Hello everyone,

This watch belonged to my grandfather, and I recently found it in his small collection. I was wondering if anyone can help identify the year or model number. What movements were used in these watches? I haven’t found anything similar to it online. Is it possible it’s a fake?

It is a manual wind. When the crown is turned, it runs for a minute, then stops. It also sounds like something might have broken off inside. Lacking any experience, I’m not going to attempt opening the case on my own, so I don’t have a picture of the movement. I will take it to a watchmaker or authorized dealer to repair it (assuming it’s genuine).

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

Early 50's and it's a bumper automatic. Caliber. Don't know until it's opened to check movement. Tuxedo dial with an old refinish

Have it cleaned by a educated watchmaker. Leave case and dial as is.

Nice old watch

DON

 

Looks later, 2848, cal 490.

 

Or cal 491 if ROW rather than USA market. I too think the caseback looks more 2848 than bumper 2766. The dial clearly has been refinished as already noted but not terribly and it still looks good on the wrist I would imagine. Year? Maybe 1955-58, so should be serial 15m-16m or thereabouts.

 

It is pretty easy to pop the back of the case off with a pen knife to take a look at the movement. But you should only do this if you feel comfortable. There are a number of YouTubes showing how this is done. Googling the movement number will help in finding info.

 

Just a word of caution when opening old watches with luminous material. You'll see luminous material on the dial and hands and, unless it's marked "Swiss T" or "T Swiss T" (as examples) to indicate Tritium, then you can't be sure it isn't radium. Radium is very nasty and the first person to open that watch in a while is taking the risk of breathing in a speck of radium and that can cause horrible illnesses.

It's up to you but, for a watch of this possible vintage, I would take it to a watchmaker to open. Apart from the risk of damaging the case, you might damage your health which is not so easily repaired!

Regards, Chris

 

Learn something every day. Thanks!

 

Thank you everyone for the great advice and insight!