...and now I'm wondering how to get inside... is it a glass off style or am I just being blind where to pop off the back. Obviously I can't leave the poor thing in this state and will have to get a replacement dial. Anyone want to guess the era and movement? it isn't an automatic..strap is original though

 

Heh, I had the same issue when wanting to open mine

Yours is a 132.019, which I also mentioned in your original post - here is my FS post: https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-132-019-w-box-original-strap-and-buckle.59954/

There is a small cut-out at around 10 o'clock on the rear of the watch where you should be able to get a case opener in to prise off the case back. It is not a front loader...

My example had been opened at one point and the case back had gotten turned, so the cut-out was at 3 o'clock - where the crown is

There is a cut-out on the side of the bezel, too. This is for removing bezel + crystal.

 

What that man said.

Just be sure not to use one of the lugs as a lever point to pry the caseback off. Some "watchmakers" position the notch adjacent to a lug to allow this, but the proper location is opposite the crown so the watch can be placed in a suitable holder crown down and there is no risk of levering against lugs or damaging the crown or stem.

Use a fine case knife to start the gap and graduate to a thicker blade and use a seesaw motion to get the gap bigger until the back pops.

Don't pry, just use the wedge principle to get an increasing gap.

 

Warning: never follow my advice.

When I've had really tight casebacks like this with no obvious way in, hold the watch in a nice leather cloth (chamois absorbs the blood really well) and ease a stanley knife blade (it's the thinnest blade I have) between the case and back. Don't twist, but rock it along the seem. As the gap opens, you can get a real opener in there.

 

Safety blade bit will do the job. Find opening, and slowly work your way around the case. Giving in to temptation and 'prizing' the caseback will leave a nice mark on the inside or a big scratch on the outside should you lose your grip.

AND DEFINITELY NO SCREWDRIVERS.

 

Thanks folks for your replies....ok so here is what we actually got:
Cal 611. Ref:131.019 on caseback, serial 22377xxx and adjusted to 2 positions-movement looks pretty good to my eyes. now to find a replacement dial...think I did ok for 175 Euros.

 

Good movement, not too shabby a price. Best of luck with the dial!

 

If you can find a dial for the right price I'd say you got a great deal. There is a thread that as started the other day about WatchCo ending their ebay sales. They may have a suitable dial in their ebay store available(potentially at a discount).

Best of Luck!!

-Jake

 

Someone could have replaced your case back - the 131.019 is a no-date version of the 132.019...

 

The dial will be tricky as there aren't a lot about -and it seems to be a tricky diameter, but I'm not in a rush....I could try somehow dissolving the paint job currently on as it's about as professional as it would have been using black nail varnish but likely I'll make a godawful mess....the crown appears to be that of a Seamaster 600 and the caseback from a Geneve model....If i do rebuild this Frankenstein it won't be to sell it - It'll be more for my calibre collection....

 

Omega still has dials available for this one...

064TT0754001 - silver, applied stick markers with black inserts/paint, with Geneve on the dial

064TT0754003 - same but without Geneve text

Cheers, Al

 

Thanks for that!

 

Do you happen to know if

would you have a link where I might order this part from...no joy at cousins uk..Thanks!

 

Since I would order it from Omega, I have no idea where it would be available on the open market...

Cheers, Al

 

You'll also need a correct tab.

 

Didn't spot that!! good eyes!