2577-7 - help me restore

grandadjewels · Mon. 8:18pm

As far as I know,
1. This is my grand dad’s watch.
2. He was the first owner.
3. My family never took care of it and here we are.

I want to get this watch up and running. Here is what I have found so far.
1. Missing crown (actively looking in my house to find it)
2. So no way to wind it or test it.
3. Took it to two random watch repair shops and got a quote of $350 to $500
4. Taking it to Omega service center and it might come out to either $700 or $3000 depending on what they think the charges are.

I don’t have watch repair experience but I’m open to doing it myself (that’s where I could use help) or seeking your help in figure out how to find a watch repair guy who could fix this.

Finally, can the dial be cleaned up a bit? It’s a little too stained for my liking.

dsio · Mon. 8:21pm

It looks like the auto winding system is missing. There should be the entire bumper automatic winding mechanism on top of it, was that removed for the photo or was it missing?

If it’s missing you might need to find a donor watch as I don’t know that a winding system for these is available even with a parts account at this point, it might be in the back to Bienne category

grandadjewels · Mon. 8:30pm

dsio
It looks like the auto winding system is missing. There should be the engine bumper mechanism on top of it, was that removed for the photo or was it missing?

If it’s missing you might need to find a donor watch as I don’t know that a winding system for these is available even with a parts account at this point, it might be in the back to Vienne category

What’s “Vienne”?

I don’t have any other parts. Is “engine bumper” the actual term?

I don’t see it in this sheet. Can you help me point what you mean?

Dan S · Mon. 8:50pm

A number of critical parts are missing. In its current state, it might be restored as a hand-winding watch, but would not operate as an auto-winding watch. Sadly, this may be part of the history of the watch. It stopped working properly, and someone just completely removed the auto-winding mechanism and converted it to hand winding.

To restore it, you could try to identify every missing part and hunt them down individually, but buying an ugly watch with the correct working movement as a parts watch would be a better approach, IMO.

Also, it's unlikely that the condition of the dial can be improved. In those days, when a dial was damaged, the owner just had it completely repainted, destroying any remaining charm entirely.

It's interesting that yours has a red sweep hand, I also had a 2577 with a similar hand. I wish I still had it TBH. What a nice little watch it was. 🙁

dsio · Mon. 9:01pm

G grandadjewels
What’s “Vienne”?

I don’t have any other parts. Is “engine bumper” the actual term?

I don’t see it in this sheet. Can you help me point what you mean?

Sorry autocorrect garbled that, "Entire bumper" as in entire bumper automatic winding system, its everything related to the oscillating weight on that parts list. Vienne should have been Bienne, Omega's HQ, I don't know if these parts are available from Omega even with a parts account anymore, but I can't be sure as I don't have access. It would likely be cheapest to just buy a donor movement, many are being melted with gold price what it is currently so its a good time to buy donor movements. You'll just want to make sure you rebuild it with a matching calibre and use your original serial number containing plate.

grandadjewels · Mon. 9:05pm

dsio
Sorry autocorrect garbled that, "Entire bumper" as in entire bumper automatic winding system, its everything related to the oscillating weight on that parts list. Vienne should have been Bienne, Omega's HQ, I don't know if these parts are available from Omega even with a parts account anymore, but I can't be sure as I don't have access. It would likely be cheapest to just buy a donor movement, many are being melted with gold price what it is currently so its a good time to buy donor movements. You'll just want to make sure you rebuild it with a matching calibre and use your original serial number containing plate.

Thank you for the guidance. Two main questions for you guys
1. There is an omega service center where I live. Is going there worth it? Anything I should be aware of before going?
2. What are the best places to buy these donor movements? eBay and chrono24?

sheepdoll · Mon. 9:05pm

As noted many parts are missing, about 1/3 of the watch, This includes the serial number plate that would date it.

Basically what you have here is a case. This is a desirable case, There are many more movements than cases.

There is nothing that can be done with the dial.

At the moment 35x movements are trending on eBay. Probably as the gold cases are melted.

If you do want to attempt to restore it yourself, purchace some good cheap mechanical watches in tip top running state. There are some nice modern mechanical movements that are easy to work with. It is best to start with a working watch that keeps time, so you learn what the goal is.

Attempting to repair a single watch is a money pit. You will never have one watch, there will always be a parts watch.

I love working on these. I have a dozen or more. It gets addictive. At least 4 of them are missing the hairspring what regulates the timekeeping.

There is also a number of threads in the watchmaking forum you can read about this wonderful and entertaining hobby.

grandadjewels · Mon. 9:06pm

Dan S
A number of critical parts are missing. In its current state, it might be restored as a hand-winding watch, but would not operate as an auto-winding watch. Sadly, this may be part of the history of the watch. It stopped working properly, and someone just completely removed the auto-winding mechanism and converted it to hand winding.

To restore it, you could try to identify every missing part and hunt them down individually, but buying an ugly watch with the correct working movement as a parts watch would be a better approach, IMO.

Also, it's unlikely that the condition of the dial can be improved. In those days, when a dial was damaged, the owner just had it completely repainted, destroying any remaining charm entirely.

It's interesting that yours has a red sweep hand, I also had a 2577 with a similar hand. I wish I still had it TBH. What a nice little watch it was. 🙁

Thank you for the reply and the pictures. What a beautiful watch.

I see the two main big parts I’m missing atleast

sheepdoll · Mon. 9:10pm

dsio
I don't know if these parts are available from Omega even with a parts account anymore,

I think omega can make any mechanical part, hence the 3000 quote.
The OP does not have a SN that part is missing, so there is no SN to match. Not sure how omega deals with that.

Spruce · Mon. 9:15pm

These are photos of my 1950 2577 calibre 351 Seamaster - although you’ll note that my original dial doesn’t say ‘Seamaster' and that is because at some stage your grandfather had the dial on your watch repainted. I bought mine on eBay a few years back for about £400-500.

The movement (which works well and accurately) is what yours should look like.

We're all collectors on OF and can understand your wish to restore your watch but the reality is that however much money you spend on it, it will never be the 'same' watch and given the actual value of a watch like this your understandable wish to restore it is probably expensive sentimentality.

I’m sorry to rain on your parade but …..

If you look on eBay for Omega bumper watches, there are many in better condition at around the £500 mark and you may think it’s worth getting a 'homage' to your grandfather's watch than spending money in what may be a forlorn attempt to restore his badly damaged one.

grandadjewels · Mon. 9:33pm

Thank you everyone! I’m sad to hear the reality.

I’m talking to my dad and we’ll do a cost analysis to see what our options are.

If nothing else, we’ll just sell this one for parts and buy an homage 😔

MtV · Tues. 12:45am

My 2 cents, if I may: An homage won’t be a piece to remember a relative from.
The missing parts aren’t a particularly big issue. Buy an unserviced movement of eBay for 150-200$. Once your watchmaker is done with the service, sell the remaining parts, reassembled, for 100-150$.
People here will be able to recommend a watchmaker for a service. 300-500$ is realistic. It won’t be worth it financially, meaning the value of the watch won’t increase by that amount. But you’ll have a working, charming watch that you can wear and enjoy.

Spruce · Tues. 1:39am

Just to clarify, I wasn’t suggesting a new 'homage' watch but a similar Omega bumper watch, of a similar age and style, and in better shape and condition, and working, to acknowledge and pay 'homage' to grandad's taste in watches.

grandadjewels · Tues. 2:07am

MtV
My 2 cents, if I may: An homage won’t be a piece to remember a relative from.
The missing parts aren’t a particularly big issue. Buy an unserviced movement of eBay for 150-200$. Once your watchmaker is done with the service, sell the remaining parts, reassembled, for 100-150$.
People here will be able to recommend a watchmaker for a service. 300-500$ is realistic. It won’t be worth it financially, meaning the value of the watch won’t increase by that amount. But you’ll have a working, charming watch that you can wear and enjoy.

If I could get recommendation for a watch repair guy, that would be great! I’m in California (usually north, but willing to come down for a good watch guy)
Would they be able to get these parts or will I have to get the parts still?

grandadjewels · Tues. 2:12am

MtV
My 2 cents, if I may: An homage won’t be a piece to remember a relative from.
The missing parts aren’t a particularly big issue. Buy an unserviced movement of eBay for 150-200$. Once your watchmaker is done with the service, sell the remaining parts, reassembled, for 100-150$.
People here will be able to recommend a watchmaker for a service. 300-500$ is realistic. It won’t be worth it financially, meaning the value of the watch won’t increase by that amount. But you’ll have a working, charming watch that you can wear and enjoy.

Also pardon my ignorance here, but what’s stopping me from using that new movement entirely? Is there a difference as long as it’s a cal 351?

Spruce · Tues. 2:54am

There’s no problem in fitting a 351 in better condition, but finding one at a decent price is a little harder and, if you do find one, particularly if the dial and hands are in better condition than your grandad’s repainted dial, you might also use the dial, hands and crown.

Of course, if you change all those things, you might just as well pay for the 75 year old watch and not bother paying a watch repairer and additional premium for switching various parts around.

I appreciate that some collectors like badly deteriorated dials, describing the dial as ‘patinated’ but those who have such taste generally prefer an ‘original’ dial and not a repainted one like yours.

grandadjewels · Tues. 5:11pm

Would this be a good deal for example?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136752760388

dsio · Tues. 5:22pm

G grandadjewels
Would this be a good deal for example?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/136752760388

It looks like a fairly complete Cal 351 so could be a decent donor, you can just sell off the rest

JimInOz · Tues. 5:46pm

Another contender?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2869702389...aOt7HZDuIRb5r7sDzHw0zp3Pk=|tkp:Bk9SR8bl-9XXZg

grandadjewels · Tues. 5:54pm

JimInOz
Another contender?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/286970238940?_skw=omega+caliber+351+movement&itmmeta=01KAYNYYAM2HBSM7DP88BV9SKH&hash=item42d0c257dc:g😁60AAeSwprdpJZNb&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dksAaNGfKZDZ/BDL22qBEu45TOrwxXBT23K+2geTqcs3lAYbkwXOsWoS7jAq7XESAKElHm6CK0SENMIA832n2NXzHj7G6Nv9sKhtV3zqwNxWOHtmfP07EaEKT7iW/UasMfQhkO+W3M2h6AfemZ6uOahMBZTNB/81qqNFn+6A7kZcjzhOpeGCGbqRplR+zA+dTIKX92gPIw41YKjLsRz77LLF79IOZEDdWcBUihJ/aOt7HZDuIRb5r7sDzHw0zp3Pk=|tkp:Bk9SR8bl-9XXZg

Thanks this is awesome! Can you suggest a ballpark price range I should be targeting?

2577-7 - help me restore

grandadjewels

dsio

grandadjewels

Dan S

dsio

grandadjewels

sheepdoll

grandadjewels

sheepdoll

Spruce

grandadjewels

MtV

Spruce

grandadjewels

grandadjewels

Spruce

grandadjewels

dsio

JimInOz

grandadjewels

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