I bought this black omega Seamaster in 1984 and I'm in the process of sending it back to Omega in Switzerland to have it restored, I dont know much about it and have looked for days on the internet trying to find a similar one.any info would be great and is it worth getting restored .
ta
keith

 

I wouldn't send it to Omega Switzerland, you may not get it back.

There's not a lot of Omega DNA there, and I've never seen a round Ω date window.

Can you give us shots of the caseback, and internals if you can.

I may be wrong (it did happen in 1971) but I suspect a fake.

 

Or maybe it could be a Seamaster "Nimitz"

Model ST 396.0928 on the base 196.0229. Caliber 1337 with date. (from AJTT)

(Damn, wrong in this century as well!)

 

it has been tome before have a new battery but i would like to know more about it

 

Always check before you open your mouth.

I must remember that!

 

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/omega-seamaster-nimitz-120m-vintage-305046254 found this mate it is a nimitz

 

Hello JimInOz, what is the above picture from; is it an auction listing or an original Omega catalogue?

 

From the main Omega reference, A Journey Through Time.

See here for some info

http://www.omegawatches.com/press/press-release-detail/865

 

It's a pretty rare watch (you don't see them too often for sale at least) with a nice movement, calibre 1337. I don't know if they restore PVD watches though, that's bound to be pretty expensive, you may want to get a quote on that type of work before you send it back.

 

the bracelet is the main thing i want do i would like it restored back to its original state but dont know if the cost will outstrip the value of the watch

 

I've had it for over 30 years and haven't seen another one will be interesting to see what omega says about restoring it
keith

 

Note that the case and bracelet is not PVD covered but in black chrome! Re chroming should be relatively easy!? At least normal chrome is not a big deal.
I have no idea on where to do that but these guys showed up on Google: http://www.olymco.com/black-chrome.aspx

 

Isn't there an omega watch similar to this called the calypso?

 

Looking at the Extranet, the case and bracelet are both discontinued - you can't even buy spare links for the bracelet. Although the original finish was black chrome, the replacement crown they offer is matte PVD. I would ask a lot of questions before letting them refinish anything on this watch, as they may only refinish using PVD instead of the original finish. I would think changing the finish would not do a lot for whatever value this watch has...

Cheers, Al

 

Not my area of focus but having restored cars on hobby basis I have briefly been using chrome plating services.
As far as I can find, black chrome is no different than ordinary chrome plating.
Having a watchmaker take the watch apart, including bracelet parts, and then send them off for replating could be an option!? Not cheap for sure but it would bring it back to near original condition.
Or am I missing something here?

 

is it worth getting it restored i really have no clue what its worth how many were made ect i was offered $150 at a watch shop few years ago

 

It depends. At present the collectors are not really swarming around the quartz models. However the model you have is quite unique, but beaten up. USD150 is on the low side IMHO.

 

I had to think about it for a while. I just knew I had held a watch in my hands with a black chrome style finish.
Finally realized it was a Seiko Kinetic diver I gave as a gift to my young nephew a while back.


Seiko has named this treatment ION plating. Might be the same or similar to 25 year old "black chrome"?

 

anyone have any idea what one fully restored is worth

 

Not too much I guess, but I have been wrong before.