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Omega trench watch - yes, no, thoughts please for the naive?

Kiwibloke
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This watch has popped up in a local second hand dealer - have done some searching and found similar looking dials and engravings/stampings in case backs but hoping for guidance and thought as to originality from the experts here.... understand that it has broken balance staff and in clear need of cleaning but...thanks for any insights or links to background info, etc...
Dial
trench watch dial.jpg

Crown
trench watch crown.jpg

Case back
trench watch case back.jpg

Movement
trench watch movement.jpg
Edited:
 
DaveK
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These are handsome watches. The only thing I can contribute is that is a lot of radium, so if you are comfortable with that
 
JwRosenthal
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DaveK DaveK
These are handsome watches. The only thing I can contribute is that is a lot of radium, so if you are comfortable with that
Don’t lick the dial 😉
I can’t speak to the actual science of radium poisoning from wearing a watch (there is a lot of metal between the dial and the wrist), but I know some people have concerns. Plus watches like these aren’t commonly worn daily for 50 years anymore so we’re not talking about prolonged exposure.
 
UncleBuck
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Movement and case numbers point to 1930'ish, all looks correct to me with some dial cracks.
26.5 movement.
Swiss hallmark (lion), not sure about the crescent moon/ crown mark but most probably an import or assay mark.
@JimInOz and some of our knowledgeable residents could clear this up
 
DaveK
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JwRosenthal JwRosenthal
Don’t lick the dial 😉
I can’t speak to the actual science of radium poisoning from wearing a watch (there is a lot of metal between the dial and the wrist), but I know some people have concerns. Plus watches like these aren’t commonly worn daily for 50 years anymore so we’re not talking about prolonged exposure.
Good points JW. Whoever is interested, There are few good and comprehensive threads on radium here on OF. For me, it just is a personal choice, I’d rather avoid it.
 
Kiwibloke
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Have made a couple of edits to remove reference to WWI (which I think was my error/assumption) but clearly later from comments already received - and thanks for those to date...
 
watchyouwant
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Civil model. Nothing to do with any military use. Had a few of these over the last 30 years. Nice but small. Kind regards. Achim
 
JimInOz
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It's a nice little watch.
The marks in the caseback are Swiss silver hallmarks denoting .925, the grade of silver (the large bear stamp and the smaller bear stamp below it). The crescent moon and crown were often stamped on cases destined for export to Germany (German silver marks) but were often found on watches exported everywhere else. The G under the crown is most likely the assay office in Geneva where the case was made.

The use of the bear stamps ceased in 1933 and was replaced with a grouse for silver (I think).

The case serial number dates the case to between 1929 and 1935. The movement serial to about the same date range. I would say pre 1933 due to the existence of the bear hallmark.
 
JimInOz
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JimInOz JimInOz
It's a nice little watch.
The marks in the caseback are Swiss silver hallmarks denoting .925, the grade of silver (the large bear stamp and the smaller bear stamp below it). The crescent moon and crown were often stamped on cases destined for export to Germany (German silver marks) but were often found on watches exported everywhere else. The G under the crown is most likely the assay office in Geneva where the case was made.

The use of the bear stamps ceased in 1933 and was replaced with a grouse for silver (I think).

The case serial number dates the case to between 1929 and 1935. The movement serial to about the same date range. I would say pre 1933 due to the existence of the bear hallmark.

PS: The movement is possibly a caliber 23.7S which was in production from about 1925 to 1934.
 
Kiwibloke
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The case is 30mm excluding crown I believe - so yes, small. I haven't done any homework yet on what sort of investment might be required to get it into sound, working order but as-is cost looks to be around AUD400/USD250 which wouldn't break the bank if there is something interesting about the watch, and info from @JimInOz seems to indicate that all the components fit together period-wise?...
Thanks again to all!
 
JimInOz
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If the balance and hairspring were sound I think it would be OK, but it may turn into a money pit and the parts hard to find.
The dial also has a few cracks which lessens the value to me.
 
Kiwibloke
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Sounds like it's a project for someone more informed and initiated into the Omega world than I right now... sincerely appreciate all the information!
 
Kiwibloke
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Ouch! The sum of the parts (needed) could be much greater than the whole... I've already got a car that's in that category so don't really need to start collecting watches of the same ilk!...
 
STANDY
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Projects take money, time and a lot of knowledge on these movements. You buy the watch and it takes 3+ years to enjoy it.
I gave up projects years ago and pay the extra dosh for great examples.
(Unless you have a 90 year old watchmaker in your garage that works for food)
 
Kiwibloke
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STANDY STANDY
Projects take money, time and a lot of knowledge on these movements. You buy the watch and it takes 3+ years to enjoy it.
I gave up projects years ago and pay the extra dosh for great examples.
(Unless you have a 90 year old watchmaker in your garage that works for food)
I didn't see one there last time I looked - good idea tho...
You never know until you ask do you...learned something in the process and clearly our man @JimInOz is another great 'local' source of intel that I can add to my list of folk to bother with silly questions! I'm told that there are a lot of nice watches in Oz-land (or the West Island as we know it in NZ) - do let me know if there are other folk that I should connect with..
Thanks again, Martin
 
JimInOz
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STANDY STANDY
Projects take money, time and a lot of knowledge on these movements. You buy the watch and it takes 3+ years to enjoy it.
I gave up projects years ago and pay the extra dosh for great examples.
(Unless you have a 90 year old watchmaker in your garage that works for food)

I don't work for food!

😁
 
Kiwibloke
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That's a real saving then! But I suspect you're not 90 either...😀
 
JimInOz
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Kiwibloke Kiwibloke
That's a real saving then! But I suspect you're not 90 either...😀

Feel like it sometimes.
 
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