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Vintage Omega 610 (?) - advice and guidance gratefully received

  1. Bloss35 Apr 13, 2019

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    ***updated!!!***
    I went to a watch repairer who specialises in Rolex and Omega watches.

    I got him to open the back and I have attached the photos.

    I don’t really know what a lot means. I can see a 610 written there.

    The guy at the shop said it was worth about $1k but needed a service and a service is about $600 (im in Sydney,Aus).

    Is this usually what will be spent on a service? He said it was in good condition. I was a bit shocked at the service cost :( it’s so expensive.

    Is this what people usually pay?


    Hi Everyone,

    I have this beautiful Omega that I have inherited and I would dearly love to know more about it.
    I understand that if I were able to remove the back of the watch face it would contain codes, etc however I have a little toddler, so at the moment, getting to a proper place to take the back off is a little difficult (and I also work part time). I will try and get to a watch maker to take it off - but a starting point would be great!

    A little about the owner first. A gentleman of European origin (Croatian) who married a Latvian lady.
    If he were still alive, he would be around 90-95years of age. His wife would have been 90 this year. They did live in Australia from the mid 1940s onwards as they left their respective countries during the war time.

    The watch itself:
    Very simple, plain and elegant with black lines on the 12,3,6,9.
    33mm in diameter
    Gold casing
    Manual wind-up
    It has an Omega dial on the side to wind for date and time.
    Underneath the 6, right on the perimeter under the glass it says "swiss made".
    Watch strap is new, the one that belonged to the watch looked a little like snakeskin/crocodile material but it was very delicate and because of the age, quite worn (in good condition I suppose, but for me to wear it looked 'tired'). I understand value-wise I may have de-valued now? I don't mind as a nice new band looks fresh (for me anyways!).
    The face of the watch and the back are in good condition with not a lot of marks, scratches...
    Also, when I have tried to research, I notice a lot of "seamaster" watches, and I guess this isn't one of them. Did a seamaster start after a certain time?

    I guess this is all I can tell you.
    Please see attached for my pictures, and like I said, I'm genuinely just interested to know more about this watch and its background and if anyone can steer me in the right direction - I'd appreciate any assistance!
     
    7BA905C9-DA34-4204-B844-4B101470A939.jpeg A7A5A47B-8B0A-419F-8CC4-BB3E06D078CB.jpeg BC0B93E8-AD6C-463B-BD3C-A6DE6FD7F550.jpeg 6FDEB227-6301-452F-BCD8-EEDC69C56537.jpeg D7C43FCC-90E6-47CF-92FF-FC8883E5BA10.jpeg 6954624C-2576-4355-91C7-B0630D9B7964.jpeg CC5168A5-AE7D-4242-9A2A-A669492C7475.jpeg 884F1B04-3CF6-4E79-965B-AEBB074ADEA3.jpeg BD2F414A-ED39-40FA-B21F-BB466562A031.jpeg 276A83F1-70C5-45F0-99BE-C17301CE4055.jpeg
    Edited Apr 15, 2019
  2. omegastar Apr 14, 2019

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    Probably from the sixties with a cal. 611 inside, to know more you need to open the watch.
     
  3. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 14, 2019

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    At the moment, without being able to see all the "codes and numbers" it's simply a nice solid gold Omega date model from the mid 1960s or so.

    It looks to be in excellent condition and still has an original Omega crystal, and possibly onyx inlays on some markers, but better photos would be needed to confirm.

    If it hasn't been serviced in at least the last five years it should not be worn or operated until that's been done.

    As noted here, the secrets are all inside the case.
     
  4. padders Oooo subtitles! Apr 14, 2019

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    The watch is likely mid to late 60s or early 1970s but that is a modem dial design from the past 30 years or so. You can tell from the font. It was likely exchanged during a service. If we are guessing at movement I suggest the 613.
     
  5. Bloss35 Apr 15, 2019

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    Thanks so much for that guide!! It’s so good!!

    I don’t understand all the watch lingo and wether mine is all that special but it’s nice to be able to understand a bit better! I think mines in good condition too so thats a good start.

    I added some pictures to my post if you could give me your point of view on it?
     
  6. padders Oooo subtitles! Apr 15, 2019

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    Model 132.004. A bit earlier than some of us thought at circa 1963-4 based on the ~20m serial number. I could have sworn the dial text was too new to be original but they all look like that when I searched so it’s likely fine. The one linked below does look different but I still think it’s ok.

    https://www.omegawatches.com/watch-omega-other-omega-st-132-0004
     
    Edited Apr 15, 2019
  7. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 15, 2019

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    Very nice all round.

    As Padders said, a model reference 132.004. This type was also used as a presentation watch due to the unmarked caseback all ready to be engraved.

    Gold case was made for Omega by Serva S.A. of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

    If you wish to wear it and have it running it should be serviced. If you continue to run it you risk wearing out the gears and jewels (bearings) due to aged lubricant and dry pivots. These aparts are becoming harder to get nowdays and consequently, cost more than they used to if they need replacing.
    $600 sounds a bit high but even if you go direct to Omega you're looking at AUD$950.

    Omega Australia pricing:

    OSP.png
     
    Edited Apr 15, 2019
  8. Rochete Apr 15, 2019

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    That's at least double the "normal" price for a service of such a watch without parts replacement. The trick is to find the "normal" watchmaker.
     
  9. Bloss35 Apr 15, 2019

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    Thanks so much for all your help and your advice! I really appreciate the time you took to have a look at my watch. :)
     
  10. Bloss35 Apr 15, 2019

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    Ok will do. Surely I could get a better deal somewhere. I will keep trying. Thank you for getting back to me.
     
  11. Bloss35 Apr 15, 2019

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    Thanks so much for getting back to me!! And for the link - very similar I think!!
     
  12. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 15, 2019

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    You're not in Australia are you.

    Unfortunately, due to a declining population of decent watchmakers and an increasing need of their services, it's a case of supply and demand.

    AUD$600 isn't outrageous, but it is a bit high.
     
  13. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Apr 15, 2019

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    OP, have you tried Max Schweizer?

    https://maxswisswatch.com/index.html
     
  14. Rochete Apr 15, 2019

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    Nope.

    That'd be outrageous here (Spain) for such a watch.
     
  15. Bloss35 Apr 15, 2019

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    No I haven't had a chance. I don't get to the city very often but I might be able to swing it during my work break this week.
    I will check out the guys you mention.
    The guy I spoke to today in St Ives though - he had such a nice watch shop - so old school, you could tell he just loved clocks and watches...was really nice.