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Vintage Omega left form late Grandfather

Shumi
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Hello good people, my name is Shumi
My late grandfather left me his Omega Geneva watch, which has a broken reinforced glass and is having a little difficulty working. I would like some advice on whether it is possible to find reinforced glass, and I would like to know if it is possible to find out what year it is from. I'm new to this, but I would really like to restore the watch and preserve the memory of my grandfather. Thanks again for your time.
 
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Dan S
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A watchmaker should have no problem replacing the crystal. I think it's probably from about 1969, but to be more accurate, we'd need to see the serial number on the movement inside the watch.
 
Shumi
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Dan S Dan S
A watchmaker should have no problem replacing the crystal. I think it's probably from about 1969, but to be more accurate, we'd need to see the serial number on the movement inside the watch.
Ok i got it thank you very much you are very kind,
as soon as the watch is opened and I know the serial number, I will let you know.
Once again, thank you
 
X350 XJR
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Tell us where you are located someone should be able to recommend a watchmaker.
 
Spruce
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Hi Shumi, and welcome to OF.

I’m sorry to say that it’s a mess - but you know that - and that it is a potential money pit.

As @Dan S posts, it’s probably a 1969-1972 watch.
It’s got a manual wind movement - probably a calibre 601.
Whilst the hour and seconds hands look correct, unless it’s the angle of your photo, the minute hand is incorrect and you’d probably want to replace it like the one in the eBay photo I’ve lifted for you to compare.

IMG_2931.jpeg


The crown on your watch looks like an incorrect replacement.

And the dial has excessive patina and has probably age/water ingress damage.

The good news is that you can probably get a watchmaker who can service the watch, replace the crystal with an inexpensive generic crystal (which is a standard practice) and clean the case and source a replacement hand/hands and crown.

You should bear in mind that that is likely to cost around £300, depending upon where you are and, at the end of it all, your watch will look better, run better but be worth around £250 on todays market - if you’re lucky.

Still, it’s an heirloom and you can’t easily put a price on that.
 
p_rover
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Spruce Spruce
unless it’s the angle of your photo, the minute hand is incorrect and you’d probably want to replace it l
I think it's only a light reflection in the pic. The minute hand looks correct to me.
Uncorrect or very worn crown for sure.
Also, the dial should come up pretty good after a crystal replacement.

You definitely should bring it to a good watchmaker and give it a good clean and service to honour the memory of your grandfather, IMHO.
 
Spruce
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If the hands are okay, it’s no big job for your watchmaker to clean them
 
Pastorbottle
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Yeah gist it scrubbed up a wear it on the old boy’s birthday, like I do with dad’s watch
 
JimInOz
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p_rover p_rover
I think it's only a light reflection in the pic. The minute hand looks correct to me.
Uncorrect or very worn crown for sure.
Also, the dial should come up pretty good after a crystal replacement.

You definitely should bring it to a good watchmaker and give it a good clean and service to honour the memory of your grandfather, IMHO.

From my look at the photos.
The hour hand is a baton with lume.
The minute hand is a leaf without lume.
 
p_rover
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JimInOz JimInOz
From my look at the photos.
The hour hand is a baton with lume.
The minute hand is a leaf without lume.
take a closer look and you'll see the end of the baton in the minute hand. 😉
upload_2024-5-17_11-44-35.png
 
JimInOz
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You may be right there, if so, good news for the OP.
 
Winston_Smith
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First of all, sorry for your loss. Glad that you will have a memorablia from your grandfather which you can keep close.
All above + I think the dial has a dark, sticky substance all around. You may be able to clean it with a damp (not very wet) soapy cloth BUT I would leave the hardwork to the watchmaker. As someone who has been there and still not too far from it, I know what an enthusiast with incapable hands can do to vintage pieces - even a simple wipe can cause anywhere from oxidation to permanent stains.
 
Larry S
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Winston_Smith Winston_Smith
First of all, sorry for your loss. Glad that you will have a memorablia from your grandfather which you can keep close.
All above + I think the dial has a dark, sticky substance all around. You may be able to clean it with a damp (not very wet) soapy cloth BUT I would leave the hardwork to the watchmaker. As someone who has been there and still not too far from it, I know what an enthusiast with incapable hands can do to vintage pieces - even a simple wipe can cause anywhere from oxidation to permanent stains.
No … Don’t do anything yourself. Take this to a competent watchmaker. Attempts to clean dials usually end badly.
 
Shumi
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I thank everyone for their time and advice. this is the best my local watchmaker could do. he obviously couldn't clean the watch, well he says he can't. crown replaced and clock serviced inside. now it works fine
 
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JimInOz
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I think that the best outcome you could have hoped for. Any attempt to clean. that dial would have (99.97%) resulted in it being ruined.
As it is now, you can look at the same watch that your grandfather was used to seeing.
 
Syrte
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Well done, and I’m sure the dial also looks much better in real life due to the sheen of the varnishes. I have a watch with a very faded dial but it has a wonderful silvery glow and I really like to wear it.

Congrats on reviving your grand pas watch.
Here’s a picture of the one I’m referring to.

Maybe you can do like I did, and find a distressed strap which will match the worn look of the watch and it might become a fashion statement 😉
 
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Larry S
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Shumi Shumi
I thank everyone for their time and advice. this is the best my local watchmaker could do. he obviously couldn't clean the watch, well he says he can't. crown replaced and clock serviced inside. now it works fine
I think it looks great. The dial patina is relatively even and pleasant to look at. Enjoy an heirloom watch.
Edited:
 
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