Omega

Dear All,

I have been enjoying the simple design of this 1960’s Omega Geneve over the last few months. I understand that it was a bit of a ‘workhorse’ model in its day, but I think Omega were very good at this type of watch. I am new to these historical pieces and I would be very thankful if you could share your knowledge or experience with the Geneve and perhaps some images to show the different iterations over the years.

From what I can find on the Web, the Geneve was produced in the 1960’s and the serial number on this movement (29866083) indicates production in 1970. The movement is the hand wound Cal. 601, 27.9x3.85mm, 17 rubies, 19,800vph (2.75Hz), adjusted in two positions with a 50 hour power reserve. I read that the Cal. 601 was “Omega’s last in-house hand wound calibre” and was used in its low to mid level watches. What does this mean and can anyone tell me more?

The reference stamped on the case back is 135.070. I understand that this means leather strap (1), centre seconds with no date (3), hand wind (5) and case made in 1970 (.070). Am I on the right track here? Great that Omega would provide this sort of information on each watch.

The case itself looks to be gold plated (I assume that is what the “20 microns” on the case back refers to) and is not in great condition. It is 34mm in diameter but has a large crystal and uncluttered dial so wears quite large. Most importantly it has been keeping brilliant time since a service and is very pleasurable to wind.

I look forward to learning a lot more about vintage Omega’s.

Thanks for your time.

Andrew

Hi Damian

Thanks for the image. Can you tell us any more about the watch, it's production date, how it came into your possession?

Very nice.

Andrew

that the production year is same as my birthyear

we are both 33 years old now

it was a gift from my wifes

aunth (she is 89 years old now

it's as all my pieces manual wind

REFERENCE

ST 136.0102

International collection

1974

Movement

Type: Manual winding (mechanical) Caliber number: 1030
• Created in 1974
  17 jewels
  Central sweep-second hand
  

Functions
Date

Case

Stainless steel

Case back

Press-in
• Full metal

Dial

Metal, with luminous hour markers and luminous hands.

Crystal

Armoured hesalite

Bracelet

Leather

Water resistance

30 meters

Sincerly

Damian

A watch which is born the same year than you!!!

A Keeper, for sure!

I'm crazy ab out this kind of watches, but only have one, for the moment...

and, as a coincidence, this is also an ..Omega.

Best.

Nicolas

what's more important I must find one with

this year producton for Junior :0)

Damian

I have some suggestions for you...LOLOL

JLC Polaris, or if you play it on the Family Tradition, This would be an Omega Alaska project...

Ask, and you'll be served! ROFL

Nicolas

Kermit

or

PAM 0 or 5 or 111 or 112 or 183 or 210

or

Tradition

or

Sppedy Snoopy

just to name few LOL

But you 2 suggestion are as valid as mine specially POLARISSSSSS

We're speaking of watches released in 2008...

LOL

Nicolas

cos as long as they are assembled in 2008

is far enouhg for me :0))))))))

but if the condition is that piece is born in 2008

then I'll definitely concure with you

+ PP 5124J and this one

only for reason that I wouldn't wear and tear it for next 18 years

but merely look after it for him ;0)

Best

Dear fellow Dragon,

Do you mean you have an Omega from our birth year? Could you post photos if you haven't before?

When I came across this Omega I had hoped that it might be from my birth year and was (only slightly) disappointed when I worked out it was from 1970. Still, the design was born in the 1960 and I otherwise love the watch.

Andrew

You already saw my ' 64 Omega...

I'm quite sure, but if you didn't..

Here it is:



Best.

Nicolas

Hi Nicolas,

I do remember the watch now, and I certainly remember the post (for obvious reasons) with your little Ivory Coast 'friend', but I didn't pick up on the 1964 at the time. Even more significant and a fantastic SM300 and strap.

I am going to have to start my search for other '64's.

Thanks for the image.

Andrew

Thanks Damian,

You have a very thoughtful Aunt.

When you first posted your watch, I thought to myself "mid seventies" and I am amazed to see that this is true. Great how vintage Omega's really seem to stamp their time and place on the watch design.

A special watch for you and something to pass on. Good luck in your search for the next family heirloom.

Andrew

. . . it looks to be in excellent condition, and your wrist shots portray how well a simple dial design can appear in a watch that today would be considered undersized . . . cordially, Art

Thanks Art,

 

The dial is in good condition. The case appears to have had a not particularly professional polish, although this is not very obvious except on close inspection. I don’t know if this is something that can be repaired with a re-polish or not.

 

I have a pretty average 17.5cm (7 inch) wrist and the 34mm Geneve seems fine, particularly under a cuff. It can get a little ‘lost’ on a bare arm. Still, I find the face very beautiful.

 

Regards

 

Andrew

It is a lovely watch and it looks very well restored. where did you have yours restored, Omega, Switzerland or watchmaker?

I have one as well (ultrathin) from the 60ties ingold. Used to be my grandads. I left it at the bank vault but next time I go Ill get it and shoot  pics. I love it but its quite small and fragile so I dont really wear it.

 

Best COD

Hi Christian,

I wish I knew more about this watch, but I don't. I found it unexpectedly a few months ago in an antique shop that specialised more in furniture than anything else.

I had it cleaned and lubricated and my watchmaker said the movement looked hardly used and without any wear. I must say that for its age (perhaps I am making inappropriate assumptions here) it keeps brilliant time.

The case has had a rough polish as some stage, but I don't know if it is something that can be repaired/repolished. The watch itself is not particularly valuable, nor, unlike yours, does it yet have a significant emotional attachment, so I won't be sending it back to Switzerland. I do love wearing it though and imagining what it has been doing for the last 38 years.

I would love to see some photos of your Granddads watch if you get a chance.

Regards

Andrew

Hi Andrew

Great watch.  The Geneve line in the late 50s it was Omega top line of watches.  In the late 60s Omega change the direction and made the Geneve line the "low" cost entry point.  Omega's target was the "next generation" and so made case designs with simple lines and simple finishes.   No beveled bezels or turned lugs, just simple shaped and finished cases.  But they used the same TOP quality movements as in anyother watch in the collection.  So the comment of the use of the 601 was limited to the low and mid grade watches is incorrect.  The 600 family of movements were used from simple time only wristwatches ( in gold pated cases ) to highest grade watches Omega made in 18k gold.   My father has an Omega pocket watch with a caliber 601 ( 18k yellow gold).

One observation about your case reference comment.. 135.070   the last part about the year of manufacture is not correct. All 6 digits are use for cataloging the case. sometimes they might have a  dash after it with a two digit number that might ref the year of manufacture.

There is also a very rare version of the 600 series  its caliber 602.  It was the last of the time only manual wind chronometres Omega produced until the late 1990s.   I posted a article about the watch here a while back .  It is also listied on the right side in the Blog post section... titled "The last of the manual wind time only chronometers...."

here is the link...

omega.watchprosite.com


Also keep in mind the 600 series came out and replaced the classic 30mm series of movements. But at a time when everyone watned a automatic watch,  few of these manual wind 600 series were sold and have survived.

Enjoy your watch and by the way it will easily last 38 years..  It looks new and I bet it would like more like 80 years ( Daily use)  ..

Good Hunting

Bill Sohne

Brilliant information, Bill, thankyou. I really appreciate it.

 

So it is correct to say that the 600 “series” was the last of the in-house hand wound calibres until the Railmaster?

 

Can you also tell me, then, what the .070 means in the watch Reference number (135.070), if anything?

 

What years were the Geneve models produced?

 

Thanks for your link to the Omega Chronometer post. It’s a pity I didn’t accidentally stumble on a 602 Chronometer Geneve in an antique shop, but that sort of stuff doesn’t happen very often (at least not to me!). Still, it sounds like the MW movements are less common than the automatics, and given that I enjoy the emotional connection of winding my watches (and this one is buttery smooth) this is a good thing.

 

Kindest regards

 

Andrew

Hi Art,

Jester just started this thread on HOME and I think it could be one of the reasons that my 34mm Geneve looks relatively larger.

My theory is that it is the combination of gold case, light coloured dial, uncluttered face (no date, simple markers), large crystal and dark leather strap (instead of a solid bracelet).

Whatever it is, I enjoy the watch.

Andrew

. . . "Indubitably!" Most cordially, Art

I was attracted to its timeless dress design and the view through the aftermarket display back.

As Bill Sohne has amply explained, while 60s Geneves such as yours and mine were no longer at the top tier of
Omega's offerings, they are by no means poorly designed or equipped.  This one has a beautiful brushed dial with
applied and filled steel markers, and of course that adjusted Cal. 600, a perfectly lovely movement:

Thanks Steve,

 

Beautiful Geneve. There are obvious family traits in the markers and case. Nice to see how Omega was able to evolve the design. My dial has a brushed surface which catches the light very nicely. I assume it is made from aluminium. Lovely movement and regulator.

 

What size is you example? Early 60’s?

 

Andrew

circa 1960, I think this is probably good within a couple of years, perhaps early 60s.  Case diameter is 35.5mm exclusive of crown, just about perfect for a dress watch for me.

As always, Steeve, your pics are candy for the eyes.
You're absolutely right, this watch is timeless.
I'm really in love with this very balanced dial, sober, elegant, and powerful at the smae time!
Thanks for sharing such a beauty!
Nicolas

///

Hi All,

Also, I want to get the Geneve onto a nicer strap than the black cowhide it is on now. What would be an appropriate material and colour for this vintage? Like many before me I am moving away from the latest modern releases to vintage pieces, and Omega seems to be a good place to start – history, aesthetics, design that clearly shows its time and place, quality robust movements and value are what have drawn me here.

Thanks

Andrew