Community Stories

Omega Vintage ?

T
Posts
6
Likes
5
Good evening all...
Total newby here who would love some information on the watch in the attached photo.
No markings on the back just smooth...
I'd love to know something about this watch as it was a gift a long long time ago that was misplaced and
has just been found again !
Best wishes and many
omega.jpeg
thanks
Tim
 
Dan321
Posts
190
Likes
102
Hi and welcome, please post more pics, different angles, side view etc and the experts will help you out.
 
sleepyastronaut
Posts
963
Likes
1,250
I'm wondering if this is a pocket watch conversion. It would help to see the inside of the case back and the movement. Are you able to pop off the back? Look for a lip or gap along the case back seam where you can slide in a fingernail or blunt knife. It should open if you go gently, don't try to pry or twist.
 
sleepyastronaut
Posts
963
Likes
1,250
Serial number puts the manufacture date around 1935.

I'm not seeing any shock protection, so my guess would be pocket watch conversion, done a long time ago, judging by the wire lugs.

Cool piece. Does it run and keep time? I would get a new strap, get it serviced, and wear this around.
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,791
sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
I'm not seeing any shock protection, so my guess would be pocket watch conversion, done a long time ago, judging by the wire lugs.
That is not really indicative. There are a lot of watches built as wristwatches that are not conversions and have no shock protection.
 
OMTOM
Posts
534
Likes
1,401
I suggest that your watch started life as a wristwatch (just as it is), probably about 1938. It has the calibre 26.5.

To start with, the calibre is 26.5 – which was a wristwatch movement: there would be no point putting it in a pocket watch (although Omega did do that with the 23.4! But not many – because there were many dedicated pocket watch movements at that time).

I show a catalogue image from 1933 which shows three 26.5 wristwatches– with a similar watch (not quite the same).
Catalogue.jpg Compare.jpg


I also show a 1938 watch of mine with calibre 26.5 and similar numbers. OK, the watch is different (it’s a Scarab) but the guts are the same.

Movements.jpg Caseback.jpg


I suggest you find a suitable watchmaker (not so easy) and get it serviced – and ‘wear it with pride’!
Tom
 
Compare.jpg
nicks
Posts
313
Likes
254
Agreed, it’s a wristwatch. I was surprised to see that the wire lugs persisted into the 1930s — I had thought that they disappeared well before then.

Good to know.
 
sleepyastronaut
Posts
963
Likes
1,250
SkunkPrince SkunkPrince
That is not really indicative. There are a lot of watches built as wristwatches that are not conversions and have no shock protection.

I just learned something, thanks!

I'm curious, is it safe to applaud wearing a wristwatch with no shock protection?
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,791
sleepyastronaut sleepyastronaut
I just learned something, thanks!

I'm curious, is it safe to applaud wearing a wristwatch with no shock protection?
Oh yes, no problem. You can do anything other than drop it on the floor.
 
wagudc
Posts
4,608
Likes
11,673
Cool watch. This thread got me to dig more into shock protection in watches. According to this article ( https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/blogantishock.php ) Incabloc was invented in the late 20s but for various reasons was not widely adopted until after the war.

I ruled this out as a pocket watch conversation because of the Omega signed case back. Is that a reasonable assumption, or did Omega make cases that could be used for converting pocket watches? (@OMTOM ?)
 
T
Posts
6
Likes
5
Wow you guys are really the fountain of information... very interesting too....
My final questions would be, what kind of strap would you recommend and is it something that I should consider insuring or is the value not that significant to worry...? cheers and best wishes to you all...
Tim
 
sleepyastronaut
Posts
963
Likes
1,250
Search for 'fixed lug watch strap' or 'wire lug watch strap' to see options. I would caution you against using a nylon or perlon g10 (NATO-style) single-pass strap, as the nylon can leave marks in the case back. Leather g10 single-pass straps are available, but I haven't used one.

I haven't tried this Clip System strap from Rios, but I own an ostrich Rios strap from their Art Manuel line. It was difficult to source but the quality is excellent. The Rios Arizona Clip don't appear to be Art Manuel / Hand Made, so I would expect the quality to be very good, but maybe not excellent.

https://www.watchobsession.co.uk/bl...as-a-new-favourite-strap-the-rios1931-arizona

For your watch, I would go with grey or blue to draw attention to the blued steel hands.

In terms of insurance, depends on what the watch is worth and how difficult it would be to add it to insurance. My homeowners insurance requires either a bill of sale or a written appraisal to add to a rider, so you might want to find out what your insurance requires and the cost/availability of an appraisal.
Edited:
 
Dan S
Posts
20,663
Likes
47,498
T thegingernuts
Wow you guys are really the fountain of information... very interesting too....
My final questions would be, what kind of strap would you recommend and is it something that I should consider insuring or is the value not that significant to worry...? cheers and best wishes to you all...
Tim

Are you happy with the width of the current strap, and if so, what is the width? Regarding insurance, I suspect that the value is within the normal limits for watches/jewelry on your existing homeowners/renters policy.
 
SkunkPrince
Posts
5,636
Likes
5,791
The Rios Clips I have used were of very good quality and no less than their other straps I have. If the length suits you, no reason not to.
 
Syrte
Posts
7,605
Likes
21,821
There are many nice vintage strap options on Ebay, with nice sellers in the UK. search for « watch strap fixed lug open end » and sift through….
In those days they didn’t have padded straps, straps were flat… pigskin straps have become quite rare but you might find other nice leathers.

As for wire lugs lasting into the 1930s, here’s another exampoe from a different brand, sold in 1932. I was quite surprised myself.
 
DDC08C2B-9C2E-4BC1-BBC9-7194DAFA4613.jpeg
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

D

Help identifying Omega Vintage

DBM55 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
padders
padders
Posts
1
Views
187
A

Omega vintage seamaster without "seamaster" on dial help?

Ace11 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
9
Views
445
W

Assessment on Omega Vintage Constellation 168.004 Arabic dial

watchboxed Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
W
watchboxed
Posts
10
Views
274
Art.

Help Identifying and Evaluating My Omega Vintage 2650

Art. Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
TexOmega
TexOmega
Posts
51
Views
2K
WatchMan24

Omega Vintage Watch Dial and Calibre combinations

WatchMan24 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
DaveK
DaveK
Posts
7
Views
804
Salvargio

Considering Purchasing this Omega Vintage watch for my wife, your thoughts please.

Salvargio Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Salvargio
Salvargio
Posts
2
Views
897