Vintage Omega Daily Driver?

OptionZ · Oct 13, 2020

I repaired some old watches from my dad. I would wear those only very carefully due to the heirloom aspect.

But now I am interested in vintage Omega watches, especially ones from the 40s. If I got one, I would like to wear it more as an everyday watch.

If I got a 1940's Omega watch fixed up, would it be suitable for use as a daily driver?
I love the look, but much of the attraction to watches is the function.

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/omega-automatic-vintage-watch-bumper-caliber--id16136899.htm

connieseamaster · Oct 13, 2020

I'd be very worried about water resistance, even wearing it in the rain, as cases this old often have little to none

TexOmega · Oct 13, 2020

And if it had shock protection.

Iceter · Oct 13, 2020

Sounds like a perfect case for a nice looking redial with little collector value. Wear it and don’t worry so much about it. Plus, 99% of the people who see it won’t know its not original.

Dan S · Oct 13, 2020

Yes, it could work, as long as you don't mind being careful with it, and having it maintained properly. But as mentioned above, if you can find one with a shock-resistant movement, and at least a modestly water-resistant case, it will be easier to care for. These features existed in the 1940s, but were more common in the 1950s.

The watch you linked does have a water-resistant case, and if the seals were replaced, it might be somewhat water-resistant, but you would still want to avoid getting it wet (even when washing hands). And certainly some cal 351 movements had Incabloc shock protection. I don't know if they all did, and the movement is not shown for that watch.

OptionZ · Oct 13, 2020

Iceter
Sounds like a perfect case for a nice looking redial with little collector value. Wear it and don’t worry so much about it. Plus, 99% of the people who see it won’t know its not original.

Thats a great point. Something to think about. I actually have a Baltic watch now which looks great, but i am feeling the itch for something a little more real...

Maybe Ill try to talk this redone watch price down..

https://www.chrono24.com/omega/redo...ind--id13884772.htm?SETLANG=en_US&SETCURR=USD

OptionZ · Oct 21, 2020

So I dug in a little about Incablock. Thank you. Im also looking at other brands of the 1940s to early 1950s era:Longines, Zenith, Eterna, Omega, Cyma, Marvin.

Between these brands were some seen as more reliable than others?

Dan S · Oct 21, 2020

OptionZ
So I dug in a little about Incablock. Thank you. Im also looking at other brands of the 1940s to early 1950s era:Longines, Zenith, Eterna, Omega, Cyma, Marvin.

Between these brands were some seen as more reliable than others?

I'm not as familiar with Marvin, but the the first four are all top-notch. Cyma is a bit less well-known, but still a very good brand.

OptionZ · Oct 21, 2020

I have a 1960 Eterna that runs great. Problem is, I had to do it myself; 2 local watchmakers sort of gave up on it. (and charged). From my internet reading, I don't get the feeling the company is supporting their old watches.

My father's vintage Omega was recently serviced by Omega-Switzerland. They did a great job. Expensive, though. And the vintage watches are maybe 2x other watches from the period.

Somehow I have grown an affinity for this time period, and I think the sizes are good too. If I get this next job, I;m gonna pull the trigger!

Thank you for the advice.

Davidt · Oct 22, 2020

As long as you're careful there's no problem wearing a vintage watch as a daily.

My daily watch until very recently was a one owner Ed White Speedmaster. I probably wore it 4-5 days a week, with other watches in rotation for the other 2-3 days.

It was serviced and I was careful washing my hands, in the rain etc and never wore it to the beach or anything, but apart from that I had no issues.

SkunkPrince · Oct 22, 2020

I wear “trench” watches regularly and have never taken any more care with them than any modern watch. They’re not really all that delicate when you have an office job. Shoot a gun, wash the dishes, you’re fine.

krogerfoot · Oct 22, 2020

Your trusted watchmaker, to whom you will hand over any vintage watch you buy for service, will let you know whether the piece is water-resistant enough for daily wear. That's pretty much the extent of commentary I get from mine—"keep it out of the rain and you're good to go" is the most dire remark I've ever gotten, usually because the crown bushing is worn out. Unless you have a physically challenging job, the biggest danger your watch faces is getting dinged by a metal doorframe.

SkunkPrince · Oct 22, 2020

Smacked my Omega trench against a door handle at the store, and broke the glass crystal. The rest of the watch survived.

OptionZ · Oct 22, 2020

Davidt
As long as you're careful there's no problem wearing a vintage watch as a daily.

My daily watch until very recently was a one owner Ed White Speedmaster. I probably wore it 4-5 days a week, with other watches in rotation for the other 2-3 days.

It was serviced and I was careful washing my hands, in the rain etc and never wore it to the beach or anything, but apart from that I had no issues.

Though, to be fair, the Speedmaster was known as an exceptionally tough watch.

JwRosenthal · Oct 22, 2020

SkunkPrince
I wear “trench” watches regularly and have never taken any more care with them than any modern watch. They’re not really all that delicate when you have an office job. Shoot a gun, wash the dishes, you’re fine.

Same- I am just very conscious about keeping hands at a downward angle when washing, not splashing too much etc- it becomes second nature. I did get caught in a horrible summer thunderstorm recently while on a day trip to Philly (day started sunny and mild), while wearing a 40's snap-backed chrono (might as well have open holes where the pushers are). I put it in my shoulder bag which does have some waterproof protection inside. I was soaked down to my underwear, but the watch was fine.

SkunkPrince · Oct 22, 2020

If I know it's going to rain I might wear a modern Omega or similar but most of the time I'm wearing some sort of jacket and generally a water-resistant (heh) one, so the watch is usually covered.

OptionZ · Oct 22, 2020

SkunkPrince
Smacked my Omega trench against a door handle at the store, and broke the glass crystal. The rest of the watch survived.

BTW, I love your avatar Omega

SkunkPrince · Oct 22, 2020

OptionZ
BTW, I love your avatar Omega

Thanks! CK 2390 with a 30T2 movement. Also not water-resistant nor shock-protected. 😁

OptionZ · Oct 22, 2020

krogerfoot
Your trusted watchmaker, to whom you will hand over any vintage watch you buy for service, will let you know whether the piece is water-resistant enough for daily wear. That's pretty much the extent of commentary I get from mine—"keep it out of the rain and you're good to go" is the most dire remark I've ever gotten, usually because the crown bushing is worn out. Unless you have a physically challenging job, the biggest danger your watch faces is getting dinged by a metal doorframe.

My professional job is just typing on a keyboard. At home (where I work these days) I have 12 and 16 year old boys and a dog, so there is the occasional ambush Nerf gun battle, football to catch, or loose dog.

I am looking for a good watchmaker. I'd rather not send out, but I will if I have to. I have had bad luck with two: one in Hong Kong, one in SF Bay Area. Good luck with Grand Central Watches in NYC (sent in the mail). I am located in SF Bay.

SkunkPrince · Oct 22, 2020

I can definitely recommend Nesbitt's in Seattle. At least it's short-ish trip? I mailed my watch from the Milwaukee area there and they mailed it back.

Vintage Omega Daily Driver?

OptionZ

connieseamaster

TexOmega

Iceter

Dan S

OptionZ

OptionZ

Dan S

OptionZ

Davidt

SkunkPrince

krogerfoot

SkunkPrince

OptionZ

JwRosenthal

SkunkPrince

OptionZ

SkunkPrince

OptionZ

SkunkPrince

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