Another ",grandpa's watch" thread

Posts
10
Likes
16
Thanks for all the input guys.
On a recommendation from here, I contacted a well respected independent watchmaker.
It appears that those sneaky people at Omega don't like providing parts to independents. Further, the Felca that started this all will probably cost more to repair than the watch itself is worth, but, personally, I can't put a price on sentiment and family, so still want to see if I can get it refurbed.
The saga continues.....
 
Posts
21,444
Likes
48,679
Thanks for all the input guys.
On a recommendation from here, I contacted a well respected independent watchmaker.
It appears that those sneaky people at Omega don't like providing parts to independents. Further, the Felca that started this all will probably cost more to repair than the watch itself is worth, but, personally, I can't put a price on sentiment and family, so still want to see if I can get it refurbed.
The saga continues.....

Some independent watchmakers have Omega parts accounts, but not all. You may need to call around to find one, or you can ship the watch to one of the watchmakers often recommended on the forum.
 
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,926
I have my grandfather’s Gruen bumper-probably worth $35, I have had it properly serviced to the tune of about 5x the watches value, but it’s grandpa’s watch and although it doesn’t get much wrist action, I wear it on occasion. Don’t think about the cost (unless it’s a basket case and requires $$$ parts, then it stays in a drawer), it’s a family heirloom.
 
Posts
10
Likes
16
Update:
Lo and behold, I've found a jeweller/watchmaker that will work on both the Omega and the Felca - and I found them only 5 miles away from home!! Established family business for 60 odd years, advertise as specialists in Omega, Breitling, Rolex etc - they've had a look and Felca just needs a good service, and will service the Omega as well, for a fraction of the price I've been quoted elsewhere - see what I get back in the next week or so!!
Guess what my dad's getting for father's Day? Lol.

Ok, so, I know my father wears the military two piece leather straps (the one piece strap with leather pad). I can see the standard one he currently wears is in the last hole (the males in my family are all 6ft plus), so a slightly longer strap would be better, and I'd like one for the Omega as well. Standard length appears to be 23.5cm, does anyone know where I can find one slightly longer? 25.5cm maybe? I',be searched t'interweb and can't find anything that fits the bill.

Cheers all

Graeme
 
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,926
Update:
Lo and behold, I've found a jeweller/watchmaker that will work on both the Omega and the Felca - and I found them only 5 miles away from home!! Established family business for 60 odd years, advertise as specialists in Omega, Breitling, Rolex etc - they've had a look and Felca just needs a good service, and will service the Omega as well, for a fraction of the price I've been quoted elsewhere - see what I get back in the next week or so!!
Guess what my dad's getting for father's Day? Lol.

Ok, so, I know my father wears the military two piece leather straps (the one piece strap with leather pad). I can see the standard one he currently wears is in the last hole (the males in my family are all 6ft plus), so a slightly longer strap would be better, and I'd like one for the Omega as well. Standard length appears to be 23.5cm, does anyone know where I can find one slightly longer? 25.5cm maybe? I',be searched t'interweb and can't find anything that fits the bill.

Cheers all

Graeme
When you say two piece with pad, do you mean Bund?
Like this?:
 
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,926
There are long straps made for wrists over 7.5-8”, the options are more limited for OTC, but there is the custom route which is not as scary $$ as it may sound if you find the right maker. Share some pics of the style you like and we can probably help you hunt down a good place to buy it
 
Posts
10
Likes
16
Yes, I've seen some sellers call it a "bund" type, to me it's always just been a leather military watchstrap.
The leather piece with the holes threads over the pin, under the watch and under the second pin and out.
Seen some sellers online offering XL or even XXL straps but none in that style - was actually considering buying standard "bund" and a leather NATO strap and staining both the same, but if anyone knows of a seller........
Every day is a schoolday here!!
 
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,926
The classic Bund is a German pilot’s watch strap, the pad was to keep the metal off the skin. The 2 piece is correct for those as far as I know. I have seen the one piece with pad but would have to do a little searching to find where I saw them. Staring with the search for “bund” will give you more of the results you want. There are some sellers on Etsy that do custom bund’s out of Europe. I have no experience with them, perhaps some here do.
 
Posts
16,307
Likes
44,926
Be sure you verify the lug width before you buy. You should need an 18mm for the Omega and 20/22 are the most popular for the Bund’s right now.
 
Posts
4,667
Likes
17,666
Update:
Lo and behold, I've found a jeweller/watchmaker that will work on both the Omega and the Felca - and I found them only 5 miles away from home!! Established family business for 60 odd years, advertise as specialists in Omega, Breitling, Rolex etc - they've had a look and Felca just needs a good service, and will service the Omega as well, for a fraction of the price I've been quoted elsewhere - see what I get back in the next week or so!!
Guess what my dad's getting for father's Day? Lol.
Ok, so, I know my father wears the military two piece leather straps (the one piece strap with leather pad). I can see the standard one he currently wears is in the last hole (the males in my family are all 6ft plus), so a slightly longer strap would be better, and I'd like one for the Omega as well. Standard length appears to be 23.5cm, does anyone know where I can find one slightly longer? 25.5cm maybe? I',be searched t'interweb and can't find anything that fits the bill.
Cheers all
Graeme

Great news / pleased you found an alternative. Ref the service maybe ask them to take some pictures of the movements before and after - good opportunity for that / nice record. Also ask them to let you have any old parts. I hope it works out and for the value of the watches it is the best outcome. If they do a good job you will have to publish their details. Out of interest did they say anything about parts? Hopefully you wont need any but if they are required do they have stock or can they still source them?