Omega geneve and their collectibility

Salisto · Jan 17, 2021

I recently inherited an Omega Geneve 18 carat Yellow Gold (Automatic) Model No: 166070 from my father, who got it from his father for long service (25 Yrs) at Anglo Gold South Africa. Took it to the local jeweller and the piece was sent to Omega agents for assessment because it needed a service and it has a few scratches and parts to be replaced.

Quote came back and recommendation was that the piece needs to serviced in Switzerland and some parts replaced.
Cost in RSA Rands R15.850,00 converted to US $1040.21 or GBP765.74.

Is this cost worth it for an Old Model like this one?

OllieOnTheRocks · Jan 17, 2021

Salisto
I recently inherited an Omega Geneve 18 carat Yellow Gold (Automatic) Model No: 166070 from my father, who got it from his father for long service (25 Yrs) at Anglo Gold South Africa. Took it to the local jeweller and the piece was sent to Omega agents for assessment because it needed a service and it has a few scratches and parts to be replaced.

Quote came back and recommendation was that the piece needs to serviced in Switzerland and some parts replaced.
Cost in RSA Rands R15.850,00 converted to US $1040.21 or GBP765.74.

Is this cost worth it for an Old Model like this one?

I’m not versed in all models of Geneve but before you do anything I would suggest NOT sending a vintage watch to Omega for service under any circumstances.

Try to find a local watch maker that will preserve the integrity of the piece at a much lower cost.

Salisto · Jan 17, 2021

OllieOnTheRocks
I’m not versed in all models of Geneve but before you do anything I would suggest NOT sending a vintage watch to Omega for service under any circumstances.

Try to find a local watch maker that will preserve the integrity of the piece at a much lower cost.

Thanks will try and find someone local to give me their input or recommendations. If I may ask why don't you recommend sending to Omega?

kaplan · Jan 17, 2021

They are selling you a new dial, strap and a buckle too - seems half the cost are these

I mean, when you replace the dial, it's like you are killing the watch'es value, isn't it?

Salisto · Jan 17, 2021

kaplan
They are selling you a new dial, strap and a buckle too - seems half the cost are these

I mean, when you replace the dial, it's like you are killing the watch'es value, isn't it?

Want very well looked after, original strap was replaced together with the buckle by my father for a gold plated buckle that is worn and the plating lost its "shine" so its like a complete restoration. Im just worried to spend too much money for the restoration and the value is a lot less. See picture included

kaplan · Jan 17, 2021

My opinion, and it's far from a professional opinion, but $1000+ is definitely not worth it - however, regular servicing is ~$200 anywhere I guess

I think your watch just needs a new crystal, and only if you are going to wear it, otherwise store it as it is, it will be the best value

If you are going to wear it, the dial looks stunning, they are charging 4900 for just to butcher the originality imo

Salisto · Jan 17, 2021

kaplan
My opinion, and it's far from a professional opinion, but $1000+ is definitely not worth it - however, regular servicing is ~$200 anywhere I guess

I think your watch just needs a new crystal, and only if you are going to wear it, otherwise store it as it is, it will be the best value

If you are going to wear it, the dial looks stunning, they are charging 4900 for just to butcher the originality imo

Thanks for the feedback and recommendations really appreciated

STANDY · Jan 17, 2021

Salisto
I recently inherited an Omega Geneve 18 carat Yellow Gold (Automatic) Model No: 166070 from my father, who got it from his father for long service (25 Yrs) at Anglo Gold South Africa. Took it to the local jeweller and the piece was sent to Omega agents for assessment because it needed a service and it has a few scratches and parts to be replaced.

Quote came back and recommendation was that the piece needs to serviced in Switzerland and some parts replaced.
Cost in RSA Rands R15.850,00 converted to US $1040.21 or GBP765.74.

Is this cost worth it for an Old Model like this one?

You can get a service from a independent service centre with a Omega parts account for a lot less and will be sympathetic to the vintage watch it is.
Omega will make it like new but ruin the value.

A service with a new crystal and a black leather strap your good for half the price of the Omega quote.
(Unless parts are needed for the movement)

Salisto · Feb 14, 2021

@kaplan @STANDY @OllieOnTheRocks

Update on the Omega Geneve (automatic) found an Independent gentlemen locally that services and repairs watches with 35+ years experience working on watches including vintage ones. Attached are some of the pics he has sent, he has replaced the Glass and serviced some mechanical items. Looks 10x better already.

Thanks for the recommendations and suggestions. Still not sure on final cost but im sure it will be marginal compared to the quote is received to send it to Switzerland.

Canuck · Feb 14, 2021

Salisto
@kaplan @STANDY @OllieOnTheRocks

Update on the Omega Geneve (automatic) found an Independent gentlemen locally that services and repairs watches with 35+ years experience working on watches including vintage ones. Attached are some of the pics he has sent, he has replaced the Glass and serviced some mechanical items. Looks 10x better already.

Thanks for the recommendations and suggestions. Still not sure on final cost but im sure it will be marginal compared to the quote is received to send it to Switzerland.

Did you ask for his permission the show the two pictures that show his filthy work bench? Good luck with the repair!

kaplan · Feb 14, 2021

3 re-posts for such negativity? tu-tu-tu

Canuck · Feb 14, 2021

kaplan
3 re-posts for such negativity? tu-tu-tu

You should get this guys name in case you need your cherished Omega serviced sometime! Ugh! ::rimshot::

DavoH · Oct 8, 2022

Hi All,
Sorry for hijacking this thread but it is interesting and seemed like a good place to post.
I have a gold plated Geneve automatic I bought new in 1965/6, I always thought it was a Seamaster, see the pics.
I think it's a calibre 652, the first digit is a bit indistinct in the pic. It got seawater in it shortly after I bought it (SCUBA diving to 100ft in my ignorance) so the jeweller I bought it from repaired it under warranty and it's been perfect ever since (including more dives to 100ft!). I bought the bracelet for it shortly after I bought the watch. The only other time it has been serviced was about 25 years ago by a then jeweller friend of mine - I have no idea if he was a proper watchmaker/repairer. I wore it every day from when I bought it until about 2001 when I bought a Citizen quartz as the Omega bracelet was very worn and loose. It then sat in a drawer until recently when I decided to see if it still worked, I'm happy to report that it still keeps perfect time and winds itself as designed. From what I have been able to see online it was made in 1965, which seems correct.
I have two questions:
1) Is it a Seamaster?
2) The crown does not have the Omega symbol on it and I can't see one on the crystal either so I assume they were replaced during its warranty repair. Is it worth getting crown and crystal replaced with genuine Omega? I have taken up watchmaking as a hobby so feel I could do it myself, as well as a full overhaul and lube - however I don't have much experience so the jury is still out on doing it myself right now.🤔
Thanks,
Davo.

STANDY · Oct 8, 2022

It’s a geneve not a Seamaster. It was a weird time years ago as Geneve was relegated to a standard just below Seamaster at some stage.
(@JimInOz and others will know more about the change)

Would have had a Omega on the crystal and crown.

Something a watchmaker with a Omega parts account would order..after checking if still available.

sheepdoll · Oct 8, 2022

I am starting to become more fond of the Geneve dynamics. Used to think these were ugly watches.

Not sure Geneve was a good choice for a family name. There are quite a few variations on the Geneva name. Back in the day before the Swiss reincorporation in the 1800s, and the days of American Railroad grade watches such watches were known as Swiss Fakes. This was when Helvetica (if it even existed) was known as a low wage country of straw weavers.

Surprisingly, I do not seem to have acquired any gents Geneve other than the cracked dial.

I have one watch which I stripped the writing from as I was going to repaint it.

I do not think this was a Geneve as the case ref is 147-0013. Which I can not find on the omega archives. For some reason I can not find any 147 case refs on the omega archives.
Found the chart so 147 would be a gents, manual, watertight chronometer. Now I am curious as to what makes a Geneve case compared to what makes a seamaster case? I did not know seamasters were chronometers, I thought that was the constellation family.
Has anyone ever done a study on the last 4 digits? The chart says these refer to the case and bracelet type.

JimInOz · Oct 8, 2022

sheepdoll
.....................
Has anyone ever done a study on the last 4 digits? The chart says these refer to the case and bracelet type..........

The last four numbers are simply sequential "model" serial numbers, they have no other meaning.

DavoH · Oct 9, 2022

JimInOz
The last four numbers are simply sequential "model" serial numbers, they have no other meaning.

I forgot I had taken better pics of the works and the case - here they are. So it's a Gent's watch, Self Winding - Centre Second, Water Resist. Given it isn't waterproof it did extremely well to cope with my SCUBA diving! Calibre is definitely 552.
Can you give any further info on the .002 number on the case back, JimInOz? I'd also be interested in any info about the change from Seamaster to Geneve, as indicated by STANDY.

STANDY · Oct 9, 2022

It’s a Omega 185.002 so if you google….

😗

sheepdoll · Oct 9, 2022

STANDY
It’s a Omega 185.002 so if you google….

I think you mean 165.002 look at the chart above that would be gents automatic water(resistant)
The .002 is the sequential 'model' number when searching on the vintage omega site one enters 165-0002
https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-jd-165-0002
which states this should be good to 30 meters and had a 552 movement.

For some reason the omega vintage site does not list Geneve as a 'family' name.

185.xxxx would be a tuning fork (electric) or quartz watch.

-j

DavoH · Oct 10, 2022

sheepdoll
I think you mean 165.002 look at the chart above that would be gents automatic water(resistant)
The .002 is the sequential 'model' number when searching on the vintage omega site one enters 165-0002
https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-seamaster-omega-jd-165-0002
which states this should be good to 30 meters and had a 552 movement.

For some reason the omega vintage site does not list Geneve as a 'family' name.

185.xxxx would be a tuning fork (electric) or quartz watch.

-j

Yes, it's definitely 165.002. If you look up that number on the chrono24 Omega web site (https://www.chrono24.com.au/omega/ref-165002.htm#gref) it indicates that those were Seamasters - it shows mostly Seamaster models but includes two with just Geneve on the dial it also calls Seamasters. Very confusing. As per my previous post I'd like to know more about the crossover from Geneve to Seamaster, if you just Google Geneve Seamaster quite a few turn up with, like mine, Geneve on the dial and Seamaster on the screwed back.

Omega geneve and their collectibility

Salisto

OllieOnTheRocks

Salisto

kaplan

Salisto

kaplan

Salisto

STANDY

Salisto

Canuck

kaplan

Canuck

DavoH

STANDY

sheepdoll

JimInOz

DavoH

STANDY

sheepdoll

DavoH

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