- Posts
- 275
- Likes
- 271
bazelot
·Why not buy an orginal and have all the gaskets replaced. It will be just as waterproof (for the screw down crown version) as a Watchco one. That's what i did and it is up to specs for waterproofing.
2024 cost to build ‘WatchCo’ SM300?
- Posts
- 1,480
- Likes
- 3,025
josiahg52
·Why not buy an orginal and have all the gaskets replaced. It will be just as waterproof (for the screw down crown version) as a Watchco one. That's what i did and it is up to specs for waterproofing.
- Posts
- 275
- Likes
- 271
bazelot
·That's not always the case with an old watch and condition isn't just appearances. Sometimes what you find, or can or want to afford isn't pleasant to look at or ends up having issues not disclosed or simply not known. You might get lucky, might not. It could get expensive. The "Watchco" SM300 is still the lowest risk and probably cheapest way to get a functional SM300, even with the relatively high prices they're trading at.
- Posts
- 13,206
- Likes
- 22,964
Davidt
·I agree with @josiahg52. It’s certainly not a guarantee that even with the best of services and watchmaker that a 60 year old watch can be reliably water resistant. If the case has corrosion around key areas, short of a replacement case, there’s not much that can be done. Laser welding generally isn’t a viable solution for pitting.
There’s also the bezel. A nice original bezel is hard to find and I found myself banging my sm300 as the Bakelite bezel was excellent and any damage wouldn’t had a big impact on its charm and value.
You could say “we’ll change the case and bezel then”, but if you only have the original movement, dial and hands, better to do the whole job and use a ‘WatchCo’ for a beater, saving an original for occasional wear.
I’d note that I had no concerns wearing an Ed White as a daily, but the bezels aren’t quite as fragile, are more readily available and obviously I wasn’t getting it wet.
There’s also the bezel. A nice original bezel is hard to find and I found myself banging my sm300 as the Bakelite bezel was excellent and any damage wouldn’t had a big impact on its charm and value.
You could say “we’ll change the case and bezel then”, but if you only have the original movement, dial and hands, better to do the whole job and use a ‘WatchCo’ for a beater, saving an original for occasional wear.
I’d note that I had no concerns wearing an Ed White as a daily, but the bezels aren’t quite as fragile, are more readily available and obviously I wasn’t getting it wet.
- Posts
- 1,480
- Likes
- 3,025
- Posts
- 212
- Likes
- 391
Dimitar Adamski
·I got one 3 years ago, then sold it shortly afterwards. Now I want it again. Silly me.
- Posts
- 6
- Likes
- 0
osberts
·Hi all, been looking into the whole watchco sm300 vs will Omega re issue it themselves etc... I can see they have the heritage range with a host of amazing materials and colours etc.. And the Ploprof in rather strange dial colour. But I suppose what I am looking for is the watchco version is this right?
- Posts
- 1,480
- Likes
- 3,025
josiahg52
·Even a reissue wouldn't be similar. While the cal. 8800, for example, is a little larger than the previous generation movements, it is huge compared to the cal. 565 and others used in the SM300. If they could fit all their new technology into sometojhg the size of the long retired cal. 1120, maybe it could be done, but they'd probably upsize it anyway.
- Posts
- 6
- Likes
- 0
osberts
·Even a reissue wouldn't be similar. While the cal. 8800, for example, is a little larger than the previous generation movements, it is huge compared to the cal. 565 and others used in the SM300. If they could fit all their new technology into sometojhg the size of the long retired cal. 1120, maybe it could be done, but they'd probably upsize it anyway.
- Posts
- 175
- Likes
- 209
Hal10000
·I understand your standpoint, I'm not really sure that even a beaten up water damage 165.024 is "cheap" thought. Dont recall if I have ever seen even the worst examples sell for less than 2000EUR but as I said Im not up to date with the prices.
It seems like a better option financially to just buy a completed WatchCo watch than restoring a wreck.
I like wearing my not-that-good example without caring to much, except the water resistance it will not hurt that much to put a dent in the case or knocking the bezel (its been restored so not the 60year old bakelite). But I obviously dont do anything in water with it 😀
- Posts
- 175
- Likes
- 209
Hal10000
·I'm almost certain it would be cheaper to buy an existing watchco SM300, but if the premium isn't too much, I'd consider creating one from a knackered vintage 300. As you say, the quality of some builds is questionable but it would also be nice to get one 'new'. Just depends how much of a premium it works out at.
Funny you say that as I have strongly considered a 2254. Ultimately, I know I'd like a SM300 though
