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1944/45 Omega 30T2 movement - is it fixable?

steve_s
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Hi folks, this is my second post to this forum. The first post was to identify the watch - thanks to those that helped.

This post is asking for opinion on whether this case is repairable.

There are two issues: the first is that the stem tube is broken (see photo) and the second is that corrosion has damaged the case in that area (see photo).

I'm an amateur watch-fettler. I've put new movements into dead Seiko's and taken apart a few movements, but not an expert. But this is a simple movement and I would like to fix it if I can. It's a friend's heirloom and he's very fond of it but doesnt have the money to get it done professionally, even it it were feasible.

Thanks in advance for your advice.
Photo on 25-02-2025 at 14.42.webp FCEFEC9C-938C-487B-AB97-FF91A27413F1.webp
 
redpcar
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Case tube is not a problem. Removing the old one could be fun. It will take some work to get the rust clear. There will probably other corrosion issues (set lever, clutch, mainspring, etc). If it's an heirloom, clean, oil, adjust. Enjoy the history. Heavy polishing on the lugs left 50% of the metal. Still functional. Not going to be as robust.
What does the dial look like?
 
steve_s
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redpcar redpcar
Case tube is not a problem. Removing the old one could be fun. It will take some work to get the rust clear. There will probably other corrosion issues (set lever, clutch, mainspring, etc). If it's an heirloom, clean, oil, adjust. Enjoy the history. Heavy polishing on the lugs left 50% of the metal. Still functional. Not going to be as robust.
What does the dial look like?
How is the case tube fitted in? How would one extract it? TIA.
 
redpcar
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Pressed in. Extracting a rusty tube is going to be messy. 100% chance it will break off if you try and pull it from the outside. Soak the (empty) case in some rust busting oil. There are some videos out there. I always try to press it out from the inside. Careful not to nick things up.
 
steve_s
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To complete this story, I am sending the watch to a Youtuber in the UK who impressed me. Fixing this watch is beyond my current skills - particularly the rust. And it's a friends heirloom, which raises the stakes.
 
KeithP
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Hi Steve,
I appreciate from your earlier post that the owner doesn’t have the funds for a professional repair, but that the watch is an heirloom they want to keep. I’m sure you’ve done the research on the YouTuber in the UK you are going to send it to, but didn’t know if you were aware of Mitka who does repairs in the UK? I’m not affiliated to his business, but he did service my watch with a 30T2 movement last year - that movement turned out to be quite rusted in places and he did a great job at a fair price.

Mitka charges a £35 inspection fee (deductible if you decided to get any work going forward), which might give your friend a low cost option of getting a professional hands-on assessment on any future repair?
 
steve_s
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KeithP KeithP
Hi Steve,
I appreciate from your earlier post that the owner doesn’t have the funds for a professional repair, but that the watch is an heirloom they want to keep. I’m sure you’ve done the research on the YouTuber in the UK you are going to send it to, but didn’t know if you were aware of Mitka who does repairs in the UK? I’m not affiliated to his business, but he did service my watch with a 30T2 movement last year - that movement turned out to be quite rusted in places and he did a great job at a fair price.

Mitka charges a £35 inspection fee (deductible if you decided to get any work going forward), which might give your friend a low cost option of getting a professional hands-on assessment on any future repair?
Thanks, Keith. I'll post to this thread when I get the result. I appreciate the info.
 
Dan S
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Another option is to do nothing, which is what I would strongly recommend in this situation. If the watch is damaged, it is more than a financial hit because of the sentimental value. Maybe the owner can just put the watch away and wait until a time when they have the funds to repair the watch correctly. Go slowly, every vintage collector learns this lesson the hard way at some point.
 
Archer
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steve_s steve_s
It's a friend's heirloom and he's very fond of it
steve_s steve_s
I am sending the watch to a Youtuber in the UK who impressed me.
Add 2 eggs and a little flour and the recipe for disaster is done...
 
steve_s
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Archer Archer
Add 2 eggs and a little flour and the recipe for disaster is done...
Haha. Yes, it's possible. And if it turns out that way, this forum will be the first to know.
 
steve_s
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Archer Archer
Add 2 eggs and a little flour and the recipe for disaster is done...
Reflecting a bit more, it's a judgement. He wants it done, he doesn't want to pay Omega megabucks, I'm not skilled enough. So we (well, he and our friendship) have got to take a risk. But I promise to let you know, which I'm hoping will radiate self-satisfaction (in a modest kind of way, of course).
 
Archer
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steve_s steve_s
Reflecting a bit more, it's a judgement. He wants it done, he doesn't want to pay Omega megabucks, I'm not skilled enough. So we (well, he and our friendship) have got to take a risk. But I promise to let you know, which I'm hoping will radiate self-satisfaction (in a modest kind of way, of course).
Care to share the YouTuber? The problem is, there isn't one of these yet that I have seen work that is done right, and often they demonstrate very poor practices along the way, so unless you have found the proverbial unicorn...
 
TexOmega
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Archer Archer
Care to share the YouTuber? The problem is, there isn't one of these yet that I have seen work that is done right, and often they demonstrate very poor practices along the way, so unless you have found the proverbial unicorn...


So, you're saying there is a chance?(Dumb&Dumber) 😁

Image 5.webp
 
steve_s
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Archer Archer
Care to share the YouTuber? The problem is, there isn't one of these yet that I have seen work that is done right, and often they demonstrate very poor practices along the way, so unless you have found the proverbial unicorn...

DALL·E 2025-03-03 19.51.33 - A majestic unicorn delicately mending a vintage pocket watch wit...webp
 
steve_s
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So, a while later, I have the watch back from repair and MrYouTube (who shall remain nameless, he has more than enough business, I think) has done a stunning job on the restoration. And for a reasonable price (less than his quote). I have sent the watch on to my friend, who is thrilled.

I confess, I am relieved and very pleased.

It's a lesson for me - don't bite off more than you can chew. I did the right thing and stopped when I realised it was beyond my abilities. As the philosopher Dirty Harry said "A man's got to know his limitations".

I'm now practising on charity shop broken watches at £4 a pop. Less stressful.

Thanks to all who commented,
IMG_6630_thumb.webp
 
Clelow
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Nice to hear a happy ending. Sounds like you did locate the unicorn!
 
KeithP
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Hi Steve,
Really pleased for you, and the owner, that this turned out well. Would be interested if you have any more photos, as the one you’ve posted seems to have loaded in low res and it’s difficult to appreciate the work that was done. Thanks
 
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