Vintage Omega Chronometer 30T2RG Balance Wheel Repair

anaesdoc · 2012-08-13T10:26:21Z

Collector anaesdoc seeks help for a vintage Omega Chronometer 30T2RG with a bent balance wheel. Discussion covers authenticity, repair costs, and seller ethics.

anaesdoc

WPS member · Omega forum

27 replies8142 views2 photos

Anaesdoc's quest for a replacement balance wheel for his vintage Omega Chronometer, caliber 30T2RG, highlights the unique challenges and deep knowledge required in vintage watch collecting. This thread delves into the complexities of authenticity, repair, and the ethical considerations of buying vintage timepieces online. His experience serves as a valuable lesson for both seasoned collectors and newcomers navigating the vintage market.

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Dear fellow vintage Omega enthusiasts!

I am in trouble with a vintage Omega Chronometer that I recently purchased from a well reputed online seller.
Judging from his pics case and movement were in excellent condition for a watch dating from approx. 1947. (please see pics below)

Upon arrival the watch was running about 70 secs per day too fast and I had some regualtion and gentle polishing in mind, so I gave the watch to my trusted watchmaker who is very experienced with vintage Omega movements.

To my surprise and dismay his examination revealed the diagnosis of a slightly bent balance wheel which is not rotating perfectly true, thus causing the inaccurate running.

He tells me this cannot be fixed by bending the balance wheel in the right direction, the wheel would most likely break or work even more inaccurately afterwards.

What I do now require due to his recommendation is a spare part or a whole donor movement from which the balance wheel can be "transplanted".

Now the movement - 30T2RG - is not very common and both the balance wheel and the whole movement should be hard to find.

Do you have any ideas how to get hold of the required balance wheel?

The ultimate - and far most expensive - solution would be to send the watch to Omega HQ in Biel, but probably there is another way to solve the problem?

I would value your ideas and comments!

Kind regards

anaesdoc

Key Points from the Discussion

The seller's guarantee of 'genuine' and 'without blemish' can be misleading if parts are original Omega but not factory-original to the specific chronometer, especially concerning hands and case.
The true value of vintage Omega chronometers hinges on the condition of the movement, dial, and case, with significant debate on their order of importance for originality.
A 'Fab.Suisse' case or 'eagle head' hallmark indicates a French market production, where movements were exported and cased locally due to customs restrictions, which an Omega Extract from the Archives can confirm.
While the 30T2RG movement is uncommon, replacement balance complete parts (Omega 262-1347) can be found, including 1950s glucydur chronometer parts, albeit at a cost.
The dial's authenticity is often a point of contention; a 'Causemann redo' might look good but differs from factory-quality dials, requiring close inspection of ink, brushing, and minute track width.
If a reputable seller provides a watch with significant undisclosed issues like a bent balance wheel or non-original parts, the buyer has strong grounds to return it or insist the seller covers all repair costs.

The Discussion

Franco

Aug 13, 2012

Ok, I start

Hello there are other problems ... hands are wrong. Case I am quite sure is not original to a chronometre, what reference is it? Does it have an extract from the omega archives, showing that movement came in the same reference of case? I doubt. The dial would need to be seen very close, as I have doubts. The less of the problems is the one you mention, Omega 262-1347 parts (balance complete) can be found, if not the cut bimetallic, the 1950s replacement in glucydur (chronometre part) - at a pric

watch.out1

Aug 13, 2012

seconded, franco......

the dial seems to be the replacement dial, either from the omega re-make or the batch, that causemann in germany did in the late 90`s. hands plain wrong,case reference unknown and case shape not right. the balance is your least problem. return for a full refund, if possible. kind regards. achim

anaesdoc

Aug 14, 2012

Thanks, Franco!

Not only for your detailed analysis, but the probability to find a spare part. Probably I am too relaxed about this watch in terms of genuinity, but I simply like it, even if the hands or dial should be replaced and not original. I like the case shape, but I would definitely dislike the gross malfunction of a chronometer movement. Kind regards anaesdoc

mrsnak

Aug 15, 2012

Exactly what I would do... and immediately! [nt]

ralph_george

Aug 13, 2012

You bought a watch from a Schmuck?!?!

Imagine that - a guy named Schmuck sold a watch that doesn't work! Where's the LOL smiley?

AndrewD

Aug 13, 2012

Be careful ...

Remember that this is an international forum so be careful how portable “schmuck” is outside of the Yiddish/American English pejorative usage. While I see the humorous connection you allude to, schmuck in German means “jewellery” (and Uhren means "watches") so it’s quite a reasonable name for a watch company. It’s one thing to laugh at our differences, but another to laugh at someone’s difference. Disappointing about the

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