Advice on servicing Omega Seamaster 30 cal 286

jepz · Feb 6, 2021

Hi guys and thanks for letting in!

Lately i've taken an interest in vintage omegas and finally bought my first. As stated in the topic it is an Omega Seamaster 30 cal 286. I bought the watch on an online auction and this is the information a got about the watch:

Watch Omega

OMEGA, Seamaster 30, Cal 286, Serie nr. 20789022, Ref nr. ST 135.0007, Boett nr. 135.007-63, 35 mm, steel, manual, plexiglass, damaged dial, engraved, ca 1963, metal link not original.

Ive bought the clock to get into the hobby of vintage watches and to learn how to service them myself. My questions to you guys is what tools I should get to be able to service the watch myself? What areas of the watch are good to start with if you are a complete beginner at servicing watches? Based on the image provided, what would you say is possible to fix on this watch? I do not want to do anything that destroys the watch or its authenticity (Im thinking about cleaning it and not redialing or anything like that).

Thanks in advance!

janice&fred · Feb 6, 2021

The dial doesn't look all that bad so I would leave it alone. I would also leave the movement alone and get a decent watch maker to handle the servicing. I would suggest you experiment working on a less valuable watch until you get enough confidence to take on working with watches of this value. Check out flea markets or online for a bunch of old cheap citizens or seikos to tear apart. 😁

amcclell · Feb 6, 2021

Congratulations on a nice first watch! I echo @janice&fred . Buy some cheap junk to get started on, and leave this to someone who is knowledgeable.

Another suggestion is to create an avatar for your profile and it will be easier for us to recognize you. Otherwise, you will remain one of the multitude of default question marks on the forum.

Dan S · Feb 6, 2021

Can't tell much from those photos about what the watch might need. But if the movement hasn't been serviced recently, it is probably due for a full clean/oil/adjust. I agree with the comments above that it's a better job for a professional, but it's your watch. So if you want to buy yourself a full set of watchmaking tools, cleaning supplies, oils, equipment for cleaning and timing, etc. Then have at it. There are plenty of YouTube videos to watch. However, most hobbyists start with cheap loose movements.

wagudc · Feb 6, 2021

Welcome to the forum! Your first watch is far too nice to experiment on. As others have said, have the watch serviced by a professional. I would also consider putting it on a strap rather than the metal bracelet.

Canuck · Feb 6, 2021

This is an Omega calibre 286. Having it serviced by a watchmaker who specializes in vintage mechanical watches will be expensive enough, without you having a go at it, first! And after you are done with it, chances are a professional will not be willing to undertake completing the job. Follow the advice of others. Work on junkers for a few years before you take on anything that you hope to keep and enjoy. Cleaning a watch involved more than removing the case back and letting loose detritus fall out, blowing on it, then spraying the mechanism with WD40!

Pvt-Public · Feb 7, 2021

My advice for a beginner is start with inexpensive pocket watches. Check out places like the the National Assoc. of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC). They even offer some classes, well maybe not until this COVID thing is at least under control.

jepz · Feb 7, 2021

Well thank you all very much for your input! I feel like I would be crazy to go against the advice given here so ill contact a professional to service it, and look for cheaper watches to learn from. Thank you!

jepz · Feb 7, 2021

wagudc
Welcome to the forum! Your first watch is far too nice to experiment on. As others have said, have the watch serviced by a professional. I would also consider putting it on a strap rather than the metal bracelet.

Thanks! Yes, I have actually seen some similar dials looking very good together with a brown leather strap. Any other advice on matching? =)

jepz · Feb 7, 2021

amcclell
Congratulations on a nice first watch! I echo @janice&fred . Buy some cheap junk to get started on, and leave this to someone who is knowledgeable.

Another suggestion is to create an avatar for your profile and it will be easier for us to recognize you. Otherwise, you will remain one of the multitude of default question marks on the forum.

Thanks for your input. I will get myself an avatar for the forum!

jepz · Feb 7, 2021

janice&fred
The dial doesn't look all that bad so I would leave it alone. I would also leave the movement alone and get a decent watch maker to handle the servicing. I would suggest you experiment working on a less valuable watch until you get enough confidence to take on working with watches of this value. Check out flea markets or online for a bunch of old cheap citizens or seikos to tear apart. 😁

Thank you for your input! I will follow the advice.

Advice on servicing Omega Seamaster 30 cal 286

jepz

janice&fred

amcclell

Dan S

wagudc

Canuck

Pvt-Public

jepz

jepz

jepz

jepz

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