Vintage Omega With Two-Piece Case

[Lawren5]

This is an Omega from 1945 which I believe was made with a two-piece case. Supposedly, the crown stem is also a two-piece and once removed the case can be pushed out from front to back.

Before getting into this any further, I'd appreciate any info you could provide and suggestions on how to proceed.

Thanks

 

[jdm]

11 hours ago, Lawren5 said:

Supposedly, the crown stem is also a two-piece and once removed the case can be pushed out from front to back.

I don't see a reason why it has to be a two-piece stem, release 1 and 1/2 turn the small screw closer to the edge, and remove the stem the normal way. 

[JohnR725]

7 hours ago, jdm said:

turn the setting lever screw and remove the stem the normal way. 

I would agree this looks like a standard stem release screw and the stem should come out.

Then you didn't give us some movement number that would be really helpful but my guess is it's probably this one

Then it be nice to have a picture of the case back both the outside and the inside.

http://www.ranfft.de/cgi-bin/bidfun-db.cgi?10&ranfft&0&2uswk&Omega_300

 

 

[Lawren5]

The stem was removed with the stem release screw as was suggested. The reason I thought that it might have a two-piece stem was based on a discussion at the Omega forums. https://omegaforums.net/threads/a-curious-two-piece-case.73455/

I'm still not sure how to remove the movement. Loosening the screws at the upper right and lower left of the movement didn't free up anything. It may be that the crystal needs to come out and the movement removed through the front.

Your thoughts?

[Marc]

It is without a doubt a front loader, there's no way that you're going to get that nice big round dial out the back through the rather smaller rectangular shaped hole in the case unless you're a magician!! Also if you think about the way that the case screws that you have removed interact with the case, they hold the movement back against coming out the front; if the movement were intended to come out the back then the way those screws work would serve no purpose at all.

You will need to remove the crystal, and probably the bezel as well (I say probably because it's not quite clear from your side on photo if the watch has a separate bezel) and then everything should come out the front.

 

 

[Lawren5]

Thanks for your response Marc. It doesn't look like there is a bezel from what I can see.

[Marc]

That pic does seem to suggest that there is no separate bezel, in which case you are going to need a crystal lift to remove the crystal and liberate the movement.

[JohnR725]

Usually when the dial is bigger than the movement it has to go out through the front. Which means you'll have to remove the crystal may be? The reason I say may be is I don't actually know how the back attaches but there is a little slot in the back and I'm wondering if you can pry it and just remove the entire movement ring

[Lawren5]

Thanks, JohnR, that did it. I was able pry the back off at the slot located just below the crown. Prior attempts at removing the crystal with my lifting tool were not successful as I could not get a good grip on it even though it has worked well on other watches.