Hi everyone, I received this Omega at the weekend, it was my Grandad's. It's still keeping perfect time after many years in my Mum's bedside drawer! I want to get it fully restored, any recommendations for the Manchester/Cheshire area? Does anyone know what model it is and its approximate age? I think it's early 1950s. Realistically how good can I get the dial and hands cleaned up? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Alistair.

 

I would have thought that it's older than the early '50s.

 

AUTOMATIC, eh? I'd like to see the insides of that one!

 

Hi Alistair,

You know the old adage "SISO".

We can give you much more information if you give us as much as you can.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/vintage-omega-posting-guide.383/

 

I used to have a very similar watch inherited from a great uncle of mine. My grandfathers brother. Unfortunately someone Pm'd me and bought it from me before I got it restored so I never got to get the full details on the watch.

Best of luck.

 

Dennis alludes to an older watch that has been redialed and doesn't necessarily contain the appropriate and advertised "automatic".

Redialed style is 30T2 , case seems late 40's early 50's, What shall we find on that caseback and inside? (assuming the caseback is appropriate to this watch)

 

It always amazes me how much grandparents and uncles tampered with their watches.

 

@alorimer82 It is part of you family history wear it with pride.

 

If you like it, get it serviced by a watchmaker who knows vintage Omegas .... and when he opens the watch take very clear close up pictures of the movement inside and both sides of the case back ..... then you'll be shocked about what these guys know.

The movement will probably look like this ....

 

Back in those days, redials were part of a normal service. Nobody cared how much it would be worth in 50 years to a bunch of anal OCD collectors.

 

Hi everyone and thanks for your responses, in terms of more info what else can I provide other than additional photos? I don't want to remove the case back myself.

I've had a quote from prestigetimeservices.co.uk for £360 to do the following:

"a full service of the movement, new mainspring,
replace worn movement parts, regulation, steam clean of the case/bracelet,
new plexi glass and test is £300 + vat including warranty. All parts
supplied and fitted are genuine manufacturers’ parts."

Is this reasonable?

Are some people saying that this might not be the original dial?

Should I get the appearance restored or leave it as is?

 

Fair price I'd say if the watchmaker knows his stuff. I'd be tempted, were this in my hands to discuss a light dial clean up, if he thinks he can do no harm. In the wrong hands this sometimes ends in tears. Others may have a different view.

 

Is it generally ok to get a dial cleaned so long as it doesn't tamper with the markings etc?

 

I will quote again:

 

The danger is erasing the markings and bleaching out the dial. A little patina is nice. This looks dirty. All depends on trust and judgement. I'd not hesitate to have this discussion with the shop I use but they specialize in restoration. I'd never give this to a strip mall battery changer.

 

Hi Larry, thanks for your advice, when you say that it looks dirty do you mean that by getting it cleaned it will improve the appearance rather than actually attempting to restore the dial?

 

exactly light clean only ... but if there is a danger of ruining the dial leave it be.

 

And here is a watchmaker POV.

 

Okay thanks Larry.