| Author | Message | ||
     Dartmouth07 New member Username: Dartmouth07 Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Hey guys, I am contemplating purchasing a late 1920's manual wind omega that is in good working order and has been recently serviced. The problem is, my knowledge of vintage watches---esp. manual wind ones---is somewhat limited. What do I need to know before committing to buy the watch? As in, if I intend to use it lets say 50-100 times a year, how often will I need to get it serviced, what will this cost, etc. I would really appreciate any help you might be able to give me. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2034 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
A couple things on watches of this era: 1. The are absolutely not water resistant or water proof. If you're using it that often, it needs to stay out of moisture all the time. 2. They can be used as daily wear pieces, but keep in mind, some of the components are 85 years old now, and may wear out and will need to be replaced, particularly in the manual winding area like the clutch wheel, etc. 3. If the watch has been recently serviced, outside of something that wears out, you can expect to service it in about 3 years. 4. Time keeping ability of these early watches is no where near modern watches, if you're +/- 90-120 seconds a day, this is certainly acceptable, though frequently they can do much better. Zaf | ||
| Dartmouth07 New member Username: Dartmouth07 Post Number: 2 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
Ok, thanks a lot, I will certainly keep that in mind. | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
I have one of these that keeps time to about +/- 10 seconds/day with recent service. They are surprisingly nice watches when they have their original glass crystal that magnifies the face slightly. http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/gatorcpa/Watch%20Photos/Hamilton/DSCN1875. jpg http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/gatorcpa/Watch%20Photos/Hamilton/DSCN1871. jpg Not sure if this one has original dial, but if it was repainted, it was done long ago. Good luck with yours, gatorcpa | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
It's late here folks. Don't know why I thought your post said "Hamilton". Zaf, please delete my prior post. Sorry, gatorcpa | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
1920s Omegas are fun watches to wear. One of the watches from my collection that I find myself wearing the most is a 14K 1920s Omega Tonneau:  | ||
| Dartmouth07 New member Username: Dartmouth07 Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
So I understand I should wind it once a day, preferably around the same time every day, correct? Do I turn the crown forward or back and how many times should I turn it for a day's charge? | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2053 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
You can wind the watch at any time. The "once a day" concept is for getting a most consistant rate on the watch i.e. if you wind it at the same time, it should perform roughly the same way day in day out. A full wind is anywhere from 10 back/forths to 20-25. | ||
| Dartmouth07 New member Username: Dartmouth07 Post Number: 4 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
so i can turn the crown either back or forward? I wound it this morning and it already ran out of power---I must be doing something wrong here. | ||
| Zaf Moderator Username: Zaf Post Number: 2055 Registered: 05-2003 Rating: N/A |
It only winds in the forward direction, but it's easier to wind backwards and forwards. You should wind it, gently, until you feel some resitance at the end, at which point you can wind no longer. Let me know if you have any further issues, I take we're talking about the sterling Omega? You can email me privately too. | ||
| Garyk New member Username: Garyk Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2006 Rating: N/A |
I've read a few books, bought a few vintage watches that interested me and am now looking for a vintage dress watch that I can wear to change off with my normal watch which is a Largo model Citizen eco-drive. I'm retired, so I don't have a lot of money which means even a used Rolex is probably out of reach plus I have the feeling that Rolex, new or used, is very overpriced. Am I wrong? I've noticed good things being said about vintage Omega watches, especially the top of the line Constellation. Lots of these on Ebay, but also lots of fakes, apparently. Advice on Omega as being the brand I need to concentrate on--other suggestions welcome--and, if Omega's the one, where to find a trustworthy source for the real deal. | ||
| GregB Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Whether Rolex is overpriced or not would be a topic that would generate a heated debate among collectors. I'm not a huge Rolex fan myself, but they are well-built watches and most models do hold their value well, so they generally make a good investment. Your choice of Omega is a good one. Omegas are indeed nice watches and the older models are built to last. If you're thinking of vintage Constellations, you really don't need to worry much about fakes. There weren't really any convincing fakes made of the Constellation during the 1950s & 1960s (the prime years of the Constellation, IMHO). I haven't checked Zaf's vintage offerings, but he probably has a nice vintage Conny he could set you up with. If a Constellation is outside your budget, check out the vintage 50s-60s Seamasters.... some of my favorite watches to wear. Good luck! Greg | ||
| gatorcpa Unregistered guest Rating: N/A |
Not fakes, per se, but there are a lot of Constellations which have had the dials refinished, and/or parts replaced with non-Constellation parts. There are two reasons for this, first, the dials (particularly those on the early pre-1960 models) had lacquer that did not age well. Collectors usually pay premiums for original dials on these watches. Refinished dials are of varying quality, so you need to be careful. Second, many times when these watches were serviced, parts were replaced with genuine parts from other Omega watches which were similar, but not of the same quality as the Constellation. These are sometimes called "Frakenwatches". The movements for the Constellation were almost always inscribed with language referencing the fact that adjustments were made at the factory. Something like "Adjusted for Five (5) Positions and Temperature". Again, care is required in purchasing these watches, particularly on eBay. You should be able to pick up a nice 1950's or 1960's Constellation for about 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a similar quality vintage Rolex. Sometimes even less. Good luck in your search, gatorcpa |