She is 20 years old, so hope it still does qualify for the "modern watches"...

My first such a big watch project, I thought I would post it in a thread, as someone else may find it interesting too.


Bought this watch without the cards and for some time I did not really knew how old it is. Emailed Omega customer service and they said this wristwatch was handed over to the UK market in 2000, no records in Omega service history though.


The watch was +20 sec per day, so movement was first what was serviced. Cleaned and greased by an independent watchmaker, very happy how it runs now.



This was one of those watches where dial, glass and hands are still crisp, but you can tell the watch is old because of the case, bezel and bracelet. Scratches and dings everywhere.











I concluded Omego won't fix those dings, rather will offer me installation of new case and bezel. Considering the cost of a service case.. pretty sure the total cost would have killed the deal here.
She was send to an independent restoration specialist.




Some of the dings and scratches were pretty bad. Laser welding was engaged.









Then, polishing and rebrushing.
(Please disregard crown and helium valve, no work performed here, those parts are just new parts).








New pins and collars for the bracelet.


New gaskets installed and she passed 10 ATM test. That was a top pressure what what could have been tested on dry testing machine. Fair enough for me, do not have any plans to taker her into a steam room.



It took some time to manage everything, but frankly speaking it is night and day difference.
Even though she is the oldest among my watches, pretty sure now she is the best looking one






Hope you enjoyed.

 

Looks great, and very nice to see the transformation with before/during/after pictures.
Who did the work? Have one or two watches that could do with the same treatment.

 

Fantastic. Wish I had those skills.

 

Absolutely mind-boggling. I wish someone would make a video of this kind of work. In the last photo, the crispness of the line between brushed and polished case surfaces---how was that done??

 

looking great. ready for a few more decades

 

There are special case-restoration machines I would not doubt similar to the ones used to make the cases. My local watchmaker at the Rolex dealer was describing their new machines to me. Looks like a hefty investment.

Tom

 

She is definitely a looker now! Is the restoration cost actually less than buying a service case?

 

Fantastic result and good for another 20 years.

 

Wish I could answer that, but I do not know such details.

It was the guy who I know by a local watch forum, not sure is he a member here.
If you like you can check his facebook, there are many before/during/after pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/WatchesSPA/

In total I paid something around $210, as far as I know this is less than a new bezel and insert cost..

 

That's a knock out refinish...

 

That seems like a great deal for the amount and quality of work you've gotten.

 

Absolute great!

 

Great transformation and a great price

 

That’s amazing. I’m going to look that guy up.

 

First and foremost, that's a great reference, and the restoration work was top notch. Once upon a time, I owned the same model...but you know how this hobby/sickness goes I was curious: did the $210 include the movement service, or was that just the case?

 

That’s awesome.

Looking at their Facebook page, they totally recreated this Subs lug:

 

Awesome restoration. That really is a beautiful watch. Congratulations. Amazing photos as well.

 

Wow, now THAT'S a full service. Looks indistinguishable from new!

 

Cost of movement service is not included here.

 

They did a great job!