Hi,

This is my first positing on this forum.

I have an old Omega pocket watch possibly from around the early 1900s based on the serial number on the case. It belonged to my late father and I am sure he would have inherited it too. I am looking for any information on this watch if possible.

Its in a gun metal case. Only the case would appear to have a serial number. I don't see one on the movement. Is there somewhere else I should look for the movement serial number? There could be another number scratched onto the inside of the movement lid however I cannot read it clearly.

The only indication it is Omega is on the inner case lid. The face doesn't have any makers name nor can I see anything on the movement. Looking on the internet the movement does look like some Omega ones but they all have serial numbers or Omega name on them.

Is this indeed an Omega watch?

The face is chipped at around the 4 o'clock position.

The watch is working, keeping good time and I think my father has it serviced about 3 or 4 years ago.

Would there be any value in this watch? Regardless of what it is actually worth there is much greater sentimental value to me.

Any information about this watch would be gratefully appreciated.

 

If the diameter of the movement is about 42.3mm then I would say that you have a Caliber 19''' NN L 7P.

19''' for the diameter of the movement in lignes. NN for the "New Negative" time setting mechanism. L for lepine, the orientation of the movement in the case. 7P for 7 jewels.

The caliber 19''' has been said to be the most important caliber made by Louis Brandt & Fils and gave the name to the company. Your movement is unusual in that the hairspring stud is in the stepped balance cock, as opposed to being mounted on an "ear" of the balance cock like so many other Omega calibers.

Omega made a number of other brands and did not always mark the rear of the movement. You will probably find other information (serial No etc) on the main plate by removing the dial.

The case appears to have been made by someone other than Omega, and then the Omega stamp was added later (over the top of the maker's mark). As you noted, the 1.6 million serial number puts the case very early in the 20th century, possibly even the late 19th.

As to value, I'm afraid not a fortune owing to the cracked dial and the "genericness" of the watch (low jewel count, base metal case, no Ω dial), but it doesn't really matter, it's a very nice memento.

 

Many thanks for this detailed information its very much appreciated.

Yes the diameter is approx 42.3mm.

I'm not going to attempt to remove the dial to find any other serial number on the movement. The next service I take the watch in for I would ask a professional watch specialist to help me on that one.

I didn't think it was going to be worth a fortune, nor do I care, its sentimental value outweighs any value.

 

Hi JIm,
Doesn't look like a negative setting (NN) caliber to me, I would say it is a basic 19'' lepine, the famous 'Omega' which gave its name to the brand.

 

Doh!