Omega or Tissot -- Which one?

Posts

330

Likes

309

mozartman

·Wed. 3:17pm

I was surprised when these showed up in my late mother's things: My grandfather's Omega Geneve automatic ref. 166.0120 and Tissot Seastar manual wind ref. 42520, both from the early 70s. Both are in great cosmetic condition and still running (!) after 30+ years in storage, though both are badly in need of a service. I got rid of their nasty non-original metal bands and put leather straps on them. I know neither is of any real collectors' value. So the key question is: Which do you like better? I know my answer, but am curious about all of you.

 

Posts

803

Likes

1,491

TIMElyBehaviour

·Wed. 3:54pm

Personally I’m more of a fan of the Seastar. I prefer the case shape. Mind you, if the omega had its original bracelet I’d be on that more.

Either way, it’s a nice two piece. One more more formal occasions or going out for drinks being the Tissot, the other as a daily.

 

Posts

8,821

Likes

73,239

Spruce

·Wed. 4:29pm·Sunburst dial fan

Like @TIMElyBehaviour, I like the shape of the Seastar and actually have an automatic model.
That said, I now find the case a fraction too small for me and so I’d probably prefer to wear the Genève.

I wouldn’t polish the case, as such, but use a soft jewellers cloth to remove the tarnish and put it on a soft, pliable black lizard strap.

If you get it serviced (and you probably should) post where you live and someone can probably recommend a reliable independent watchmaker who will charge a reasonable price.

When the watch is open, get him to photograph the movement and the inside case back number and, armed with this information you can have a look on eBay and elsewhere for the correct antique bracelet

 

Posts

6,445

Likes

9,966

Peemacgee

·Wed. 4:40pm·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

I’m with @TIMElyBehaviour - the Seastar for me.
Firstly because I love the shape of the case and secondly because the automatic version (which shared the bones of a movement with Omega) was my gateway drug into Omegas.

 

Posts

6,299

Likes

21,483

pdxleaf

·Wed. 4:49pm·"I cut it TWICE and it's still short!"

Seastar is the star, but the Geneve is great mainly because of the condition. Those cases are often rounded and nicked up. When the edges are sharp like yours, they stand out.

The Seastar has such a small bezel area that it wears larger than it measures with so much dial area. It should look fantastic on the wrist.

Nice heirlooms and nice that you appreciate them.

 

Posts

803

Likes

1,491

TIMElyBehaviour

·Wed. 5:02pm

Just putting it out there, I used to have a Seastar even very similar to this. Loved it but moved it on. Wish I kept it. Just found one on eBay. Thinking of buying for some nostalgia.


All your fault lol

 

Posts

330

Likes

309

mozartman

·Wed. 6:32pm

Spruce

Like @TIMElyBehaviour, I like the shape of the Seastar and actually have an automatic model.
That said, I now find the case a fraction too small for me and so I’d probably prefer to wear the Genève.

I wouldn’t polish the case, as such, but use a soft jewellers cloth to remove the tarnish and put it on a soft, pliable black lizard strap.

If you get it serviced (and you probably should) post where you live and someone can probably recommend a reliable independent watchmaker who will charge a reasonable price.

When the watch is open, get him to photograph the movement and the inside case back number and, armed with this information you can have a look on eBay and elsewhere for the correct antique bracelet

Thanks, great advice. Fortunately, I have a good watchmaker nearby. I don't much care for metal bracelets generally, and the original one for this Geneve is particularly unimpressive imo. I agree a better leather strap is called for if I'm going to wear this one regularly.

Edited: Wed. 6:40pm

 

Posts

330

Likes

309

mozartman

·Wed. 6:38pm

TIMElyBehaviour

Personally I’m more of a fan of the Seastar. I prefer the case shape. Mind you, if the omega had its original bracelet I’d be on that more.

Either way, it’s a nice two piece. One more more formal occasions or going out for drinks being the Tissot, the other as a daily.

Yes, just how my grandfather would have used them. An elegantly attired world traveler who owned a gold Patek (I'm told), he likely picked these up on one of many trips to Switzerland for daily wear without the worry of theft or loss.

 

Posts

803

Likes

1,491

TIMElyBehaviour

·Wed. 9:49pm

mozartman

Yes, just how my grandfather would have used them. An elegantly attired world traveler who owned a gold Patek (I'm told), he likely picked these up on one of many trips to Switzerland for daily wear without the worry of theft or loss.

Wonderful story. Wear them in good health.

 

Posts

18,155

Likes

37,888

JimInOz

·Thurs. 1:12am·Melbourne Australia

 

Posts

88

Likes

134

HorsinTime

·Thurs. 7:18am

Funny result on an Omega fan forum, but I much prefer the Tissot as well. And there's a good chance I may never say that again.

 

Posts

6,792

Likes

53,872

noelekal

·Thurs. 9:06am·Home For Wayward Watches

I like that Tissot more than I do that Omega.

There is something about round cased watches that makes me happy.

 

Posts

6,445

Likes

9,966

Peemacgee

·Thurs. 9:35am·Purrrr-veyor of luxury cat box loungers

I've told the story before - but, after the untimely demise of my FIL, I was presented with a box of watches, including a Rolex, a Longines, a couple of Seiko's and this lovely little Tissot (which wasn't even working at the time) and I chose the Tissot because of its wonderfully simple elegance.
Which rekindled my watch fascination - and of course, research took me to Omega because of the shared movement. (and the style explains my love of round-cased dome dial Constellations)

It eventually went off to Mitka to service and it performs astonishingly well (as good as any of my Constellations)

As found

on Mitka's bench

 

Posts

13,277

Likes

23,058

Davidt

·Thurs. 9:53am

I’m with @TIMElyBehaviour, I’d get an original Omega beads of rice for the Omega and it’ll look great. A bit different to most vintage watches you see.

 

Posts

330

Likes

309

mozartman

·Thurs. 2:53pm

Davidt

I’m with @TIMElyBehaviour, I’d get an original Omega beads of rice for the Omega and it’ll look great. A bit different to most vintage watches you see.

Yes, if I come across a vintage Omega bracelet I like and the price is not insane, maybe I'll go that way. But for now, I chose the Tissot, which is with the watchmaker for servicing.

Edited: Thurs. 3:12pm

 

Posts

78

Likes

46

t_kermi

·Thurs. 3:00pm

I too prefer the Seastar. Otherwise as a brand I prefer Omega over Tissot but I'm more into -50s and -60s design language, so this Omega doesn't have my favourite form.

 

Posts

2,891

Likes

4,615

sheepdoll

·Thurs. 3:09pm

Some of the 70s/80s cases get a bit clunky. Bit late for Brutalist ,which is what I am reminded of when I see them. There was a bit of a Brutalist revival in the 1970s, which sort of turned me off Architecture at the time. Now that stuff simply looks dated, which is what this omega does. The strap instead of the bracelet does not help. Normally I prefer leather straps, but this one is cut too straight. Needs the taper.

Seastar wins here. There really is nothing wrong with Tissot.

 

Posts

803

Likes

1,491

TIMElyBehaviour

·Thurs. 3:36pm

Looks like the i’s have it. Tissot it is for the win. Little brother triumphs.

 

Posts

157

Likes

1,179

watchmann44232

·Fri. 2:54am

'Missed' the 'voting', but also in favour of Tissot. My similar sample says hi! Thanks to this thread, it's getting wrist time today.

 

Posts

1,688

Likes

5,142

Tet

·Fri. 5:22am

Two beautiful watches to choose from and seems like you ended choosing the Tissot which is certainly the clever option here as it's more timelessly classic and can never go out of style.

I would probably have gone with the Omega, but I've always had a thing for that era of Omega with the funky angular cases. Still I would have probably have voted for the Tissot here as the better bet for longevity.