Reply With QuoteVery nice, 2 secs per day is amazing!!!! Lovely looking movement too ;)
A few years ago when I first became interested in watches, I had a chat with my Uncle, he mentioned that he had an old Omega somewhere in his bungalow, I asked him which model but he was unsure.
A few months back I popped to see him and he dug it out of a drawer. He told me that his Father, my Grandfather gave it to him when he was 10 in 1955 before he was due to go to senior school. My Grandfather died in around 1950, so sadly I never met him, although it seems he was well though of, being Headmaster of a school on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, where until recently when it was demolished he had his name on a plaque over the entrance to the cricket pavilion, he also clearly had taste in watches.
It wasn’t functioning as it had no crown, is quite scratched and lives on a horrible stretchable bracelet. I suggested that I try and give it a new lease of life. So I took it and it has been in my bedroom awaiting the attention I promised it.
Anyway, a couple of weeks back I had to go to STS in Southend to pick up a restored Mk ii Speedmaster, I remembered the vintage Omega and took it with me. After getting the Speedy back I gave the other watch to the Technician to have a look at. He took it out to his bench and came back five minutes later with the back popped off to show me the movement. It was a very pleasant surprise to see such a lovely clean movement in such an old watch An even nicer surprise to see him pop in an had an Omega crown give it a wind and see it come back to life. The nicest surprise was that no payment was required as he had the crown sitting round in his work area.
He advised my that the model reference is ST131.0001-62, the first model that Omega made with a 4 figure referee numbered case (IIRC), some basic information is available from Omega’s vintage database, although the date is stated as 1961, the case stamp suggest 1962 so some further questinoing of my Uncle is required:
Omega Vintage Database
I timed the watch over the next 2 days, it gained 2 seconds each day,It definatley needs a service, but STS want £340 for that and I think the watch is probably worth quite a bit less than that so it will probably go to an independent. I am going to get the Polywatch out and clean the crystal up and then polish the case. A new 18mm strap suitable for a dress watch is to be ordered tonight. Then I going to try and find an OEM buckle for it. Hopefullly this can be done before Christmas and I can give it back to my Uncle rather that give him the usual pair of socks.
I will update the post further as progress is made.
For now, a couple of pics:
Very nice, 2 secs per day is amazing!!!! Lovely looking movement too ;)
Vintage watches are always desirable it's a nice watch
What a lovely looking watch and some family history too.
Is that a 30t2 movement. Lovely story and nice watch
Lovely, I'd like to see the end result, too.
That is a lovely watch!
Thats a lovely clean movement!
Originally Posted by phil h
I think it's likely to be a 265 or 267 judging by the age. V. nice.
Paul
Love it on that strap.
I will post some more pics once my fingers stop throbbing, its hard work this Polywatch stuff, especially for a pen pusher like me
Close, according to Omega's data base its a 268:I think it's likely to be a 265 or 267 judging by the age. V. nice.
Paul
Reference:
ST 131.0001
International collection
1961
Movement:
Type: Manual winding (mechanical)
Caliber number: 286
Created in 1961
17 jewels
Central sweep-second hand
Case:
Stainless steel
Case back:
Press-in
Dial:
With facetted relief and "index" hands
Crystal:
Hesalite
Bracelet:
Leather
Water resistance;
No (hermetic crown)
Nice! Very similar case to my own vintage handwound Omega.
Very similar, possibly even the same , think my one is 32mm. What is the case finish on the lugs of yours? There are so many scratches on mine that I can't tell.Nice! Very similar case to my own vintage handwound Omega.
What a great watch, beautiful dial. If you ever sell......
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