 2021

I desire steel more also but gold coated watches lately are very desired too, almost on par and sometimes more, very annoying when you are on the buying side

Davidt · Dec 19, 2021

Claven2
I agree the watch in this thread is a dog. But accuracy matters, others see these threads and may rely on the info.

Gold capped is a thick gold Case Shell that is pressure soldered over a stainless case. These caps are very thick and durable and the underlying metal, stainless, is also very durable. These watches retain crisp lines, and in good condition look just like a solid gold watch. From the underside you see the stainless base. The cap is pressed down from the top only. Also, these watches can be laser welded and restored.

Gold filled is also a soldering process, but is thinner generally than a gold cap. It will wear through easier, and is basically a mure durable alternative to electroplating. Once it wears through, it can't easily be repaired, apart from electroplating over the whole affair with often limited results. The base metal is usually some sort of copper alloy.

Lastly we have electroplating, measured in microns. This is cheap, done over a cheap base metal like brass. The OPs watch is electroplated.

I’m not sure what your point is.

Ive already said I’m not an expert in the various gold plated/capped/filled models of this reference. I said, gold capped, you said it’s plated and I agreed you’re probably right.

What I am saying is regardless of the how the gold top layer is applied, if the base metal is showing through its a poor example and better avoided.

I also think the market (and I agree) almost exclusively values gold capped/filled/plated below stee and solid gold, perhaps with the exception of some rose gold capped models.

Sherbie · Dec 19, 2021

For reference, i saw in an UK antique shop this week, and fantastic gold plated Geneva in NOS condition ( albeit the case back was engraved), boxed, with 1977 omega certificate and instructions booklet, orignal omega black leather strap and buckle - asking price was GBP 350, but shop owner would take lower

unfortunately, i didnt take photos, so cant rember now what ref it was, but it could have been something like this - as it had large heavy downturned lugs.

kaplan · Dec 19, 2021

Downturned lugs might mean a Tissot movement though

CjJEEP · Dec 19, 2021

@MtV Lol he said flipper, fond memories…. 100% Agree better options out there.

Davidt · Dec 19, 2021

kaplan
Downturned lugs might mean a Tissot movement though

Can you explain what you mean by this?

Dan S · Dec 19, 2021

Claven2
From the underside you see the stainless base.

This is the easiest way to identify a gold-capped case IMO.

Davidt
...if the base metal is showing through its a poor example and better avoided.

👍

MtV · Dec 19, 2021

Davidt
Can you explain what you mean by this?

I assume that later incarnations had cal 1481s, the equivalent of Tissots 2481.

kaplan · Dec 19, 2021

Yeah, indeed - my personal opinion; worse than Omega's 1000+ cal movements, free hanging dials kept in place with the caseback etc. - didn't have a good experience with one

Davidt · Dec 19, 2021

MtV
I assume that later incarnations had cal 1481s, the equivalent of Tissots 2481.

Ah right. I thought these had 10xx movement such as the 1010 or 1012. Didn’t realise things slipped even further in the late 70’s.

Omega Genève 136.0098 buying advice

bartf

MtV

Davidt

bartf

onlyomega94

watchyouwant

onlyomega94

Claven2

Davidt

Claven2

kaplan

Davidt

Sherbie

kaplan

CjJEEP

Davidt

Dan S

MtV

kaplan

Davidt

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