Advice needed for restoring an omega seamaster 200m automatic

David cooke32 · May 3, 2026

Hi everyone my Dave, I am new on this sight and I am just starting out in collecting vintage omega watches, I am looking for help as I have purchased an omega seamaster 200m automatic full size that requires new hands and the dial lume is coming away, my question is do I get the hands and dial restored or is it still possible to buy new ones or do anyone know where I can purchase some used ones. I think used parts would be best as it would keep all parts original omega parts although not original to the watch. If anyone could advise me, I would be great full. I believe the hands are not original it looks as if someone has tried making them look old. I have some new old stock gold Mercedes hands that I purchased before I bought this watch, but they would not look right.it is difficult to see in the pictures but the lume at 8.00 has come away and the hands have slightly rubbed the dial.
Dave

redpcar · May 3, 2026

I believe the hands are original. Does it run? Finding new old stock dial and hands will be difficult. Why not embrace what you have and get it running perfect and embrace the vintage look?

Waltesefalcon · May 3, 2026

I agree that the hands look correct, but they look like someone tried to relume them and did it poorly. I'd get it serviced, and if you absolutely feel the need to, get the hands and dial relumed. I rather like dial how it is.

David cooke32 · May 4, 2026

Thank you for your comments, the watch is running, but the hour hand looks like it is rubbing on the dial, I did remove the movement and have a quick look, I tried removing the hands, but the hour hand is very tight and I was struggling too get it off as I noticed that the lacquer on the dial was flaking and I really didn’t want to damage it any more, I have done re lume before although I don’t enjoy it, I thought I might re do the hands as I had some made too match the age of old vintage omega 200m hands. Maybe I should just re lume hands and leave the dial.

David cooke32 · May 4, 2026

I forgot too mention, when I looked at the hands the lume on the back of them was a bright white, so i think someone has tried making them look old and fitted them poorly, I don’t think they are genuine as the silver around the edge don’t look nice it has a rough finish and the white lume don’t look neat it’s more of a blob rather than nice and smooth. It also has lume on the silver face of the hands not nice and neat. I would love a nice old aged set of hands for it and possibly a nice old original bezel, I don’t want it looking new, but I don’t like it as is and the dial I don’t like the thought of the lume markers falling off and going inside the watch. I am very fussy I also own a 1971 omega speedmaster professional and it has aged really nice and it all looks original.

David cooke32 · May 4, 2026

Sorry I put nice old bezel it should have been dial. 🤣

David cooke32 · May 4, 2026

Just a quick update, I was going into town today, so I decided to take the 200m with me as they have a watch lab there, I showed the man the watch and he said it would be around £1000 to restore the hands and dial, if he had showed any interest or passion about old omega watches or he could of explained what would be done, I may of been interested, although £1000 is very expensive as it will more than likely devalue the watch as it’s no longer original. The point I am making is I would only trust someone working on my watch that has an interest in the watch and not just for the money. These watches I own I love and I want them to be right, it’s not the money it’s the watch. I think I will try and repair the watch between me and my watchmaker, he can strip the watch and send me the hands and dial back and while he services the movement I will re lume the hands and just clean up the dial and that’s it, until a nice set of hands and possibly a dial, I will try and live it and see how I get on, unless anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it.

Waltesefalcon · May 4, 2026

David cooke32
Just a quick update, I was going into town today, so I decided to take the 200m with me as they have a watch lab there, I showed the man the watch and he said it would be around £1000 to restore the hands and dial, if he had showed any interest or passion about old omega watches or he could of explained what would be done, I may of been interested, although £1000 is very expensive as it will more than likely devalue the watch as it’s no longer original. The point I am making is I would only trust someone working on my watch that has an interest in the watch and not just for the money. These watches I own I love and I want them to be right, it’s not the money it’s the watch. I think I will try and repair the watch between me and my watchmaker, he can strip the watch and send me the hands and dial back and while he services the movement I will re lume the hands and just clean up the dial and that’s it, until a nice set of hands and possibly a dial, I will try and live it and see how I get on, unless anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it.

I have an old Kontiki 10, that is like that. It's dial has lost most of its varnish, as a result it is discolored and the hash marks between the hour markers are virtually gone. I keep an eye out for a decent dial, but it doesn't stop me from wearing it for the time being. So, yeah I agree with your plan of reluming the hands and just keeping your eyes open for a decent set later.

redpcar · May 4, 2026

Lume the hands to match the dial markers and wear the hell out of it.

David cooke32 · May 4, 2026

I think you are right, I will get my watchmaker to remove the hands, I will lume them and he can give the watch a service and fit the hands, I will then use it as my daily and keep my Speedmaster for best and if some hands and a dial turns up in the future I may buy them and fit them. 👍

David cooke32 · Fri. 8:08am

I should be receiving the hands back this week from my watchmaker, so I will hopefully be re doing the lume this weekend. My watchmaker is going to try and give the dial a very light clean and re attach the lume dots that have fallen off the dial. I have also been working on an omega seamaster 200m quartz my watchmaker has just repaired the movement and fitted some hands that that I replaced the lume, I will be using the same colour on my automatic. I will attach some pictures of the hands and look forward too your thoughts on the colour.

David cooke32 · Fri. 8:15am

I also forgot to say he will also be giving the automatic movement a service and I will be giving the bracelet a deep clean and re doing all the link pins and tubes. I will not be doing any polishing on it as I believe they should be left with the nice patina. Once completed I will put some pictures up for your comments, I hope I will do the watch justice and I am always interested in any advice.

David cooke32 · Fri. 8:21am

I would also like to thank you all for your advice on what to do with the watch and I agree I should wear it and enjoy it as is and if a really nice original dial and hands turn up then maybe I would buy them and get them fitted.

Advice needed for restoring an omega seamaster 200m automatic

David cooke32

redpcar

Waltesefalcon

David cooke32

David cooke32

David cooke32

David cooke32

Waltesefalcon

redpcar

David cooke32

David cooke32

David cooke32

David cooke32

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