Hi All, I have just joined this group and was hoping for some feedback on a watch I inherited from my Grandfather just over 30 years ago. I only wear it occasionally and in the time I have owned it it has not been serviced or refurbished. Externally it still looks like new but I'm wondering if I should get the moment serviced? I probably wear it around 6 times a year. Any help and background about the watch (model etc) would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance. Paul
Nice. 1960s Seamaster. The exact model details are on the inside of the caseback. The model number will be of the form 165.XXX, 165.005 maybe? If it is full size, ie 33-34mm it probably uses the 552 movement. That full Arab dial is seen occasionally on UK market pieces as it was a special order for that market, it is less common elsewhere. It looks solid gold. If as I suspect it is a UK market model it will be 9K or 18K probably, most likely the former. There may be an external hallmark too, maybe on a lug? I think I see one there. That is in excellent condition for its 50+ year age.
Many thanks for that, it's interesting. It is full size and was purchased in the UK. The base is hallmarked 9k on the lug. My grandfather rarely wore it and so it's spent most of its' time in the box. Should I get it serviced or is it best left alone?
Yes you should get it serviced, likely all the oils have dried up 20 years ago and it’s wearing metal every time you wear it. ( even though it’s only a few times a year ) Nice 9k watch and worth the service and keeping it fine. Great looking condition Get the watchmaker to take a photo of the movement and inside the case back. Movement will give us Serial# (for age) and Caliber# (Type of movement you have) Caseback will give us Model#
Will do, thank you. I have a local watchmaker. He's not an Omega specialist but does it need a specialist or is it a straightforward watch to service? I'm based near to Southampton in the UK if anyone has any recommendations. Thanks again for the advice. Paul
It is straightforward as long as they don't need parts, if they do then it becomes tricky. Servicing at a reputable place will run likely to between £200 and £300. If it is much less than that then corners might be being cut, much more and you may as well send it to an accredited specialist with a parts account. A list of UK based people I would trust with that would include Swiss Time Services, Watchguy, Simon Freese, Genesis, ChrisN, (a contributor here) but there are countless others who do good work too. Unfortunately there are countless others who don't. Maybe have a chat via the message system here with Chris and take it from there. It is a lovely thing, I would give it room in my watchbox alright.
I would take padder's advice and use one of the specialists he listed as that watch of yours is quite special given the history and condition.
www.mitka.co.uk @Mitka is based really close to you in Ringwood He's serviced a dozen of my watches and I've been really pleased with his work! Here are a couple of Seamasters that he's sorted for me: https://workshop.mitka.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=448&tk_id=161001965 https://workshop.mitka.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=204&tk_id=182034781 Lovely looking watch btw
@paul.dlf, what @Farmer means is that if you no longer want the watch, he would like to buy it for me for my birthday - which is in September, so please hurry your decision along
Just a quick update to say that I used Mitka to service my Omega and I'm delighted with his work. I would be very happy to recommend him and will use him again. Thanks all for your feedback and suggestions. Paul
Now that its serviced, you may wish to wear it more than 6 times a year. Its far, far too nice a watch not to be worn.
I'll bet Mitka took some good photos - any to share? It's a really nice looker, well done, and here's respect to your late Grandfather!
Here is a link to his excellent pictures https://workshop.mitka.co.uk/cgi-bin/library?action=show_photos&wat_id=516&tk_id=523228550
Very nice indeed. Search for the Dennison thread on here and post it there. It is one of the nicer ones by far. The watch was hallmarked for July 1966 to June 1967 in the city of its casing, Birmingham. The case number is 165.5003. The leading 5 on the second bit also shows it was a UK market local gold piece but unlike earlier cases this one got a full Omega case number.
