1962 Omega Seamaster 300. 165014-62

Hello, first post here on the Omega Watch forum.

I recently read this article My Pub Find Omega Seamaster 300 CK2913 And Restoration Process. I was thinking as I was reading it, the watch in the article looked familiar…and it did. Sadly, it is not the “exact same watch”, but it’s very close. The watch I have has been sitting in a dresser drawer in my house since it was gifted to me in 1989. And if I were to guess, the gifters dresser drawer for another 10 years or so before that. When I picked up the watch, I shook it and it ran for hours. The watch did make it out of the drawer in 2010. I sent the watch to Omega to see if they could restore the watch and they could not, so it went back into the drawer.

I did some research (with help from this forum) and I have (almost positive) a 1962 Omega Seamaster 300. 165014. Serial Number 1965XXXX. Movement Cal 550, 17 Jewel. I am guessing it’s all original. I don’t know if it’s a Gen 1 or Gen 2 or if it’s transitional. Also read it could be a 14755?

Inside the case - the markings on the case read 165014-62 with “IF” in Center and below the serial number are “CF”.

I never touched the watch; the watch is in the exact state of how I received the watch. The watch probably needs a service. I know the movement is missing a screw that holds the rotor to the movement, I will need that to be replaced. I have read there’s a guy that works on vintage Omegas in the Financial District, Manhattan (I live on LI), the watch might go there soon. Funny thing about the missing screw, when the watch was returned from being evaluated at Omega the screw was missing?

The watch needs a Bakelite Bezel insert or a bezel restoration (I have read about Aldo). I can live without the bezel but would be nice if it were on the watch.

I am not a purist; aftermarket, reproduction parts or knockoff parts are ok by me. I am not selling the watch or going to misrepresent what the watch is. I do want to keep the internal movement and workings original. The outside and bracelet I can Franken, the inside I want original.

I do like bracelets over bands, the original 7912-16 bracelets out there are very expensive! So, at this time I need to look for an aftermarket bracelet 7912-16 or another Omega bracelet that would work with the watch. Again, I am not against reproduction parts or aftermarket parts of any kind that work. So, if I can find a really nice knockoff, it’s a go.

So much going on right now, I can’t throw the money that this watch needs to get back to “pristine” original status. When it is restored it will be worn and will not sit in a drawer no more!

Any advice or direction is welcome, hell you can even rip me apart for frankening the watch, it’s all good…I want to hear it.

Cheers,

Bayrat

WOW! Thank you!! I like the US1171 Omega Speedmaster Bracelet 19mm and 20mm, if it fits?

Contact George at Tempvs Fvgit Homepage and you will be very happy with his service. 👍

Welcome to OF! What a fine first post 😀 I would just get a bezel, overhaul the movement, get a strap/ bracelet and polish the crystal. It´s really nice to hear that you will use the watch as intended! Looking forward to see som pics on the "restored" watch soon.
All the best!

Not going to happen. The best the OP can hope for is one of those craftsmen that creates a new bezel refill for his existing piece.

Welcome to OF!

I need a drawer with CK2913 inside. It seems they are popping up more frequently lately.

The watch doesn’t need much to be a stunner. A movement only service and perhaps a crystal.

Another option for the bezel restoration is Rene from Germany. I hear the turnaround time is much quicker and communication is good. His Instagram handle is @Of_golden_times if you want to get in contact.

All the best 👍

NICE WATCH!

There are a few posts on the 1962 Omega 300. One here - Inherited my Grandfather's old Seamaster 300 | Omega Forums. What a Beautiful watch!


One poster says to "not polish, buff or restore the case".


Another poster says "The single most important decision is which independent watchmaker to send it to. Should leave dial, hands, plexy, crown untouched. A first-class service to the movement, ultrasonic cleaning of the case (NOT the bezel) - without any polishing or refinishing. And that's it"


Back to this watch - SO, should I just do a service to the movement only and not clean the dial and hands? If I clean up the dial and hands will it depreciate the value of the watch?

Does anyone know of a very reputable independent watchmaker in the NYC area that can do an honest service on this watch and replace the missing screw? I would prefer them to be in Nassau County because that’s where I live BUT Brooklyn and Queens are a short drive away and Manhattan is a 45-minute train ride away. So, it’s all within reach.


I was told about two independent watchmakers to go to. Central Watch or Grand Central Watch and Tempvs Fvgit on 25th. Has anyone here used them before? What can I expect to pay for this service?


I was thinking of sending the bezel to a get a Bezel inlay done. I have been contacted by Lukas and there is Aldo, Rene and Lukas who do this service, they are all outside of the USA. Is there a person in the USA that does this service?


If I were to do the bezel restoration should the independent watchmaker, who will be doing the movement service, take the bezel off. So, I just the bezel? Or take the movement out and send the case or send the whole case and movement?


Bracelet - Looking into getting an Uncle Seiko or a Forstner Flat Link Bracelet? Are there any other bracelets that would be close to the Flat Link Bracelet?




Thank you all in advance!

There are a few posts on the 1962 Omega 300. One here - Inherited my Grandfather's old Seamaster 300 | Omega Forums. What a Beautiful watch!

One poster says to "not polish, buff or restore the case".

Another poster says "The single most important decision is which independent watchmaker to send it to. Should leave dial, hands, plexy, crown untouched. A first-class service to the movement, ultrasonic cleaning of the case (NOT the bezel) - without any polishing or refinishing. And that's it"

Back to this watch - SO, should I just do a service to the movement only and not clean the dial and hands? If I clean up the dial and hands will it depreciate the value of the watch?

Does anyone know of a very reputable independent watchmaker in the NYC area that can do an honest service on this watch and replace the missing screw? I would prefer them to be in Nassau County because that’s where I live BUT Brooklyn and Queens are a short drive away and Manhattan is a 45-minute train ride away. So, it’s all within reach.

I was told about two independent watchmakers to go to. Central Watch or Grand Central Watch and Tempvs Fvgit on 25th. Has anyone here used them before? What can I expect to pay for this service?

I was thinking of sending the bezel to a get a Bezel inlay done. I have been contacted by Lukas and there is Aldo, Rene and Lukas who do this service, they are all outside of the USA. Is there a person in the USA that does this service?

If I were to do the bezel restoration should the independent watchmaker, who will be doing the movement service, take the bezel off. So, I just the bezel? Or take the movement out and send the case or send the whole case and movement?

Bracelet - Looking into getting an Uncle Seiko or a Forstner Flat Link Bracelet? Are there any other bracelets that would be close to the Flat Link Bracelet?


Thank you all in advance!

Dan S. I buy new watches (and not many) and then they get old. This is my first time sending a watch to get serviced. I was told, if the watch is not broken, don’t send it in. Now, this may or may not be good advice? But I want to do it right with this watch. I honestly had no idea of its worth, that’s why it sat in a dresser drawer for so many years! Thank you for your input, this is exactly the information I am looking for. Now I need to find a place that is honest and good in the eyes of the forum, to send the watch to get serviced at. Who other than the people here would know?

Cheers, Bayrat

For the bezel, there are two main watchmakers who do it. One is Aldo at Udine (IT) who does a very good job but takes ages. He prefers to be sent just the bezel, but expect months to have it back. The second is a German Watchmaker (Rene, Ofgoldentimes on IG). have been told that his quality is also excellent, some say better - some tells worse than Aldo.

This watch has an Omega 550 Automatic Movement, 17 jewels. The movement is missing the two bridge screws that hold the part number “1031 upper bridge 2” in place on the movement. Here is the part on eBay and it looks to be the exact part on my watch.
I want to purchase the correct omega missing screws. Then bring the watch and the correct screws to a watchmaker and have them replace the correct screws. Yes, I could throw the screws in myself, but I want a watchmaker to do this.

Does anyone know the screw part number and where I can purchase the omega screws quickly on eBay or the like? Thank you in advance.

I am back and forth on the watch; I really don’t know what to do; sell, trade or service and enjoy the watch??? I am leaning towards servicing and wearing for a little while. I 100% do know this, I have a gem on my hands, and I want to do right by the watch.

I have had the watch forever, no money out of pocket. I am not against throwing money at the watch, just to do a “proper Omega service”, done by a “proper Omega watchmaker” That’s it for now, nothing else. I would think doing a proper service would be a good thing regardless if I sell the watch or not? I think from the start, if I did it “right” it would add value or keep the value the same, not devalue the watch?

What I think is odd is I am looking for the “Omega Watchmaker of choice” here on the forum or like a top ten in the USA. The Omega watchmaker that almost anyone here would say “ahhh very good choice”. I did the searches here and on other forums but no one watchmaker is jumping out?

I live so close to Manhattan and with all the high-end watches in that town. You would think NYC and the surrounding areas would have a good number of “GoTo” vintage omega watchmakers that can do a proper and honest service?