Which Omega is this?

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Cronos42

·Dec 11, 2021

My dad passed away recently and left me his watch. I have seen it in pictures when I was a baby, and I was born in November 1967. The back of the watch is metal-coloured (silvery) and does not have a single inscription. Not sure if it's original. The front only has the words "Omega" and "Automatic". I think the material might be gold (my mom always said "gold watch") but it may just be gold-plated. It has a Fixo-Flex bracelet.

My questions: Which Omega watch is this? And when was it produced or sold?

Thank you for your time.

 

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Davidt

·Dec 11, 2021

Genuine.
Gold plated/filled if it has a steel back.
Possibly a ref 166.003 from mid 60’s.

 

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Cronos42

·Dec 11, 2021

How can I tell if it's gold or gold-plated?

 

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watchyouwant

·Dec 11, 2021

Cronos42

How can I tell if it's gold or gold-plated?

Easy. Spend some $$$ and go to your local Watchmaker and have him open the back. That's what Watchmakers do. All Infos are inside your case back.

 

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Cronos42

·Dec 11, 2021

Thanks. This kinda obvious solution didn't occur to me. I didn't know the secrets of the watch would be on its inside ;-)
I've been helped enough, thanks!

 

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Gav1967

·Dec 11, 2021·Tend not to fret too much

Cronos42

How can I tell if it's gold or gold-plated?

9 or 18ct gold watches invariably have gold casebacks. Metal caseback will normally indicate gold plated/filled

 

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Cronos42

·Dec 11, 2021

I am not a native speaker of English, so what is the difference between gold and gold-filled, technically?

 

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Gav1967

·Dec 11, 2021·Tend not to fret too much

Cronos42

I am not a native speaker of English, so what is the difference between gold and gold-filled, technically?

Gold plated is a very fine gold layer applied over a base metal and can wear thin after years of use.
Gold filled is where sheets of gold are wrapped over the base metal and tends to be more robust.

 

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AtomicGrog

·Dec 11, 2021

Gav1967

Gold plated is a very fine gold layer applied over a base metal and can wear thin after years of use.
Gold filled is where sheets of gold are wrapped over the base metal and tends to be more robust.

And Gold being solid gold

 

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Cronos42

·Dec 11, 2021

Here's a bunch of other pics. It's gold-filled, the jeweler said, and it's ref 162.009. What do the codes on the actual clockwork mean? 563, 23060099? What does Carrure Lunette Plaque Or 6 20 Microns refer to?
Also...I have seen the Flixo-Flex wristband on other Omega pictures on the internet, but do you think this could have been bought with this watch originally? I can't remember my dad ever having had another wristband.
Thanks for your time.

 

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Davidt

·Dec 11, 2021

What do the codes on the actual clockwork mean? 563, - movement caliber

23060099 - movement serial number

What does Carrure Lunette Plaque Or 6 20 Microns refer to - thickness of the gold.

Also...I have seen the Flixo-Flex wristband on other Omega pictures on the internet, but do you think this could have been bought with this watch originally? Nope.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Dec 11, 2021

Davidt

I have seen the Flixo-Flex wristband on other Omega pictures on the internet, but do you think this could have been bought with this watch originally? Nope.

It wouldn't have come from the factory, but it's possible it was sold and installed at the original time of purchase

 

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Davidt

·Dec 11, 2021

sleepyastronaut

It wouldn't have come from the factory, but it's possible it was sold and installed at the original time of purchase

Yep true I guess.

It still wouldn’t save it from the bin!

 

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wilderbeast

·Dec 11, 2021

Sorry for your loss. This is a cool heirloom - a service and a smart black leather strap and this will make a lovely watch to remember your dad by.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Dec 11, 2021

Davidt

It still wouldn’t save it from the bin!

Not sure if you noticed, that bracelet was made in West Germany. That country doesn't exist anymore. It's literally a piece of history. I wouldn't advocate wearing the watch on a this bracelet, but keep the bracelet in your watch box.

 

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Davidt

·Dec 11, 2021

sleepyastronaut

Not sure if you noticed, that bracelet was made in West Germany. That country doesn't exist anymore. It's literally a piece of history. I wouldn't advocate wearing the watch on a this bracelet, but keep the bracelet in your watch box.

I think it’s stretching it (eh!) to call it a piece of history. I’m afraid it would still go in the bin at my house.

 

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sleepyastronaut

·Dec 11, 2021

Davidt

I think it’s stretching it (eh!) to call it a piece of history. I’m afraid it would still go in the bin at my house.

lol I see what you did there

 

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Dan S

·Dec 11, 2021

Condolences on your loss. The watch seems to be in good condition and should be a nice heirloom. If you plan to wear it regularly, it would be wise to have the movement serviced.

 

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SkunkPrince

·Dec 11, 2021

Davidt

Plaque Or 6 20 Microns.

PLAQUE OR G

That's 20 micron gold mechanically bonded. That thin, it's electroplate.

 

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TimeODanaos

·Dec 11, 2021

Condolences to you and your mother. But that is a nice watch, and I would not blame you for wanting to keep it and wear it, with or without your dad's bracelet.
Just tidying loose ends... I was a bit surprised your jeweler said gold filled - SkunkPrince is right, the words are French for gold plated, and that's what 20 microns is. You might notice some very tiny scratchings inside the case back, bottom right for example. Watchmakers used to leave these marks. This tells me that your dad held this watch in some regard, enough to have it serviced more than once. That will of course have been good for it - and perhaps there's a personal story too. The guys are saying get it serviced because even if all else is well, some lubricant oils might have dried over time and need replacement.
You asked about date, and the serial number 23 xxx xxx suggests about 1966, although the machinery may have sat in the factory for a while until it was put into its case, so it would be quite possible it was sold in 1967. Hey, maybe buying the watch was to celebrate you being born! 😁