Omega pocket watch - movement identification

Hi all,

I want to revive this beauty, that I obtained within the family and also started a general thread focusing on how to start working on movements for beginners like me (https://omegaforums.net/threads/lea...or-non-watchmakers.144489/page-2#post-1976979).


I identified two parts that need to be replaced (balance staff and escapement wheel). Therefore I would like to ask if anyone is able to identify the movement (and maybe at which time the watch was produced).

Numbers stamped into the case:
1562403
37504

Number stamped on the balance wheel bridge:
883


Any input is highly appreciated 😀

I will happily offer some comments – but I do so with caution because there are a few things which I find unusual, and therefore I can’t be definitive.

Firstly your watch appears to be original. As we see from the hallmarks, it has an 800 silver case – also with a German hallmark. The case number 1562403 would date the watch at about 1898. The inner caseback is marked ‘metal’ – because it is not silver: because it appears in a silver case, it was typical for it to be marked ‘metal’. However the second number (37504) which appears there is a mystery to me: I’m sorry but I can’t explain that.

The movement is (probably) an Omega 19’’’ (but the movements from that period were quite similar): a measurement of the movement diameter (the full width of the movement but only the movement) would confirm that: an Omega 19’’’ movement would measure 42.3 mm.

These movements were typically signed across the base of the movement (near the caseback hinge) but for this watch it is signed on the balance cock – and to me that is unusual.

The movement numbers were later visible on the movement – but in this watch it will appear on the dialside. Since you have clearly dismantled the movement (in order to remove the parts), you will presumably have seen the movement number – but you have not given it to us.

I would expect the ‘388’ which appears under the balance cock to be the last three digits of the movement number (and these will also appear under other ‘plate’ parts of the movement.

That’s all I can tell you. I’m afraid it isn’t enough to help you to look for the replacement parts you need – but hopefully it’s a start. Maybe others will come in to correct me or to offer more. Tom

Thank you @JimInOz!

I decased the movement as you suggested. The diameter of the main plate is ~44mm. Movement number seems to be 1505883 or the small number 8760?

Of course, we all need pictures:

Apologies to @JimInOz - we crossed! I hadn't noticed that you had already replied when I posted mine. But we're on the same tune! Tom

The 8760 was the (famous) Omega patent/brevet. My mistake with the number - as we see, it's last 3 digits are 883 (as expected). Tom

Thank you also @OMTOM. I decased the movement completely after @JimInOz suggested it. Before i left it in the case.

The 20''' diameter was 44.5.

I did also do a little research on "ranfft watches": http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&2&2uswk&Omega_19

The movement shown here looks identical to the movement shown in Fig. 1 - 3. Only the greek omega letter (Ω) on the balance cock is different. On my watch it is written "OMEGA". This indicates, that my watch earliest from 1903 (from here on no Ω but OMEGA) and latest from 1911 when the re-designed cal. 42.7 was introduced. The different grades A-D (with C and D offering chromometer precision and one additional jewel on the center wheel). Therefore mine is not he chronometer variant as it lacks this additional jewel. The outer diameter of 44.2mm also fits with my (rather rough) measurement.

I found two watches on ebay incorporating this movement:
https://www.ebay.de/itm/185006540995?hash=item2b133fc8c3:g:zNAAAOSwDfVhHn~N
https://www.ebay.de/itm/194930129515?hash=item2d62bdba6b:g:YOYAAOSwNshiOMAF

Now I have to figure out what makes most sense: Searching for single parts or trying to find a whole movement that is not too expensive.

So @OMTOM was instantly right i guess 😀

Dear MrFriday, you asked for help and you’re getting help. But please be careful.

There are many sources of information – and Ranfft is one of them.

You have misunderstood what you read (and quoted) from the Ranfft text: the Omega 19’’’ calibres (and it was a family of calibres, of different sizes) dated from 1894: this calibre was named the Omega. Following the success of that calibre, the company adopted the name Omega in 1903. That is what Ranfft means with his comment “The name Omega of this calibre was given to the company not before 1903.”

The eBay items you found are interesting – especially the second one because of the similarities with yours (not least the OMEGA on the balance cock).

Your original request included dating your watch. Dating can sometimes be confusing, for various reasons. The dating of Omega watches for this period (and for the next three decades) is (usually) according to the case number. As I wrote earlier, according to your case number 1562403, it would date the watch at about 1898 – and the second eBay watch you highlighted will be about 1900/1.

Your watch is definitely not ‘chronometer’ standard – and not just because it is missing a jewel.

If you are really interested in getting deeper into the Omega vintage world, it might be worth reading some of the early history – which is fortunately readily available.

I hope that all helps. Tom