anaesdoc
1772
Vintage Omega Chronometer - request for forum support
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
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 w...
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 ...
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, bu...
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?
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...
LOL
The word "Schmuck" in German means jewellery, but I think I understand your joke! anaesdoc
The experts are right . . .
. . . not only in their specifics, but also their recommendation. It's best to return this watch if at all possible. My foray into Omega chronometers was also troublesome, but not nearly this serious, anaesdoc. Incidentally, mine also has a balance staff ...
Thanks, Art!
Actually I should have asked the experts earlier, but I liked the looks of the watch that much - sigh! Kind regards and regrets anaesdoc
Franco has...
Hi Doc, Franco has already pointed out all the faults... not sure about the dial - it looks pretty good. Only the minute track seems to be a bit too wide - but this can be due to the angle of foto. Would need a larger high res. pic to make a final decisio...
I agree
Yes, Erich is right - there is a chance that it is a Fab.Suisse case - in which case the Omega Extract will say " movement provided on its own, for export to France" , and "no details on casing". In this case you should have the case labelled Omega but wi...
Thanks, Erich ...
for your expert input as well! Obviously some watches cause some difficulty even for the well-informed :-). Presently the watch is abroad for servicing, but I will ask them to take a picture of the case back. Kind regards anaesdoc
Movement/case number
Dear fellow PuristS, my warmest thanks for all your comments, explanations and help offered in your replies to my problem! I noticed two things very clearly: 1. I was very naive when purchasing this watch. 2. It´s good to have smarter friends if you are a...
Fair, but ....
... you should tell him that "genuineness" to be checked does not mean "original Omega Part" but " Omega part which is original to this very watch reference". And in particular if: -hands -dial -case -crown were in their opinion originally mounted on this...
You are right, Franco, but ...
here you see how semantic issues come into play. I completely agree with your definition of realness and genuineness belonging to this type of watch rather to all being parts from Omega - what horrible watches would be imaginable! But I am confident Omega...
he would have to send it in for a service.....
will cost quite a few $$$$$....... was the profit margin worth that procedure? it buys him time, but what about you, the buyer????? i would not go this avenue. it is never a good idea to buy and collect watches, you have to defend. i`d go for a refund now...
This is now happening
Hi Achim, Omega have their fees for refurbishing vintage watches, for sure! I will have to find an agreement with the seller later on. On the other hand afterwards the watch will be in perfect condition for a vintage timpiece and I will have a certificate...
yes, silly can be fun as well.......
agreed. just make sure, that the seller gets the right infos back to you. i`d like to be involved in that process; you are the one to pay in the end. i`d communicate with the factory myself..... just try that; get yourself copied on the mails.... good luc...
Thanks for your idea, Achim!
Actually the seller - whom I know from earlier sales as a reliable businessman - promised to lay open his correspondence with Omega. As he is a business customer with Omega he told me to get better conditions (i.e. prices) than me if I directly contacted ...
somehow i do not feel comfortable with this avenue.......
you bought a watch from an omega factory business customer ? then the watch should have been checked before the sale, if the price was not low. he should have known, that hands and maybe dial and others are not right. why do you have to share considerable...
Future will tell
Well, Achim, the result of the Omega inspection - as far as I see things - might be like this: case, movement and dial will with some probability be classified as original and correct. The hands are not original to the watch as it was sold, but are origin...
At the end it is your watch
... and whatever reassures you enough so that you enjoy it - that's good. You may however check the Omegamania catalogue, all pieces passed at Kosher by Omega Biel - and you may find several surprises. Personally , I would believe and take advantage of th...
Thanks again, Franco!
For your valuable hints where to look for high quality vintage omegas. I agree with your preference of driving the correspondence yourself. On the other hand, if I want the dealer to rectify his error (and eventually pay for it!), I do not think it possib...
I have been following this thread .......
Hi anaesdoc First off do you like the watch "AS IS " , not counting the out of true balance wheel ? If you like the watch visually and if the seller can get the PROPER replacement balance complete and running properly would you be happy ? BUT , if you bou...
Thank you, Bill, for your comment!
Yes, I did buy the watch, because I like it, not as an investment or a part of a collection. In this sense I am a true "amateur" in the original (:-)) sense of the word, i.e. someone who likes doing something for no other prurpose than his delight. Of cou...
Your welcome.....
Hi Anaesdoc Your welcome. It'sa tough call but I think you are on the track. Looking forward to reading an update on this watch soon. Good Hunting Bill Sohne