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1985 Omega Chronograph Caliber 861............what Do You Think?
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Sgt_Bilko
·It's not cheap, but not excessive by any means if the condition is right and it comes as a full set. That's pretty cheap for a service compared to here in the UK. I recently paid the best part of $600 with Swiss Time Service.
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Skyblue44
·There was a "make an offer" option, so it was less than the buy it now $2,000 price. Service here in South Korea is about $180 for chronographs at the local watchmaker (not the official Omega service wich is about $600), so it will be OK price wise.
Anyway, as a big fan of the moonwatch, I was really excited to find a 36mm dress watch with the 861 movement. The clean dial with minimal text is really appealing as well. I will post pics when I get the watch.
One question though, I can't really distinguish the silver dial from the white dial based on posts here. Does anyone have comparison pics of the two?
Anyway, as a big fan of the moonwatch, I was really excited to find a 36mm dress watch with the 861 movement. The clean dial with minimal text is really appealing as well. I will post pics when I get the watch.
One question though, I can't really distinguish the silver dial from the white dial based on posts here. Does anyone have comparison pics of the two?
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Sgt_Bilko
·I bought mine as a full set a few years ago for less, but it wasn't NOS by any means. If you receive all the goodies and it checks out properly I'd say that's a very good deal, especially with that bracelet.
It's difficult to photograph the silver dial and do it justice. Very often it appears white in photos, but there is a clear difference I imagine when you see them side by side. Here is a snap I shot shortly after mine came back from the service, which has the silver hands on silver dial. It's very definitely silver and would never be mistaken for white if seen in person. The silver is eye catching, but occasionally tricky for telling the time.
It's difficult to photograph the silver dial and do it justice. Very often it appears white in photos, but there is a clear difference I imagine when you see them side by side. Here is a snap I shot shortly after mine came back from the service, which has the silver hands on silver dial. It's very definitely silver and would never be mistaken for white if seen in person. The silver is eye catching, but occasionally tricky for telling the time.
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Skyblue44
·I bought mine as a full set a few years ago for less, but it wasn't NOS by any means. If you receive all the goodies and it checks out properly I'd say that's a very good deal, especially with that bracelet.
It's difficult to photograph the silver dial and do it justice. Very often it appears white in photos, but there is a clear difference I imagine when you see them side by side. Here is a snap I shot shortly after mine came back from the service, which has the silver hands on silver dial. It's very definitely silver and would never be mistaken for white if seen in person. The silver is eye catching, but occasionally tricky for telling the time.
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Skyblue44
·Well, I finally received the watch today. I think it is indeed NOS, although there were some scuffs probably from being shop worn, nothing major. And I think this one is actually a silver dial, not white. I am starting to wonder what a white dial looks like since all of the ones here on this thread actually seem to be silver.
It also came with instructions for a different caliber, but I don't really care. It seems to be keeping good time, although it has only been a few hours. Maybe I can put off servicing for a few years.
Resized the bracelet myself. All in all, I really like it and think this will be a keeper. Here are the pics!
Obligatory wrist shot. My wrists are on the thin side.
Next to my 36mm vintage Seamaster for comparison. It is amazing that this De Ville has a Moon Watch movement beating inside it.
It also came with instructions for a different caliber, but I don't really care. It seems to be keeping good time, although it has only been a few hours. Maybe I can put off servicing for a few years.
Resized the bracelet myself. All in all, I really like it and think this will be a keeper. Here are the pics!
Obligatory wrist shot. My wrists are on the thin side.
Next to my 36mm vintage Seamaster for comparison. It is amazing that this De Ville has a Moon Watch movement beating inside it.
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Sgt_Bilko
·That looks like a silver one for sure. The white dial would be more uniform and not change appearance much with small shifts in light. You can see a white dial one here that was on sale recently https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-deville-chronograph-cal-861-serviced-price-drop.56755/
I wouldn't put off servicing if you have 20 year oil in there. You have a great looking watch with a legendary movement. A service would ensure you can wear it every day without risking any damage.
I wouldn't put off servicing if you have 20 year oil in there. You have a great looking watch with a legendary movement. A service would ensure you can wear it every day without risking any damage.
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Skyblue44
·Thanks Sgt_Bilko. I see the difference between white and silver now. In addition to the slight color difference, the white dial seems to have a clear line going around the sub dials. I don't think that is as attractive as the silver dial, at least for me.
The time keeping is still spot on, after 12 hours. Will probably get it checked out, but I was of the opinion that you don't need to service a watch until it starts showing the tell tale signs of needing one. Then again I never was in this kind of situation with a 20 year new watch.
I will also need to go get some 19mm straps now!
The time keeping is still spot on, after 12 hours. Will probably get it checked out, but I was of the opinion that you don't need to service a watch until it starts showing the tell tale signs of needing one. Then again I never was in this kind of situation with a 20 year new watch.
I will also need to go get some 19mm straps now!
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kingcesc
·Nice watch, What is the ref number of bracelet, @Skyblue44 . Is it 1507/834?
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Skyblue44
·Thanks kingcesc. On the clasp it is marked 1509/836. It reminds me of my Oris Artelier bracelet. I will probably switch to a leather strap to give the watch a less formal look.
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Sgt_Bilko
·Thanks Sgt_Bilko. I see the difference between white and silver now. In addition to the slight color difference, the white dial seems to have a clear line going around the sub dials. I don't think that is as attractive as the silver dial, at least for me.
The time keeping is still spot on, after 12 hours. Will probably get it checked out, but I was of the opinion that you don't need to service a watch until it starts showing the tell tale signs of needing one. Then again I never was in this kind of situation with a 20 year new watch.
I will also need to go get some 19mm straps now!
If the watch has never been serviced in 20 years the oils may be all but useless I would imagine, regardless of previous usage. The risk is that it will work fine for a while, but incur some damage in the process, so not servicing becomes a false economy. You really just need to have it checked out and take it from there, but the real expert who could shed some light on this is @Archer
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Sgt_Bilko
·@Skyblue44 Here is an article I found on the subject of when a watch needs to be serviced. https://wahawatches.com/when-to-service-a-mechanical-watch/
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McJamesT
·I cant speak to the watch's validity but I can say its a beautiful timepiece. Yet another watch I didnt know existed before now and would love to track down!
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Skyblue44
·@Sgt_Bilko, thanks for the info. Will definitely keep that in mind.
On a different matter, does anyone have some tips on getting the bracelet off?
I usually don't have any problems with this, but it is really tight and the spring bar keeps popping back into the lug hole. I am thinking about inserting a toothpick to prevent the bar from doing this while I push the opposite one from its lug hole. If you have other suggestions, that would be great!
Thanks,
On a different matter, does anyone have some tips on getting the bracelet off?
I usually don't have any problems with this, but it is really tight and the spring bar keeps popping back into the lug hole. I am thinking about inserting a toothpick to prevent the bar from doing this while I push the opposite one from its lug hole. If you have other suggestions, that would be great!
Thanks,
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Skyblue44
·Well, the "block with toothpick" method worked and I managed to get the bracelet off without damage to the watch.
The only 19mm strap I have now is this Di-Modell rally strap, so here it is on the wrist. Not quite the look I was going for, but it gave me a good idea of how this watch feels on a strap and I like it better than on the bracelet.
Ordered a RIOS ostrich strap yesterday, so this is just a temporary solution.
The only 19mm strap I have now is this Di-Modell rally strap, so here it is on the wrist. Not quite the look I was going for, but it gave me a good idea of how this watch feels on a strap and I like it better than on the bracelet.
Ordered a RIOS ostrich strap yesterday, so this is just a temporary solution.
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Sgt_Bilko
·It's looking fantastic already and the condition does look like NOS. Interesting to note your comments about feeling better on a leather strap. I don't have the bracelet and often thought about getting one purely for the looks. The current leather strap is comfortable though.
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Skyblue44
·Thanks Sgt_Bilko. I felt like the watch wore smaller on the bracelet and perhaps a little too formal. I think an ostrich strap should provide just the right amount of casualness to the watch. Looking forward to receiving it.
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Sgt_Bilko
·I happen to think the stainless steel bracelet on this model is particularly nice looking, but I would have to remove lots of links due to my small wrists, which rather spoils the effect. It's the same with all my watches.
Since coming back from the service I've not even looked at the other watches, which is ironic, because I like vintage watches and this is the only one that isn't vintage among almost 40 watches.
Since coming back from the service I've not even looked at the other watches, which is ironic, because I like vintage watches and this is the only one that isn't vintage among almost 40 watches.
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Skyblue44
·I had to remove quite a few myself, which indicates why I like this watch with a 36mm diameter.
The more I wear it, the more I like it. It has a small diameter, but due to the movement and height, good wrist presence. Glad I stumbled upon it.
The more I wear it, the more I like it. It has a small diameter, but due to the movement and height, good wrist presence. Glad I stumbled upon it.
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Skyblue44
·Managed to dig up a strap that fits better. It is a 20mm Rios bridle leather strap, but it fits pretty well. I will keep the watch on this one for a while.
