Community Stories

Trying to ID this watch

D
Posts
10
Likes
3
Got a watch passed down to me from my dad, it belonged to my great grandfather, he bought it in like the 1930s (or somewhere around there). I'm just trying to find out more information on it and try and get it in for repairs it's currently not running.

I did some google reverse image searching and I've found the Baby Scarab looks similar but I haven't been able to find the exact watch face. I've also checked some archival sites and Omega's own catalogue to try and pinpoint the exact model but no luck as yet. There's no markings on the back of the case as I've found that watches of this vintage only had the markings on the inside and unfortunately no watch repair place in my area wants to even touch the watch when they find out the age of it. Any information or pointers people might have would be much appreciated.

thanks for all the help you all give to us noobs, it really makes a difference to know that there's support out there, even for something like a watch
Edited:
 
photo_4_2022-12-11_18-56-48.jpg
A
Posts
147
Likes
234
What is the size? Are there spring bars? What does the case back look like? It has the looks of a calibre 26.5, doesn't it?
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
no idea about the caliber it's on the small side though, maybe 5cm across? the strap bars are fixed (not spring bars) and there's no markings on the case back


*EDIT* I measured the diameter of the circular part of the watch body, it's just slightly under 3.5cm (1.4")
Edited:
 
Syzygy
Posts
1,210
Likes
3,905
The info you really need will be on the inside of the case back. Not sure where you live, but you should be able to find a competent watch maker to service it and get it up and running again. Looks like that minute hand got banged up and is possibly rubbing against the dial, which will scratch it up, so that needs to be sorted. It's a family piece, so IMHO, totally worth getting it serviced properly
 
mac_omega
Posts
3,554
Likes
7,591
from the dial design and shape of the hands it looks more like a cal 30 watch
 
UncleBuck
Posts
3,594
Likes
8,210
I think it's absolutely stunning!
See if you can get a competent person to open the back and get us the best photos that you can of the movement and the inside of the caseback.
What a treasure for the family and welcome to the forum!
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
UncleBuck UncleBuck
I think it's absolutely stunning!
See if you can get a competent person to open the back and get us the best photos that you can of the movement and the inside of the caseback.
What a treasure for the family and welcome to the forum!
thanks, like i said in my original post, all the watch repair places in my area literally "nope" when I tell them how old it is lol
 
UncleBuck
Posts
3,594
Likes
8,210
D Directive
all the watch repair places in my area literally "nope"
I guess they know their limitations!

Keep it dry, don't wind it or drop it. If you have access to a caliper, measure the outside of the case diameter, say from the 10 to 4.
Any hallmarks or stampings on the outside metal?

There are many very similar dials from about 1940 with the 30mm movement or perhaps the 23.4 or 26.5.
Yours has a spectacular "art deco" feel to the numerals that I love.

Be patient, hold it close and think of what the face of that watch has witnessed.
Getting it ticking again will be a ton of fun but has to be done right.

What parts are you from?
Edited:
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
as i've mentioned before in my other posts, case diameter is 3.5cm, there's no markings on the case back at all, it's smooth and it was bought in europe
 
Dan S
Posts
24,343
Likes
54,170
Identifying an old watch like this from photos on the internet is not always possible, even for people with encyclopedic knowledge. There were many many dial and hand variations, and when you talk about watches from the 40s (or possibly even late 30s in this case), they're not always so well documented. This particular watch will not have a model name, and it may not even have a real reference number. Fortunately, you really don't need that information in order to have it repaired, a good watchmaker will know what to do once they get it opened up and see what is there.

You may need to send it to someone who can repair it. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to find local watchmakers who are willing to work on old watches these days; it is becoming less common and more specialized. You can find recommendations in many other threads if you run a search. It's an appealing watch and obviously it has great sentimental value.
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
yeah I wasn't expecting 100% identification based on one picture of the face lol. I learned enough that I need to get into the case back for the actual information, like I said, the biggest problem is finding someone who would even touch the damned thing.
 
Bruce235
Posts
897
Likes
1,643
You can always ship it to a good watchmaker for repair. I don't think you said your location. You can get recommendations on this forum.

The watch world is a precise thing. A case diameter of 35.0mm vs 34.5mm vs 35.4mm means something to the experts here. So a precise measurement with calipers and a pic of the case back may yield more info.
 
bardamu
Posts
1,558
Likes
5,798
Very nice watch, it absolutely deserves to be restored.
The case is golden? Or gold plated?
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
bardamu bardamu
Very nice watch, it absolutely deserves to be restored.
The case is golden? Or gold plated?
couldn't tell you honestly
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
yeah lol, the case seems like it's a bit more "coppery" but that could be just because it's old and dingy



*EDIT* took a pic of the case back
Edited:
 
photo_9_2022-12-17_12-26-58.jpg
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
Small but significant update, found a local friend who is into servicing and repairing vintage watches and he took it on as a project; this watch has a 30t2 (15 jewels) movement and is from 1940 (serial number is 9XXXXXX, a little under halfway through the run).

looks clean af inside, no markings on the inside of the case back either and astoundingly it runs; I must have jostled it in my pocket or something because when I took it out it was running and my friend said it was only 30 seconds/ day fast... he oiled the top jewels and got it down to 20 seconds/ day.
Edited:
 
watchyouwant
Posts
5,598
Likes
9,424
Can you put more effort into taking better pictures in focus from the inside case back ? You want info's from us and we need pictures in focus. Oiling the cap stones might be nice, but if you want to wear it, have it dismantled and serviced. Which means to clean every mini part first ...
 
padders
Posts
10,451
Likes
16,345
D Directive
Small but significant update, found a local friend who is into servicing and repairing vintage watches and he took it on as a project; this watch has a 30t2 (15 jewels) movement and is from 1939 (serial number is 9XXXXXX, a little under halfway through the run).

looks clean af inside, no markings on the case back either and astoundingly it runs; I must have jostled it in my pocket or something because when I took it out it was running and my friend said it was only 30 seconds/ day fast... he oiled the top jewels and got it down to 20 seconds/ day.
9m serials ran from around 1939 to 1944 so if you want a more accurate date you’ll need the second and maybe third digit.
 
D
Posts
10
Likes
3
watchyouwant watchyouwant
Can you put more effort into taking better pictures in focus from the inside case back ? You want info's from us and we need pictures in focus. Oiling the cap stones might be nice, but if you want to wear it, have it dismantled and serviced. Which means to clean every mini part first ...
edited my update post, i meant to say that the inside of the case back has no markings; apologies. also that the actual manufacture date is 1940.
Edited:
 
3 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

R

ID this watch

RobbieSM Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Spruce
Spruce
Posts
1
Views
160
rikkifin.

Trying to ID this vintage model.

rikkifin. Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
PlanetExpress
PlanetExpress
Posts
1
Views
384
M

Trying to ID this omega watch

maxk777 Open Discussion
JimInOz
JimInOz
Posts
2
Views
376
japaul32

Trying to Identify Omega Wristwatch

japaul32 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
Dan S
Dan S
Posts
5
Views
377
G

Vintage Speedmaster, trying to identify

gpstar Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
G
gpstar
Posts
6
Views
381
DK13

Please help me ID this Diver 300

DK13 Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
DK13
DK13
Posts
11
Views
294