Omega handwind from the late 1940s.. cal.230

[anilv]

Just bought this neat Omega, it wasn't really cheap but as it wasn't running and there was a lot of gunk on the dial the price was pretty decent. It is a handwinding cal.230 in a stainless steel case with a solid gold bezel. It has its original crown which is gold filled and in good condition.  A serial number in the 11.4million dates this to 1947-50. Back when this watch was new it was on the same level as Rolex in terms of cost and reputation. The dial is pretty worn but once I clean up the green oxidization it should be pretty wearable. As always, the camera is always more critical than the naked eye.

Nicely signed Omega crown, gold filled.

 

God only knows what that gunk is, but its pretty brittle and comes off easily.

 

Nice calibre 230. No sign of the gunk that was on the caseback. Probably because there was a dust protector which, well... protected the movement!

 

While it didn't run while in the shop, when i reached home I was pleasantly surprised to find it running. I had kept the watch in my jeans pocket and I guess the warmth of my body plus the movement was sufficient to persuade it to run. Looking at the trace it really needs a service but it runs without much variation so that's pretty good. I wound it full and it was still running 24hours later so I'd bet the mainspring can still be reused as well!

 

Will not be able to work on this watch now but will post some more pictures of the teardown and rebuild later.

Anilv

 

Edited June 17, 2022 by anilv

[Nucejoe]

Apparently this will clean up real good. 

Will you tell about oiling the center sweep when you get around to it. 

TIA