Omega of Great-Grandfather 1900-1920

Rodensun · Mon. 7:42am

Hello dear Watchlounge community,

Today I would like to introduce you to a special heirloom that originally belonged to my great-great-grandfather. According to current knowledge, the watch probably dates from the time of the First World War. My great-grandfather was a naval officer, but unfortunately it is not known in our family how he got to this clock.

I would be very happy if one of you could tell me more precisely which model it is or what special features this watch has. I would also be grateful for information on what you should definitely pay attention to in a professional restoration by a watchmaker. My wish would be to be able to wear the watch again in the future in order to continue the history of this special family heirloom.

Currently, the watch can no longer be won up regularly: The crown jumps back immediately. When adjusting the time, however, the spring seems to be tightened briefly, so that the second hand moves minimally. The enamel dial has some damage at the edge and the plexiglass is clearly yellowed.

Maybe some of you know this type of watch, have seen a similar piece or even a comparable model in your own collection.

I would be very happy about any feedback and judgement.

Dan S · Mon. 7:58am

The serial number on the movement is not legible in your photo, but you can use it to research the approximate production date, e.g. using the table here: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-serial-numbers-on-watches.91390/. This is a time-only gents watch from the early 20th century, no particular model name or special features. Men's wristwatches were popularized by WWI soldiers, so it's certainly possible that your GGF wore this watch during his service, but there's no way to know for certain, as it's not a military watch per se.

As for restoration, it is really your choice whether you would like to do something minimal or more substantial. An experienced independent watchmaker can service and repair the watch as needed, so that you can wear it. It's hard to know in advance why the watch is not running. If it can't be wound, the mainspring may have broken, but there could also be other problems and parts that need replacement.

The other thing that jumps out at me is that the hour and minute hands are mismatched and not original to the watch. However, they are functional, and presumably were replaced by a previous owner in your family, so it's your decision whether to leave them as-is, or to hunt down more appropriate replacements. Personally, I would get more joy from the watch with better hands, so I would probably address that issues, but I wouldn't recommend any restoration beyond the hands. Again, this is personal choice.

Mark020 · Mon. 7:58am

Watchlounge?

UncleBuck · Mon. 9:12am

Special watch with special meaning !
Hard to pin down without the complete 7 digit movement number but it appears to have the caliber 13''' NN which first appeared about 1901 and had several different variations.
If you could give us an idea of the size of the movement it would be helpful.
Can we please see the inscriptions inside the caseback and the inner dust cover?

Dan S
I would get more joy from the watch with better hands, so I would probably address that issues, but I wouldn't recommend any restoration beyond the hands. Again, this is personal choice.

Agree with Dan completely! The movement has no shock protection, little or no water resistance and the nice, but cracked dial is fragile even to temperature swings.
A display of some sort with a picture would be a priceless family heirloom and would be more comfortable for the old boy.

The hands would be my goal as well, I attach a photo of a similar looking dial about the same time for reference, the Poire' hands would look sweet!
Try to make out the 7 digit movement serial number, give us some measurements and show inscriptions and we will do better!

Rodensun · Mon. 10:16am

UncleBuck
Special watch with special meaning !
Hard to pin down without the complete 7 digit movement number but it appears to have the caliber 13''' NN which first appeared about 1901 and had several different variations.
If you could give us an idea of the size of the movement it would be helpful.
Can we please see the inscriptions inside the caseback and the inner dust cover?

Agree with Dan completely! The movement has no shock protection, little or no water resistance and the nice, but cracked dial is fragile even to temperature swings.
A display of some sort with a picture would be a priceless family heirloom and would be more comfortable for the old boy.

The hands would be my goal as well, I attach a photo of a similar looking dial about the same time for reference, the Poire' hands would look sweet!
Try to make out the 7 digit movement serial number, give us some measurements and show inscriptions and we will do better!

Hello, thank you very much for your answers. Here are a few more pictures. I hope you can recognise it reasonably well.

The size of the movement is 28 mm

539958 4

47668 12

Dan S · Mon. 10:54am

1915-ish.

UncleBuck · Mon. 11:23am

Bingo! Case number and movement confirm mid-teens as Dan said. Size supports the 13 lignes-13'''NN. Any pictures or stories of the Gentleman?

Hopefully others can help with the V hallmark and the M on the movement, usually origin of manufacture. There are several watchmakers service records also etched .

Couple of mine say "Welcome, Old Timer!"

Cathedral hands, also called Pontif, I think.

OllieOnTheRocks · 2025-11-18T06:38:10-0600

UncleBuck
Bingo! Case number and movement confirm mid-teens as Dan said. Size supports the 13 lignes-13'''NN. Any pictures or stories of the Gentleman?

Hopefully others can help with the V hallmark and the M on the movement, usually origin of manufacture. There are several watchmakers service records also etched .

Couple of mine say "Welcome, Old Timer!"

Cathedral hands, also called Pontif, I think.

Pontif hands are the ones with a circle at the end. e.g. mine below

lucentcrow · 2025-11-18T11:45:21-0600

Lovely thing

Larry S · 2025-11-18T17:31:29-0600

It will clean up well … overhaul service of course. Appropriate style hands. No dial work ! Dial is not that bad. Possibly have the chosen watchmaker stabilize the edges. Once done no water, no bumps or drops.

Omega of Great-Grandfather 1900-1920

Rodensun

Dan S

Mark020

UncleBuck

Rodensun

Dan S

UncleBuck

OllieOnTheRocks

lucentcrow

Larry S

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