1984 Black Omega Seamster 120 m

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bikerbear1

·Apr 10, 2015

webvan

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.

is it worth restoring it or is it not worth the cost

 

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Northernman

·Apr 10, 2015·Lemaniac

If you plan to make money on selling it I would assume you just as well should put it up for auction "pre restoration".
How much, or little, it is worth is hard to say. There are not many of these watches out there, and amongst potential buyers there might be one (or hopefully more) guys seeing some potential.
If you on the other hand like the watch (I assume you do since you bought it in the first place) and would like to continue using it, then for sure it could be worth it.
I would have asked around with good quality watchmakers in your area for quotes. Have them disassemble the watch and bracelet. Service the movement, and replace the crystal. As for the case, i would not have gone the "PVD" way. This will modify it from its original design and hence reduce the value to a "time telling device", and such can be bought at USD10 all over.
The black chrome case and bracelet I am sure can be restored. It is a matter of finding someone to take it on. I can see that refinishing of guns in black chrome is somewhat popular in parts of the states. Maybe a gunsmith can give some ideas? Just don't leave the servicing of the rest of the watch to a gunsmith😉.

Good luck!

 

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bikerbear1

·Apr 10, 2015

i dont want to sell it i have had it for over 30 years i would just like it back to its original state but if the cost is to high then it will just stay in the drawer
thanks

 

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Northernman

·Apr 10, 2015·Lemaniac

If it was my watch I would take it on as a small "medium term" project. Do some research and ask around if anyone can re-plate the case and bracelet in black chrome. The rest is a matter of servicing a quartz watch. It should not be too bad!

 

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buddman

·Apr 10, 2015

Highly recommended by many that need cases restored

http://www.replateit.com/finishes---colors.html

They are in Canada and you need to send only the case and bracelet parts, not the whole watch.

 

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Northernman

·Apr 10, 2015·Lemaniac

buddman

Highly recommended by many that need cases restored

http://www.replateit.com/finishes---colors.html

They are in Canada and you need to send only the case and bracelet parts, not the whole watch.

I have used them before. Great guys, however uncertain if they do black chrome finish?

 

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lillatroll

·Apr 10, 2015

The ones I found on the internet were going for about 500 euro, there was one on ebay that was a ladies watch, for 850 dollars. There were not many that came up. if you are going to keep it and use it then I think it is worth paying the money

 

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dantaspaulo

·Apr 10, 2015

lillatroll

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

Yep. I happen to have one which I wear when swimming (plus it's a birthyear watch I got for under $200 😁)

 

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lillatroll

·Apr 10, 2015

dantaspaulo

Yep. I happen to have one which I wear when swimming (plus it's a birthyear watch I got for under $200 😁)

Its a nice watch, are they big or small on the wrist?

 

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rogart

·Apr 10, 2015

Nice watches this rare quartz. To bad there difficult to repair . That is probably why they aren't worth so much . BTW is your insert alright . Is it cracked or not ? It's very hard to find an insert that isn't cracked . Because they are made in mineral crystal . I think you should keep it as is . Maybe have the movement serviced . Which is pretty easy . But small parts .

 

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Event horizon

·Apr 10, 2015

I remember looking at these about fifteen years ago and really liking them, even then the black coating was wearing thin on them. When new these were a very handsome watch and I think the op's watch deserves a restoration. Due to the fragility of the finish it's very justifiable.

 

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bikerbear1

·Apr 10, 2015

thanks for the replies I'm sending it off to omega today

 

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bikerbear1

·Apr 23, 2015

sent my watch off been told it will cost $1300 to restore is it worth it i ask

 

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Darlinboy

·Apr 23, 2015·Pratts! Will I B******S!!!

B bikerbear1

sent my watch off been told it will cost $1300 to restore is it worth it i ask

If you plan to wear and enjoy it for years, perhaps yes. Ask yourself if you'd pay $1300 to buy it in restored condition from someone else. Leave the fact that you already own it out of the equation.

If you're going to sell it, no. Rare does not equal valuable. IMO you would be well underwater on a sale after restoration.

 

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bikerbear1

·Apr 23, 2015

have no idea what they are worth in perfect condition but yes i bought it 31 yrs ago in the falkland islands so it has sentimental value

 

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lillatroll

·Apr 23, 2015

if you want to keep it then get it restored otherwise it will probably sit in a draw, which is a shame IMHO, better to sell it to someone who would spend the money on it and give it a new lease of life if you don't want to spend the money yourself.

 

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Event horizon

·Apr 23, 2015

B bikerbear1

sent my watch off been told it will cost $1300 to restore is it worth it i ask

Is that a Bienne price? If so I would hunt round I'm sure there's other places that could do the work for a lot less. It might involve using a couple of different companies, one for the case refinishing and a watchmaker to do the service.

 

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SeanO

·Apr 23, 2015

is there $1300 worth of memories wrapped up in it?

otherwise a competent watch repair guy with an Omega account (not knowing where you are) will be able to service the watch and the replate/re-chrome will be done along with the service by someone your repair guy trusts.

 

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bikerbear1

·Jul 1, 2015

Hello again well i received my Omega Nimitz back from Switzerland ,they refurbished the movement cleaned and lubricated it put in new watch face, hands, new crystal face ,new winder and new back , unfortunately they say they cant re coat the bracelet or replace it likewise with the cracked glass in the bezel they cant replace that either

total cost $1150 au .now the interesting thing in my original request i stated i wanted the bracelet and bezel restored or replaced they never told me they could not do that soothes agreed they did not do what i asked for so the refunded the total cost back to me . now thats what i call service

 

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Northernman

·Jul 2, 2015·Lemaniac

Thats what I call a good service price!😀
Take good care of the original parts. If the watch at some point gains status for collectors those items will mean a lot to the value!
As mentioned ealier in this thread there are companies that does DLC re-surfacing...

Enjoy the watch! It is kind of cool "as is" IMO!