Can Anyone Identify An Old Omega
Discussion
It's actually a technology that pre-dates quartz, it's known as a tuning fork movement. Instead of a vibrating quartz crystal it using a metal "fork" instead. When powered up it quietly hums like a tuning fork and has a perfectly smooth second hand sweep.
Cool and unusual watch and certainly would not have been a cheap alternative to a mechanical watch back in the day. I'm not sure where you would get one serviced these days.
Cool and unusual watch and certainly would not have been a cheap alternative to a mechanical watch back in the day. I'm not sure where you would get one serviced these days.
KTMsm said:
Thanks - it's solid gold so might be worth more as scrap which would be a shame
My grandfather bought it when it was " new technology" much to my father's disgust as he was a watchmaker
It isn't my thing and it just sits in the safe
What kt?My grandfather bought it when it was " new technology" much to my father's disgust as he was a watchmaker
It isn't my thing and it just sits in the safe
Put a new battery in it and see if it runs.
gregs656 said:
What kt?
Put a new battery in it and see if it runs.
Put a new battery in it and see if it runs.
I believe the case is 18, I suspect the strap is 9
It's fully working
I've had a Google but there aren't many about - I can see dealers asking 2K for ones in better condition but with leather straps
I'll get a few valuations and take it from there
KTMsm said:
I believe the case is 18, I suspect the strap is 9
It's fully working
I've had a Google but there aren't many about - I can see dealers asking 2K for ones in better condition but with leather straps
I'll get a few valuations and take it from there
The bracelet is odd, Omega did a similar constellations in “full gold” but they have a coin edge bezel and it’s an integrated case design. I don’t think omega made 9k solid bracelets, they are either 18k and solid or gold filled.
If the bracelet is solid gold and omega then I would say it has to be from a speedmaster… if so, it’s massively rare and worth a lot of money, hopefully! I am not 100% on this but I would confirm it is not before you scrap it!
I have an almost identical one! I had it sent to omega, they quoted £1750 to repair it, that didn't include a new crystal or case polish! Plus it was an open ended quote, needless to say I had it sent back, found a chap on TZUK that has the kit to fix it at a more reasonable price so it's with him, was my late uncles so I'd like it working.
KTMsm said:
I believe the case is 18, I suspect the strap is 9
It's fully working
I've had a Google but there aren't many about - I can see dealers asking 2K for ones in better condition but with leather straps
I'll get a few valuations and take it from there
Any codes on the strap? Picture of the clasp might help ID it.
RichB said:
Surely unless you really are on your uppers it is better to sell it to someone who wants it than to scrap it for cash?
I guess if someone really wants it then they will pay the going rate for gold nowadays if that’s more.Personally if I was looking to sell it would be for the most cash I could get no matter what. If it was of sentimental value then surely the op would be hanging onto it.
My grandfather owned a jewellery shop as did my father and he was an Omega retailer for many years so it's quite possible they fitted a strap from another watch
I've had a closer look and found the 18ct stamp on the strap so it's around 3k in scrap value
The issue is that I don't like gold, I've owned it for probably 20 years and worn it twice
My thoughts being too buy an Omega submariner instead as I would wear that everyday
I've had a closer look and found the 18ct stamp on the strap so it's around 3k in scrap value
The issue is that I don't like gold, I've owned it for probably 20 years and worn it twice
My thoughts being too buy an Omega submariner instead as I would wear that everyday
Edited by KTMsm on Saturday 18th June 23:34
As said by others, it’s not a quartz, but a hummer. Which is an interesting movement that uses a tuning fork to create a vibration rather than a quartz crystal which is then used as a basis to tell the time. It was very new and interesting technology at the time.
Lots of information will be available on your watch and this movement on this website.
https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/
He is also the chap to use for a service too, but I believe he’s not working over the summer, but will be back again in the autumn
https://electric-watches.co.uk/service-and-repair/
Lots of information will be available on your watch and this movement on this website.
https://electric-watches.co.uk/makers/
He is also the chap to use for a service too, but I believe he’s not working over the summer, but will be back again in the autumn
https://electric-watches.co.uk/service-and-repair/
It's an Omega Constellation. Says so on the dial. The conny's always have high grade chronometer movements, they are at the upper end of Omega's dress watch offerings.
The movement should be a ESA9162. Built under license from Bulova. It uses their Accutron or tuning fork design. The 9162 was designed by the same chap who did the original Bulova 214, but it's about 10 years later and much improved.
The 300Hz refers to the numer of times per second the second hand moves, this compares to once per second for a quartz watch or 5 times per second for a good quality mechanical watch. To the human eye the second hand movement is sily smooth. If you hold it to your ear you'll hear it humming, which is where these watches get the nickname 'hummers'.
I believe the ESA9162 was produced between 1969 and 1976. If you open the watch there will be trapeziodal plate on the movement with the Omega name. On that will be a small serial number that can be used to date the watch more exactly.
It does look like a solid gold watch, plated gold watches ususally have stainless steel backs. However I would be surprised if the watch case is 18ct gold. It is more likely 9ct. Both the watch body and the caseback should be hallmarked. The caseback mark will be inside.
On value, you've already calculated the scrap value of the bracelet (I assume you've not included the weight of hte watch head, movement and crystal). The watch head is worth much less than the strap. If it's 9ct gold, I'd expect it to fetch £500 to £600 ish sold privately.
If I were you I would take the strap to a watch dealer. They should give you a wee bit more than scrap value. I'd have a go at the crystal with a little polywatch (or even toothpaste) to get rid of those scratches and I'd put it on a black leather strap to match the hands.
Then I'd wear it. It will look very different on leather and it's a very cool thing.
EDIT: Just read Nikayo's post on the strap and case. I'll bow to his superior knowledge & I am surprised!
The movement should be a ESA9162. Built under license from Bulova. It uses their Accutron or tuning fork design. The 9162 was designed by the same chap who did the original Bulova 214, but it's about 10 years later and much improved.
The 300Hz refers to the numer of times per second the second hand moves, this compares to once per second for a quartz watch or 5 times per second for a good quality mechanical watch. To the human eye the second hand movement is sily smooth. If you hold it to your ear you'll hear it humming, which is where these watches get the nickname 'hummers'.
I believe the ESA9162 was produced between 1969 and 1976. If you open the watch there will be trapeziodal plate on the movement with the Omega name. On that will be a small serial number that can be used to date the watch more exactly.
It does look like a solid gold watch, plated gold watches ususally have stainless steel backs. However I would be surprised if the watch case is 18ct gold. It is more likely 9ct. Both the watch body and the caseback should be hallmarked. The caseback mark will be inside.
On value, you've already calculated the scrap value of the bracelet (I assume you've not included the weight of hte watch head, movement and crystal). The watch head is worth much less than the strap. If it's 9ct gold, I'd expect it to fetch £500 to £600 ish sold privately.
If I were you I would take the strap to a watch dealer. They should give you a wee bit more than scrap value. I'd have a go at the crystal with a little polywatch (or even toothpaste) to get rid of those scratches and I'd put it on a black leather strap to match the hands.
Then I'd wear it. It will look very different on leather and it's a very cool thing.
EDIT: Just read Nikayo's post on the strap and case. I'll bow to his superior knowledge & I am surprised!
Edited by BrokenSkunk on Monday 20th June 15:19
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