The Geneve watches were first produced by Omega in the 1950s, and were intended to commemorate their accomplishments in the Swiss chronometer competitions. They were (and are) relatively obscure models, overshadowed by the huge success of various Constellations, Speedmasters and Seamasters, and as time went by the line drifted farther and farther from their original conception, until they became just another "dressy" Omega.

Back in 1961, when this watch was manufactured, the Geneve line was already second-tier, but maintained a distinct identity. Omegas of the era were models of clean and balanced design, equipped with excellent in-house movements and finely executed. The present watch is no exception, and some 40+ years on serves as an shining example of the quality that can be acquired in the vintage market for just a few hundred dollars

---

The Geneve is a fine, medium-sized dress watch at 35.5mm diameter (exclusive of crown), and is 8mm thick, including the domed crystal. The dial is silvered, with a brushed outer ring and Omega crosshairs, and very handsome Dauphine hands and applied steel markers, each inset with an onyx strip.

This was never a very expensive watch, but the details are certainly well executed.

The caliber 600 was the first in a line of six movements produced by Omega between 1961 and 1973. Like the other variants it is 27.9mm across (about 12 1/3 lignes) and very thin (3.85mm) and is adjusted to two positions. The smooth balance has a very nice swan's-neck regulator, and just about everything which is not steel sports traditional Omega red copper plating:

The movement finish is technically excellent, and has received almost no decoration. The bridges are anglaged, and the wheels and their teeth are free of burrs, but only the steel parts are polished.

A handsome and elegant profile:

A previous owner installed a perfect display back on my watch!