Benjamin sent me this watch that was passed on to him by his grandmother, but nobody in the family knows who actually wore the watch. It doesn’t work, so let’s get going!
A first look inside – one of the case screws is missing, but apart from that, it’s looking good.
The gear train. All is looking well.
No wonder the watch didn’t work – the mainspring is broken.
Everything taken apart, and ready for cleaning.
The new mainspring goes into the barrel.
The caps of the balance jewels get a slight amount of oil and are then secured with the shock spring. I use a modified oiler to close the shock springs. 
The bottom plate is coming together. The movement is in great shape, and I don’t think it got a lot of wrist time.
One of the dial screws is missing, and I modify a screw on the lathe to fit.
Dial and hands are on.
The watch also gets a new crystal.
I found a screw that I can modify to use as the missing case screw – it’s a bit too long, and the head is too wide, but that can be fixed.
The new case screw looks good.
What a beauty.
The watch is in very good original condition.
Sheer elegance!
And a great performance on top.
I like the textured dials. Do they have a decriptive name for them? Something nostalgic about that kind of look. I wonder if a relative used to own that kind of face.
Lovely lovely.
I had a similar dial on an early 70s watch that the manufacturer described as “denim”, but that may have just been them…
Well that is quite a fair description of the look.
I believe that should be know as a honeycomb waffle dial. 🙂
“Guilloché” Springs to mind. Or am I confusing that with “Cotes de Geneve”?
Another cracking Omega. An elegant design, which has been lost somewhat in the modern Omega watch.
Is the case gold, or highly polished brass, with the original chrome plate removed?
It’s solid 18K gold. According to Omega Vintage, it was sold in 1949.
Of course it is – even better. What threw me was the word ‘Metal’ on the base. Such a bonny looking watch. 64 years old, and doesn’t look a day over 4!
I didn’t think they drilled holes into gold lugs!??
On closer inspection of the photos, I think you can see a hallmark stamp on the lug in this photo: http://watchguy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_7739-1024×768.jpg
The stamped on “METAL” refers to the movement ring, which will be brass. Executing that in gold would be quite unusual.
Ahhh obviously they do sometimes drill holes in solid gold lugs! 🙂
I was told on a watch forum that they didn’t because gold was so soft the holes get gradually bigger and bigger!
I am still not sure the case is gold… I have sent the watch back, and didn’t examine what could be hallmarks any closer.
The execution of the case strikes me as too chunky for gold, and, as you say, the drilled holes in the lugs don’t make gold any likelier.
The hallmark is near impossible to read. I had a good look with my loupe and could not make out what is stamped there as its worn off. The inside of the case back says 18k gold, and I remember reading somewhere (on the Internet mind you) that omega made a few watches out of solid gold around that time. However, one can post what one likes on the Internet, so to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Christian,
Again, thank you ever so much for this service. I absolutely cannot wait to see the watch again.
In your opinion, having seen a lot of watches, what strap would you recommend for this watch? According to Omega, black calfskin is what it was originally delivered with. I thought crocodile might also work. What would you suggest?
Benjamin
Try a plain mid to dark brown strap… a watch that nice doesn’t need an interesting one, it can stand on its own 🙂
I love these old omega watches too. I have to say that each time I look at your photos I am in awe with the quality and details they show!