Omega watch circa 1950s?

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

Hi there,
My father passed away quite recently and this watch was handed down to me. It's rather lovely, but however hard I look at Omega images on the internet, I can't find a match. There are similar watches (the Genève?) circa 1954, but my father's watch has a striking simplicity that I've not seen elsewhere. There's a 375 hallmark, so that makes it 9k gold (rose gold, I think).
If anyone has any thoughts, I'd be extremely grateful.
Ed

 

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ConElPueblo

·Aug 27, 2021

Hi Edward, welcome to OF.

The reason why you cannot find a similar model is that the dial has been cleaned heavily at some point and all print as well as the dial plate finish has been cleaned off. It could well have been marked as a Genève originally.

The 9k marking shows that it is an English produced watch, which was a common thing in 1950s Britain where import duties on gold cases made local production a smarter choice.

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

ConElPueblo

Hi Edward, welcome to OF.

The reason why you cannot find a similar model is that the dial has been cleaned heavily at some point and all print as well as the dial plate finish has been cleaned off. It could well have been marked as a Genève originally.

The 9k marking shows that it is an English produced watch, which was a common thing in 1950s Britain where import duties on gold cases made local production a smarter choice.

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

Wow. What a disasterous cleaning job. I find it difficult to imagine that happening. My father was not the kind to go to some cowboy restorer. He always did things 'by the book' not that I'm discounting your explanation.

The watch works beautifully in spite of it not having been serviced in many years. I guess I'll pay someone to give it a bit of love so I can wear it from time to time. I can't imagine it's worth selling...

Thanks very much for your thoughts,

Ed

 

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size11s

·Aug 27, 2021

I reckon it could be this with, as already said, a stripped dial, you can just see traces of the cross hair at the Omega logo. So early '50's perhaps. Image taken from the internet.

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

Yes, it's very similar. Thanks.

 

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size11s

·Aug 27, 2021

As an heirloom it's a good candidate for a redial, imo. Shouldn't be too expensive in the grand scheme of things.

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

Yes. It's a lovely thing. Would I do this through Omega in London? Or are there other restorers? (Perhaps not the fella who scratched off the face )

 

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size11s

·Aug 27, 2021

You could ask Omega, or you could ask David Bill & Sons who are in London. I have never had a dial refinished so please don't consider this a recommendation. There are a few dial refinishers around if you google them.

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

Thanks for that

 

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ConElPueblo

·Aug 27, 2021

size11s

I reckon it could be this with, as already said, a stripped dial, you can just see traces of the cross hair at the Omega logo. So early '50's perhaps. Image taken from the internet.

To make it even more apropos this is in fact a redial 😀

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

Just spoke to Chris at David Bill & Sons. Nice chap. I might go down the 'redial' route... having said that, the stripped down, minimilist look of my dad's knackered watch is rather special. I wouldn't want to add too much detail. It has charm as it is.

 

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padders

·Aug 27, 2021·Oooo subtitles!

D Bill are very good but not perfect. Also search on V Soni who do good redial work in the UK (if that is not an oxymoron). Be aware that neither will be perfect or undetectable, it will still look like a redial to an expert, but a good one.

Troels is as ever spot on and the OP watch is a Dennison cased Geneve from the mid-late 1950s. Here is another, this time with original dial, Tony will be along in a minute to tell me mine is shit because the lugs are worn but the dial is what matters here..:

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

That looks very close (albeit with hairier wrists than mine). I'm necessarily not looking for authenticity in a restoration. Beauty will suffice...

 

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padders

·Aug 27, 2021·Oooo subtitles!

E EdwardHardy

That looks very close (albeit with hairier wrists than mine). I'm necessarily not looking for authenticity in a restoration. Beauty will suffice...

I'll take one for the team and reach for the Immac if you need a epilated pic but lets hope that wont be necessary! If you need a full face pic just ping me and I will take one but that watch is currently not to hand..

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 27, 2021

No don't do that. We guys just need to love ourselves for who we are, wrists included. (Or else just buy a chunky Rolex to cover them up.)

 

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Syrte

·Aug 27, 2021

Welcome @EdwardHardy, sorry for your father’s passing.
Collectors preferences set aside, I kind of agree with you the dial has a beautiful simplicity to it as it is now.
Considering that redials are really difficult to do well, I would keep it as it is and get it serviced.

I know someone who had their late father’s watch redialed, and the result is horrendous.
At least yours is now the way it was when your father used it, why spend for an unpredictable result?
You found it lovely before you were told it was cleaned,
stick to what your gut tells you, do not worry about experts opinions, just get it serviced and enjoy it for what it is, a nice heirloom that’s a high quality timekeeper.

Edited: Aug 27, 2021

 

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Dan S

·Aug 27, 2021

E EdwardHardy

Wow. What a disasterous cleaning job.

Well, who knows? If there was water intrusion, the original dial may have become very unappealing, and perhaps the cleaning made it more wearable for your father.

As for repainting the dial, it is entirely a matter of personal preference. In the big picture, a re-dial is not terribly expensive, so if you are really unhappy with it, you can always return the dial to its current state. With an heirloom piece especially, I think you should make your choice entirely based on what will make you more happy. After all, you will never sell it.

 

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EdwardHardy

·Aug 29, 2021

Some really thoughtful responses. I'm touched by all these comments. It's very strange to be in possession of this watch. I suppose really my feeling is one of sadness, that I can't talk to my dad about this beautiful piece, and find out what his memories are of it, how it came into his possession, and even damaged... What Dan and Syrte have posted is kind and very thoughtful. It's strange, because often we want to restore things, make them shiny and new, even worth something. But of course, with an heirloom such as this, it's worth so much just as it is. And if it were changed, it would possibly look like a completely different thing, perhaps in a better way, but also perhaps in a way which would make it look alien and strange. Thanks all.

 

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gbesq

·Aug 29, 2021

Hi Edward. I’ve attached a photo of my 1959 Geneve reference 2903 to give you an idea of what an original dial and an unpolished case should look like. Instead of redialing your father’s watch, another option may be to look for a “donor” watch with an original dial that can be swapped out. Sometimes you can find such a watch on eBay or similar sites that is in non-working condition or being sold for “parts only.” Not easy to find, but certainly possible.