1950s Bumper Automatic

[carl]

Well, I finally took my Father's Omega Bumper Automatic today to have it cleaned and serviced. Only wish I had done it sooner. Should have a call in a week or two. Then the fun part will be picking out a strap or bracelet for the 18mm lugs.

I always remember my Dad wearing it. The watch case always emitted a kind of light greenish hue. It was always sort of a comfort thing to see it on his wrist. Now I shall be able to wear it.

Some pics I took of it a while ago:



Lots of text on the caseback, but none to speak of on the dial. Apparently, this was qutie common on the early 50s models:


Quite blurry, but this is exactly how the dial looks:


Lug holes, too. My first watch with them:


This really shows the scratches. The case actually does not look nearly this bad:


This is not my photo, but shows the same bumper movement:


Once the watch is opened and serviced, I hope to get a bit more info about it, and perhaps the year is was made. I plan to leave the case, crystal and dial as is. I just like the patina of the watch so much.

Thanks for looking.

Cheers,
Carl

[Baco Noir]

That's great Carl. I wish my dad was a watch guy. I'd love to have his watch left to me someday. He was given one at retirement about 10 years ago, but didn't like it and ended up trading it in at the AD and got his/hers TT quartz Tags instead. That not being a watch I watched him wear as a child, it wouldn't mean nearly as much as that classic you have there. Congrats and I look forward to seeing it back on a family wrist.  

[CHIP]

That's a beauty Carl.

[CHIP]

My dad was sort of a watch guy. Sadly, my first watch memory of him was around the time I was about 6 and he ditched his Swiss Made 34mm Atlantic for a Japan made quartz.

[aerome]

Great watch! Been looking for just the right one from '52. Hard to warm up to the little watches nowadays, especially when you can no longer see!

[Nicko]

That's a real beauty, I wish my dad was a big watch guy but he isn't. He wears a Timex I think and has a Longines in his sock drawer that he received when he retired from Pratt and Whitney 12 years ago which he never wears.

[bridgs]

That is a beauty sir!

[GLADIATOR]

Carl - nice piece - I love 'bumper' movements.
Cool for you, and the designer / genesis is John Harwood - Patented 1924.  First shipments 1926.


Look at the ORIGINAL BUMPERS - like a train!:

[carl]

Mar 31, 2013 13:16:21 GMT -6 GLADIATOR said:

Carl - nice piece - I love 'bumper' movements.
Cool for you, and the designer / genesis is John Harwood - Patented 1924.  First shipments 1926.


Look at the ORIGINAL BUMPERS - like a train!:

Thanks for that, GLADIATOR. I knew it was an older and popular movement, but had no idea it was around that long!
I see the Train comparison in that photo. Clever. Can't even see the spring in that one.

I'm very excited to get the watch back. I don't know a lot about the mechanical aspects of watches, mostly because my memory is so bad. I can read about them, and understand quite a bit, but my retention is bad. I have always wanted a vintage watch, but didn't quite know which one to get. When this turned up at my brother's place a couple of years ago, I knew it would be the one.
Fortunately, I know a very reputable watch repair/restoration shop locally. Part of my hesitating to get a vintage watch was that I didn't know anybody reputable to have it serviced. Now I have the best!

Cheers,
Carl

[GLADIATOR]

The 'spring' is mounted in those bumpers - like an old style train
The Harwood (original) 'bumper' was a Rolls Royce

I have 4 pcs all lovely and prior to Rolex automatic by 9 yrs
A