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What’s this worth……My dads watch :(

t.barber
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My dad passed away last year and i found a watch at the back of his drawer.

It’s a 1952 Jumbo, sweeping secondhand , raised solid gold hands and 3D markers at 3, 6, 9 12 original winder never cleaned, or polished. It just ran for 40 hours with first wind in at least 20 years. Original maroon clam shell box and beautiful warm gold patina on the dial. I am no watch expert but its seems rare to me. I researched to find out more and it’s a non-radium dial. Strap is a replacement and non correct as is the buckle. Everything else untouched. Never polished. Has original winder from 1952 with correct raised logo. Please suggest specialist to clean and oil movement with no other work/cleaning.

According to AI there may be less than 50 left in the world untouched like this and i want to preserve its history and service it without making a mistake and changing something that shouldn’t be. I am in Milton Keynes Uk

I know this is rare watch as I cannot find anything like it on the internet…….signed up for you all to help me secure a good legacy for my late fathers watch and wear it from time to time…….all advise welcome please thankyou!! I would like to understand value to ensure correct insurance value please……Not considering sale at this time but would love help please on this era of vintage Omegas and really hope you can help and advise to retain its originality and get what i suspect would be its first ever service!!

Thank-you all in advance

Tim

IMG_5778.webp IMG_5777.webp IMG_5776.webp IMG_5775.webp IMG_5771.webp IMG_3491.webp IMG_5766.webp IMG_5765.webp IMG_3480.webp IMG_3477.webp IMG_3474.webp IMG_3476.webp IMG_3451.webp IMG_3450.webp IMG_3455.webp IMG_3454.webp
 
t.barber
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I just bought the original case from ebay based on AI suggestion hence the strange image. It did not have any case or pictures and believe my grandparent bought my dad this watch in 1952 as a present for doing so well at university - other than that I doing know any more information Thanks for any constructive input into its history/style and Rarity……..previous post is info fromAI by me sending it images so I just re typed what it told me about the type of watch it is ……thanks in advance
 
Davidt
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Commiserations.

Regarding the watch, it’s a nice vintage Omega but not rare or hugely valuable. I’d guess around £450.
Ignore the AI nonsense.
 
SOG53
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Greetings

Your watch looks like an original Omega hand winding watch, possibly reference 2640 from early 50s.

It is not rare but it’s a nice vintage watch. Of course it’s one of a kind heirloom for you as your dads watch.

To identify you should take to a watchmaker who has tools to open caseback and reference info is inside Caseback and movement cal info and serial number will give date range. Take good focused closeup photos of inside.

The dial has some degradation with spotting common for watch of its age. It may have had some moisture intrusion at some point.

There is ( or was) radium lume on the indices in the little recess on the wider end. Also in slots in hands. If you shine UV light in dark you will see the glow which will instantly disappear when you turn off light.

Find independent watchmaker with Onega parts account who will provide movement clean and service with sensitivity to preserve vintage charm.: No attempt to clean dial that may destroy it. No machine polishing case. Keep original hands

I would not wind or wear it until service. Old oils all dried out and may damage parts.

The dial spotting brings down the value quite a bit and we don’t know condition inside so hard to say value right now. But definitely worth servicing do you can wear it IMO.

You have a lovely heirloom here. Sorry for your loss
Welcome to OF!
 
Dan S
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Condolences for your loss. It's a nice heirloom to remember your father by. Looks like a nice honest vintage Omega.
 
JimInOz
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Sorry to hear about your Dad.
We all know that we have to go at some time, but knowing doesn't make it any easier.
The watch will be a nice reminder of him, knowing that he looked at that dial all the time, just as you'll do when you wear it.

A competent watchmaker would be able to provide more identification details when the case is opened. I would have the watch serviced but no polishing or tarting up.

The case is not contemporary with the watch, more for a ladies watch I suspect, but it'll suffice for somewhere to keep it safe when you're not wearing it.
 
Davidt
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I’d suggest reaching out to Mitka (Google for details) for servicing. You’ll need to post but he’s in the UK
 
TexOmega
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ai musta gone on a bender prior to logging on and answering your inquiry. It produced sheer nonsence.


Sorry for your loss, and a very nice heirloom.
 
t.barber
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SOG53 SOG53
Greetings

Your watch looks like an original Omega hand winding watch, possibly reference 2640 from early 50s.

It is not rare but it’s a nice vintage watch. Of course it’s one of a kind heirloom for you as your dads watch.

To identify you should take to a watchmaker who has tools to open caseback and reference info is inside Caseback and movement cal info and serial number will give date range. Take good focused closeup photos of inside.

The dial has some degradation with spotting common for watch of its age. It may have had some moisture intrusion at some point.

There is ( or was) radium lume on the indices in the little recess on the wider end. Also in slots in hands. If you shine UV light in dark you will see the glow which will instantly disappear when you turn off light.

Find independent watchmaker with Onega parts account who will provide movement clean and service with sensitivity to preserve vintage charm.: No attempt to clean dial that may destroy it. No machine polishing case. Keep original hands

I would not wind or wear it until service. Old oils all dried out and may damage parts.

The dial spotting brings down the value quite a bit and we don’t know condition inside so hard to say value right now. But definitely worth servicing do you can wear it IMO.

You have a lovely heirloom here. Sorry for your loss
Welcome to OF!
Thankyou for the kind words and help.

May i ask a few questions please….

It’s definitely not a Radium dial as there are no notches in the markers, until it’s opened i do not know the serial number or calibre reference at this stage.
If it’s fairly common why can i not find one image of the same watch on the internet? As mentioned it’s never been polished or messed with and retains its original winder which again I cannot find an image of. I am nervous of going to a specialist as i did this 8 months ago and they told me it was worth £85. Like I said i cannot find anything similar online , i want to do right by the watch so i can wear it. Specialist told me today it’s £560 for a service and a 6 month wait ……Then i need to pay extra for strap and buckle. As mentioned I am keeping the watch and would love to understand its history, type etc so i can make correct without spoiling it. Does the spotting and patina on the dial make it less valuable ? I would think originality makes it a better watch. Again i dont care about value, for me it’s about provenance, correctness etc. Is ther somewhere I could get an original manual / papers please. Thanks again and sorry to ask silly questions
 
t.barber
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TexOmega TexOmega
ai musta gone on a bender prior to logging on and answering your inquiry. It produced sheer nonsence.


Sorry for your loss, and a very nice heirloom.
Thanks for your kind words and yes AI turned out to be having a bad day!!!
 
t.barber
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TexOmega TexOmega
ai musta gone on a bender prior to logging on and answering your inquiry. It produced sheer nonsence.


Sorry for your loss, and a very nice heirloom.
Thanks you for the kind words and I shall be wearing this daily once sorted!
 
t.barber
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Davidt Davidt
I’d suggest reaching out to Mitka (Google for details) for servicing. You’ll need to post but he’s in the UK
Thankyou
 
t.barber
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Dan S Dan S
Condolences for your loss. It's a nice heirloom to remember your father by. Looks like a nice honest vintage Omega.
Thankyou for the kind words
 
t.barber
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JimInOz JimInOz
Sorry to hear about your Dad.
We all know that we have to go at some time, but knowing doesn't make it any easier.
The watch will be a nice reminder of him, knowing that he looked at that dial all the time, just as you'll do when you wear it.

A competent watchmaker would be able to provide more identification details when the case is opened. I would have the watch serviced but no polishing or tarting up.

The case is not contemporary with the watch, more for a ladies watch I suspect, but it'll suffice for somewhere to keep it safe when you're not wearing it.
Thankyou for the help and kind words
 
t.barber
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Dan S Dan S
Condolences for your loss. It's a nice heirloom to remember your father by. Looks like a nice honest vintage Omega.
Thankyou for the kind words
 
SOG53
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t.barber t.barber
It’s definitely not a Radium dial as there are no notches in the markers
t.barber t.barber
If it’s fairly common why can i not find one image of the same watch on the internet
t.barber t.barber
it. Does the spotting and patina on the dial make it less valuable ? I would think originality makes it a better watch
Look in this little triangle this is where lume would be. If you find UV light you can see it if it’s there
IMG_6430.webp


Google Omega 2640 and you will see dials very similar/same as yours. I’m not certain yours is ref 2640 that would be confirmed inside Caseback. Here is my 2639 which differs with a subdial seconds but you can see same dial details. You can also see lume in the little triangle of indices.
IMG_7437.webp


There are 2 things about dial that are valued, originality and condition. If dial is both original and in excellent condition ( little to no patina, damage) then it increases value. An original dial with lots of patina or damage is valued less. Yours is that.

Hope this is helpful

Read this thread for further guidance on how to assess vintage watch.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish-a-guide-not-for-enquiries.52603/ Cover Image
Thread 'Learn How To Fish - A Guide - Not For Enquiries' ·
I have had a few newer members asking me for advice on how to spot a good vintage watch and what they should be on guard for. I've decided to post a little primer on how to assess vintage watches...
ConElPueblo ·
 
t.barber
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SOG53 SOG53
Look in this little triangle this is where lume would be. If you find UV light you can see it if it’s there
IMG_6430.webp


Google Omega 2640 and you will see dials very similar/same as yours. I’m not certain yours is ref 2640 that would be confirmed inside Caseback. Here is my 2639 which differs with a subdial seconds but you can see same dial details. You can also see lume in the little triangle of indices.
IMG_7437.webp


There are 2 things about dial that are valued, originality and condition. If dial is both original and in excellent condition ( little to no patina, damage) then it increases value. An original dial with lots of patina or damage is valued less. Yours is that.

Hope this is helpful

Read this thread for further guidance on how to assess vintage watch.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/learn-how-to-fish-a-guide-not-for-enquiries.52603/ Cover Image
Thread 'Learn How To Fish - A Guide - Not For Enquiries' ·
I have had a few newer members asking me for advice on how to spot a good vintage watch and what they should be on guard for. I've decided to post a little primer on how to assess vintage watches...
ConElPueblo ·
Thank-you, mine is chamfered and not notched…..nothing glows under my iPhone torch light not even the hands. Will have agood read thankyou again tim
 
elephantcage
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I'd be thrilled to have that watch from my dad. Keep it. You'll be glad you did some time down the road. Give it to your son, daughter, etc. Insurance is probably overkill. It's not going to make you rich...not even for a day.
 
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