Vintage Omega Identification

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Hey everyone, I received this watch years ago from my grandfather when he passed. I don't know much about it sadly. Since then I've really gotten into watch collecting and was hoping someone could tell me anything about it. I'm afraid to take the back off but I know there should be some kind of identification on the movement.

Any help at all would be very much appreciated.
 
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Looks like a very nice Omega 2576 from the 1950s with a bumper movement, either a caliber 342 or 344. Taking off the caseback will let you get the reference number, the caliber number and the serial to date it more exact.

It looks like a nice original piece, and all it will need is a movement service and crystal polish!
 
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Looks like a very nice Omega 2576 from the 1950s with a bumper movement, either a caliber 342 or 344. Taking off the caseback will let you get the reference number, the caliber number and the serial to date it more exact.

It looks like a nice original piece, and all it will need is a movement service and crystal polish!

Awesome thank you for the reply! If you don't mind me asking a few more questions. Could taking off the back myself damage the watch? And do you think it's better to try to get all those scratches polished or get a new crystal?
 
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If you use a wrench incorrectly, it could mess up the notches. You could try one of these case remover balls for a few bucks.

If those are scratches, personally I would try to polish them out...they look pretty deep though. If they're cracks you have no choice but to replace it unless you want to keep it as-is!

 
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Ok, great. I am probably more concerned about messing up the movement since I am very green and don't really know much about watches yet. You've absolutely just made my day though and I'm going to look into that case ball. Thank you again!
 
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If you use a wrench incorrectly, it could mess up the notches. You could try one of these case remover balls for a few bucks.

If those are scratches, personally I would try to polish them out...they look pretty deep though. If they're cracks you have no choice but to replace it unless you want to keep it as-is!


Here's another picture of the scratches with better lighting to really show them also.
 
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If you’ve never tried it before, certainly do not attempted a pronged caseback opener on that lovely watch. As Kyle says, try a friction ball and if that doesn’t work, take it to a watchmaker.

I’d certainly try and revive that crystal. Polywatch is designed for the job but you can get decent results with other polishing compounds such as autosol or even toothpaste. If they’re real deep, wet and dry paper may be required first.
 
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Looks really, really nice under that crystal 👍


If they’re real deep, wet and dry paper may be required first.
I’ve started using sandpaper first just about every time I polish a crystal now.. it all goes much faster that way. But if you do, make sure you fully tape off the case to prevent scratches.
 
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what a great watch!

Looks really, really nice under that crystal 👍



I’ve started using sandpaper first just about every time I polish a crystal now.. it all goes much faster that way. But if you do, make sure you fully tape off the case to prevent scratches.

I'll plus 1 to seekingseaquest's comment, as I have done the same thing with great, fast results. Sand up to 2000 grit with 3M Wetordry, then buff. Hopefully you have scratches and not cracks!
 
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Welcome to the forum and that is a lovely watch! If they are just scratches, I've also had good results with Polywatch.
 
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Looks very nice. 👍

Removing the case-back is only for your curiosity, there is no practical reason that you need to do it. Many collectors accumulate a lot of tools and develop various levels of tinkering experience over the years, but you sound like you may be near the beginning of that process, and you might want to practice on a junk watch. If you do open it, just be careful not to let anything fall into the movement. If you are planning to have the watch serviced, you could just ask the watchmaker to take some photos when they open it.