Thoughts on a potential acquisition: ref 101.009

Dear Omega enthusiasts!

While I have an obsession for watches since many years, I am totally new to the vintage watch space. I got the bug and I am now looking to acquire a vintage Omega with the cal 320/321.

I just tried the following ref 101.009 at a vintage dealer nearby and really liked it! Before I pull the trigger, I wanted to have your thoughts regarding below 3x points:

1) Original parts: does it look like dial, hands and case back are original?
2) Movement working: in some cases, the minute counter hand was jumping actually backwards (or remained on the spot)! The gentlemen mentioned he will have the watch revised (and the watch comes with a 1 year 'warranty'); is this indeed easily fixable or does it point to a bigger issue with the movement?
3) I know this model is not water / dust proof because of the pushers. But from your experience, is it OK to wear it (very carefully) outside without worrying that corrosion will immediately become present? I don't want to consider this watch as a museum piece! I am located in Germany.

Thank you so much for your advises!

Kind regards, Patrick

Everything looks good. I would buy it as-is and have my own Omega-authorized service take care of it. You never know who works on it when you leave it to the shop.

You don't have to be extra-careful just because it is not sealed, that just means it must be serviced more often because of it.

Thanks a lot! Super helpful & comforting! I will most likely take the plunge!

I thought that if the small hands are 'alpha type', then the big hands should be too (instead of baton-like)...

Also, if choosing to service with Omega directly, do you know if they would make the authenticity assessment directly with the service (e.g. movement parts) or is this something that is disconnected from the sheer servicing? I can't imagine them servicing parts that would not be original.

Thanks! Patrick

I have no time to research this at the moment, but isn’t that case a bit older type? This 320 is from early 1960s. Also dauphine hands were not so much used on newer models. I had one like this. Same reference.

Thank you! My biggest question mark right now is whether the running small second hand and the minute counter hand are original. I believe they should be also baton type.

Or the two bigger hands should also be dauphine style.

How could I know for sure? Omega extract from archive?

thank you! Patrick

Extract won't tell you what hands it should have. AFAIK. But, these hands look like from the 1950s.
https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-other-omega-st-101-0009

Here's one older model ref 2463. All hands are dauphine style.
Also, the markers are more dressy.

https://www.invaluable.com/auction-...omega-gentlemans-wristwatches-16-c-81af6e4050

Ok, thank you. But indeed, on the picture from the Omega website, it looks like the two small second + minute counter hands are also strait (and not alpha / baton)... How could I know for sure? Thanks!

@pmkarcher
it would appear that the watch you posted is a bit of an outlier.
I've found one other 101.009 with batten hour and minute hands and alpha sub-register hands - and one with one of each.
Both 101.009 '63s
(see below)
All the rest appear to have matching straight hands.

Alpha hands were used into the 60s on the 4-digit references, so it is just possible that Omega mixed and matched hands on early reference-change versions but I doubt you will be able to prove that unless numerous more examples show up.

Yeah, we can never be sure what exactly is original. When there are no historical posters or official images, these ca 60 years old chronographs could have mixed parts. As is this last photo posted above where there's 1940s style seconds hand on 1960s watch. Original? I want to say no, but who knows 😀

regarding wearing the watch
its often been said that these 'square-pusher' watches have no moisture or dust resistance - which is why so many turn up with degraded dials (and redials)
I (literally) check the weather forecast to make sure it is going to remain fine before considering wearing my pink 2872 - which is a PITA but I still wouldn't be without out it for all the tea in china.

You shouldn't post explicit images on this forum, man! 😀
What a beauty!