Omega Caliber 1342

Omega Caliber 1342

Omega Caliber 1342

Manufacturer Omega
Caliber Number 1342
Movement Type Quartz
In-House?
Yes
Dimensions Please add to comments below
Battery Number 329 (SR731SW)
Jewels 7
Hacking?
Yes
Functions Central hours, central minutes, central seconds, date at 3:00
Country of Manufacture Switzerland
Known Models
Please add your watch to the comments below…

The Omega caliber 1342 is an in-house vintage quartz movement found in Omega watches from the 1970s into the early 80s. This movement and similar calibers were used before Omega started putting Swatch Group owned ETA movements in their watches.

How to set the Omega 1342:

Think your Omega caliber 1342 powered watch needs repaired because you can’t set the minute hand? Think again! This movement is often mistaken for being broken, when in fact it’s simply an odd watch to set the time on.

Here is a breakdown how to do it:

Set the hour hand: Pull the crown out one click (it only goes out one click anyway!) and rotate the crown clockwise or counterclockwise depending on the time you want to set. Unlike other watches where the hour hand is dependent on the minutes, the 1342 hour hand is independent and jumps hour to hour with each advancement – this also makes it easy to switch time zones when traveling without affecting the minutes and seconds.

Interesting Note: while the hour hand are independent of the minute hand, the minute hand is dependent on the seconds hand as you will see below.

Set the date: Using the method above, you can advance the hour hand forwards and backwards until the date flips to the date you desire to be displayed on your watch.

Set the seconds: The caliber 1342 movement has the ability to “hack”, just not in the way you may be used to with modern watches. To stop the seconds hand on the 1342, do no pull the crown out. Instead, you will push the button in the center of the crown. Yes, that’s a button, not an aftermarket replacement crown!

  • One press of the button will stop the seconds hand for one second.
  • A long press will stop the seconds until you release the button.

Set the minutes: To set the minutes hand on your watch, follow the hacking seconds method above… but this time, press the button on the crown for 5 seconds, then release and press and hold again. You should see the seconds hand start to go rapidly around the dial, with the minutes hand circling as well. When you get the minutes and seconds set to the correct time, release the button!

According to the original instruction manual for the 1342, the correct sequence for resetting the time on a timepiece with the caliber 1342 is as follows:

  1. Set the minute hand first
  2. Set the date and hour hand next
  3. Finally, synchronize the seconds hand

Changing the battery:

The battery for the caliber 1342 was originally a cell number 388, however, those were mercury batteries and are no longer available. You can use a 329 cell. Do not be alarmed when you see that this battery appears to be smaller than the space for the battery, it is smaller but the cell strap will hold it in place. There are spacers available if you want, but shouldn’t be necessary.

There are two screws holding the cell strap down. Carefully unscrew them. It is easier if you wear your finger cots and hold the battery and strap down while removing the screws.

Note: There is an orange insulator tab located under the battery. Make sure you have the insulator film in place before installing the new battery to prevent the battery from shorting.

It appears the battery number 392/384 may also work. It is taller than the 329 (both are 7.9mm diameter, but the 392 is 3.6mm tall VS 3.1mm) so it could cause the cell strap to bend slightly. Do this at your own risk (but leave a comment below if you do!). Below is an example of a 1342 with a 392/384 installed.

Omega Caliber 1342 392 Battery

Battery life:

As mentioned above, the original battery is no longer available for this movement. It’s not clear what the original expected battery life was (Caliber Corner didn’t exist back in the 1970s to document it haha), but using the replacement 392 cell does not yield long lasting power. It may be between 7 months to a year. Please comment below on the battery life you have seen with your 1342 powered Omega.

Markings:

The caliber 1342 found in the watch pictured was signed with:

Ω 1342 / OMEGA / SWISS / SEVEN 7 JEWELS / UNADJUSTED / 4 0 / (serial number)

Does anyone know what the “4 0” means? Please comment below if you know, or if your watch has a different number.

Additional Images:

Omega 1342 Vintage Quartz Watch Movement

Additional Resources:

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javier vazquez
javier vazquez
7 years ago

I need the movement for the omega watch quartz 1342 . can you tell me the price plz. if you have in stock

Garyswayoffun.
Garyswayoffun.
6 years ago

I just rebuilt a Omega caliber 1342. I finally succeeded but it was a very learning lesson. I found that there is a sleeve to install a more available battery. I also found trouble with the date changing mechanism that involves plastic parts. Cleanliness is very important for these to work properly. Also, I found that the magnetized gears that change the date are very touchy so anyone fiddling with that part beware to not try to de-magnetize this watch. It was a fun and challenging project that I won. Cool.

izzy
izzy
5 years ago

I have an Omega quartz calibre 1342 (no seamaster on the watch face). can anyone tell me about it?

Gary
Gary
5 years ago
Reply to  izzy

I can. This particular movement first failure is the date changer. It is made of plastic for one thing. Other comment is it is a battery eater. Generally around 1 year service. I removed the date change system to allow this watch to at least keep excellent time. The date change system is too heavy a load for this particular design.

Jack_Daniels83
Jack_Daniels83
5 years ago

Known Omega references:
196.0085
198.0112
1960130
196.0115
196.0078
196 0181
196.0133
196.0079
196.0133
196.0134
196.0135
196.0090
MD 196 0088

Regards,
Daniel

Jack Wright
Jack Wright
1 year ago
Reply to  Jack_Daniels83

my Omega quartz is 196 0195. 13 jewels unadjusted bought it in 1983. Still going strong.

JohnS
JohnS
5 years ago

Greetings — I wish to fix my Dads’ watch — A gift from IBM Corp. Omega Quartz (top of dial) Seamaster De Ville (bottom), 14K Gold – solid not plated, filled or anything but solid. Engraved IBM QCC 1981 (Quarter Century Club), Paperwork shows CAL.1342 movement (but the watch doesn’t work). It’s like a Rolex Day/Date (Which IBM switched too awarding the next year. He took it to a clock/jeweler friend who advised him it’d be a fortune to fix. I see (at this writing) there’s a someone on ebay selling a 1342 movement — I would never, ever, ever… Read more »

BillB
BillB
3 years ago
Reply to  JohnS

John these are often easily repaired by someone who knows what they are doing. Ruby’s Jewelry in Sunrise FL repaired my watch after other high-end watch makers told me the same thing you were told. Give them a call, and see what happens. Good luck with your watch!

Drew T.
Drew T.
2 years ago
Reply to  JohnS

Did you get it fixed? Please update us all.

Stefan
Stefan
1 year ago
Reply to  JohnS

My father has one in gold, quarter century club watch, the golden age of IBM, some day it will be mine

Watchmaker
Watchmaker
1 year ago
Reply to  JohnS

You can fix it, only rotor and electroniscs are not availeble, but a service of the movement is possible. You need a Omega workshop with acces to the parts. If you wan’t, just can send it in to Omega and they do a overhaull for you.

Luis Estrada
Luis Estrada
4 years ago

This is a great movement. It is an Omega’s in-house caliber. One of the first Quartz from the brand, if not the first. It is made to last. It has very sophisticated attributes, like the hour hand changing separately, and a second hand that doesn’t backlashes. Extremely precise too. Very interesting caliber.

Mark Gilbert
Mark Gilbert
3 years ago
Reply to  Luis Estrada

Just to update you the Calibre 1310 is the first in-house Omega Quartz caliber. Both great movements but cleanliness is paramount for these and they where designed to run on 1.35v mercury batteries, which are no longer available so the equivelant 1.5v batteries will work but with reduced life span.

Luis Estrada
Luis Estrada
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Gilbert

Thank you for your response. The 1.5v won’t affect its durability or anything? Thank you!

Mark Gilbert
Mark Gilbert
3 years ago
Reply to  Luis Estrada

Hi Luis, no the durability will not be affected just the battery life is reduced to something like 20 months

Luis Estrada
Luis Estrada
3 years ago
Reply to  Mark Gilbert

Thank you, Mark!

Drew T.
Drew T.
2 years ago
Reply to  Mark Gilbert

I wish omega would make a new version of this that is made for common modern batteries. I love mine!

Lejaune
Lejaune
9 months ago
Reply to  Drew T.

I believe 1370 is the newer version with exact same functions (push minute setting, quick hour setting, etc.) but uses common 390/389 1.5V battery and longer battery life. 1370s were not made as many as 1342s before they started using ETA quartz movements.

Lejaune
Lejaune
9 months ago
Reply to  Lejaune

Sorry, 1370 uses 394 battery.

Roland
Roland
4 years ago

Where can I buy parts?
I need a original crown and stem because broke off.

Drew T.
Drew T.
2 years ago
Reply to  Roland

EBay or send it in to Omega for repair

Jorge J
Jorge J
3 years ago

I have a seamaster cal 1342z

Paul
Paul
2 years ago
Reply to  Jorge J

What is the z on the end? Does the movement actually say 1342z? Thank you

Tissa
Tissa
2 years ago
Reply to  Jorge J

Do U still have the cal1342 in working condition ? & the price Pl

Omar
Omar
3 years ago

I need the movement for the omega watch quartz 1342 . can you tell me the price plz. if you have in stock

Omar
Omar
3 years ago

I need the stem for the omega watch quartz 1342 . can you tell me the price plz.

Dirk Bülling
Dirk Bülling
3 years ago

Germany 23th of August 2020

Hello everyone, I found an Omega Seamaster Caliber 1342 in my father’s estate. Unfortunately it does not work anymore or the battery is not in good condition. Can anyone help me?
Best regards Dirk

Paul
Paul
2 years ago
Reply to  Dirk Bülling

Did you change the battery in your watch?

Alan
Alan
3 years ago

I have an omega seamaster watch with a 1342 movement damaged, so I found an omega 1342 movement working on ebay (don’t know what was the watch model for this movement but not seamaster); my problem us that the watchmaker told me that the movement doesn’t fit and couldn’t be used in my watch.
Is that possible? that the same watch movement model doesn’t fit on a watch that uses that movement?

Paul
Paul
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

Not possible. Did he remove it from the dial or is he trying to replace it with the dial and everything? Go to a different watchmaker.

Alan
Alan
2 years ago
Reply to  Paul

At first he was trying to use the same dial from with everything from the spare movement but it didn’t fit on the seamaster case, then I told him to remove only the movement and replace it for the one in my seamaster watch, he was not able to do it, he said that it did not fit and he did not know why. My problem is that there are not watchmakers in my town with some knowledge on vintage watches. I’ll seek online for some. thanks for your reply.

Sach
Sach
2 years ago
Reply to  Alan

Hi , I have an omega seamaster quartz 1342 movement. Currently it works fine with reduced battery life as explained above. My question, as this watch has been handed down from father and grandfather is if you encounter problems with the movement (in the future in my case) can you replace the movement with any other? Ie will an ETA movement fit the watch? This watch would be more for sentimental reasons hence the question. Hope someone can answer. Thanks

Watchmaker
Watchmaker
1 year ago
Reply to  Sach

No ETA movement will fit, this Omega is an inhouse movement. But you can repair it or service it when needed. A good Omega watchmaker workplace can do that. They have to be carefull with the rotor and electronics, because this is a part that is no longer availeble.

Fernando Ariza B.
Fernando Ariza B.
1 year ago
Reply to  Watchmaker

i have replaced the 1342 Seamaster movement with an ETA 805.112 the only issue has been the hands. If you get the right hands for the ETA movement, it will work out. Moreover, you will need to adjust the display ,since the two small post do not fit in the ETA movement. I cut them out and fix it the display with double face tape (very thin) to movement center.

Lars UK
Lars UK
1 year ago

Yes that’s what I was thinking of doing with mine and use dial dots to fit new movement. Where did you get the hands and what did you use for dial holder as it will be slightly different? Thanks

Samuel Barros
Samuel Barros
2 years ago

I have an Omega watch quartz Seamaster 1342. I bought it (new) in Chile in 1985, and since that year it`s working well. Only a cleaning and maintenance work last year.

Robert Richardson Richardson
Robert Richardson Richardson
2 years ago

Hello
Would you have the small cell strap screws for Omega module 1342, or tell me where I could find them
Thank you
Robert

Drew T.
Drew T.
2 years ago

I don’t think you can find those exact screws unless you order them from Omega, find them on ebay, or buy a broken watch for parts. You can also just buy a box of random watch screws and see if one fits.

Robert Richardson Richardson
Robert Richardson Richardson
2 years ago
Reply to  Drew T.

My jeweler sells and services Omega watches and Omega won’t sell him the screws they want me to send the watch to them $500 for overhall. I only need a simple screw.I will look for a broken watch. Thank you for the reply

Robert

Ken
Ken
2 years ago

Might check ebay for ORIGINAL OMEGA Motor Screw Part # 2484 for Omega 1342! 5 per package!

Ken
Ken
2 years ago

Not sure if you ever found out what 40 numbering above the serial meant but mine has 42.

Omega 1342.png
Bazz
Bazz
1 year ago
Reply to  Ken

First two numbers are year of manufacture. 40 is 1977 and 42 is 1979.

Lars UK
Lars UK
1 year ago

I have a broken 1342. I suspect its the stepper motor. Tried with a spare 1342 but stepper motor also broken on that one… was wondering if I could replace with a current ETA movement, like the 805.112. However, I can’t find the dimensions for the hands. Where can I find it for the 1342? Thanks

Scott
Scott
1 year ago
Reply to  Lars UK

Hi Lars, try taking the drive gear out of the stepper motor and demagnetize it. This has worked for me on a few 1342 stepper motors….let it run for a few hours with no load before putting the drive wheels back in. Hope this helps!
-Scott

Lars UK
Lars UK
1 year ago
Reply to  Scott

Hi thanks for that. That might be beyond my abilities though as I am not an expert watch maker (should have taken on an easier caliber as one of my first projects! ) Stepper motors appear from time to time but are quite expensive hence I’m considering a transplant for a more recent Swiss movement like ETA.

Watchmaker
Watchmaker
1 year ago
Reply to  Lars UK

No ETA will fit because this is an Omega inhause movement. The stepper motor are expensive because you can’t buy them new any more. You can send the movement in for overhaull to Omega Switserland.

Cip
Cip
1 year ago
Reply to  Lars UK

Hi Lars, I definitely don’t recommend changing the original Omega movement with something else. It will no longer be an Omega, but a franken watch with zero value.
I just serviced my first cal.1342 and I can say I am impressed by the ingenuity and technical solutions used in this old caliber. Because it is so uncommon and weird, many repairable movements are butchered and lost during failed repair attempts. As other mentioned, cleanliness is paramount to have it running.
Cip

Fernando Ariza B.
Fernando Ariza B.
1 year ago
Reply to  Cip

I have got a couple of 1342 seamaster movements but I do not know their condition. If you want to try, I can send you them for a few bucks.

testpoint
testpoint
1 year ago

you can sell them within ebay, but to the step motor not running, I ever check it by microscope, no defect for it, you may just demagnetize it, it is very easy to tear down it.

Lars UK
Lars UK
1 year ago
Reply to  testpoint

I think in my case the tiny leads that connects to the connectors are broken

stanley
stanley
1 year ago

I need the quartz movement cal. 1342. Please tell me the price and purchase. Thanks!

Fernando Ariza B.
Fernando Ariza B.
1 year ago
Reply to  stanley

Hi Stanley
Where are you? . I will figure out charges for sending the 1342 movement from Colombia.

Regards

Fernando

luciano pessa
luciano pessa
1 year ago

I need the movement for the Omega 1342, can you tell me the price please

David Storton
David Storton
1 year ago

The number on mine is 4.3 with the number 574004 underneath. It also has 13 jewels.

OmegaCollector
OmegaCollector
4 months ago
Reply to  David Storton

4 3 or 43? I’ve never see it with a dot between the number. Can you upload a pic?

Scott P.
Scott P.
1 year ago

I can’t believe I learned so much from one page on the internet. This site is a true gem! Thank you to the Editor and everyone in the comments. I was going to sell this old Omega watch, now I’m keeping it for sure.

monty
monty
10 months ago

hello, the stem on my 1342 has popped out, is there anyway to put back in without getting a watchmaker involved, happened while changing the battery,

me
me
8 months ago
Reply to  monty

There is a red plastic pin popping out about half of a milimeter once stem is removed. This red plastic pin also has to be pushed to release the stem. Push this red pin and push and turn the stem carefully back into its resting position at the same time. Release the red pin before you take off the (weak) pressure from the stem.

Laurence Cavanagh
Laurence Cavanagh
8 months ago

I have an omega sea master calibre 1342, having replaced battery, found minute hand does move, but can still change date etc.

Darren
Darren
4 months ago

Just got one off ebay. Instead of a 40 mine has a 43, not sure of the meaning though

Darren
Darren
4 months ago

After trying to find the date of my watch, I’ve determined that the 40 on your caliber and 43 of mine are the first 2 numbers of the serial number of the watch and the numbers below are the rest of the serial number. I could be wrong but both yours and mine corresponds to the years these watches were manufactured, or it’s just a coincidence

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