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[Completed] Question about 1930s Omega Military Case Material

lenndon
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Hello everyone,
I am currently restoring an Omega Military Wristwatch with a Cal. 26.5. The Movement needed a lot of love but is running again. The case on the other hand probably needs even more attention.

I would like to do a complete case job on it, meaning I want to sand the case, polish and nickel/chrome plate it (whichever it was genuine). Sadly the case has a hole in it, as visible in the pictures. I would like to close it, but I am not sure, which material it is made of. My first guess was messing, but I asked two goldsmiths and they said they have no clue what it is and don't want to work on it. I thought it might be possible to close it up with silver solder, then file it down and nickel plate. But if the case is some different alloy I might destroy something, which I definitely do not want.
Does anyone here have any idea about the material of that case (Or the Omega cases of that time, 7 million serial numbers) and how I could tackle the problem that I have?
Thank you in advance 😀
 
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hen
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Looks like brass (messing), low temperature silver solder would work, but I have no idea about how the plating will react with the silver. Other options are bronze or copper.
 
mac_omega
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could also be nickel.
Best choice would be laser welding with nickel. there should not be any problems with the chromium or nickel plating afterwards.
The tough call is to find somebody who does the laser welding for a reasonable sum. If it cost too much it would be more than the worth of the watch.
 
lenndon
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Thanks for the ideas already. I am still hoping there is some definitive information about the casing material out there and maybe even about the exact alloy that was used during this time. I would obviously prefer a low temp soldering technique (with silver or tin), since I would be able to do it alone and thus be the most cost efficient. Laser welding might indeed not be worth it here.
 
DON
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Possibly a zinc alloy case. Use lead free solder which does have a bit of a higher melt temp (425 degrees)

if the opening is paper thin. Applying the solder could cause the opening to melt

not a lot of choices
 
lenndon
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DON DON
Possibly a zinc alloy case. Use lead free solder which does have a bit of a higher melt temp (425 degrees)

if the opening is paper thin. Applying the solder could cause the opening to melt

not a lot of choices

Thanks for your respond,
but wouldn't I rather want a lower melting temp solder if there is a danger to melt the case opening? Or are you saying that this is something I should be aiming for? Preferably I would like to leave the inside of the case back unharmed.
 
DON
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lenndon lenndon
Thanks for your respond,
but wouldn't I rather want a lower melting temp solder if there is a danger to melt the case opening? Or are you saying that this is something I should be aiming for? Preferably I would like to leave the inside of the case back unharmed.

I read that it’s not good to have any lead possibly be in contact with the skin.

I have no idea on what will happen with the opening. Found this low melt temp, lead free Focenat brand

View attachment 1756649
 
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lenndon
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BlueBoy BlueBoy
Would love to see the dial

Here is the dial. Before and after the "kukident" treatment. Turned out nicely in my opinion.
 
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lenndon
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Hello everyone.
The project is finished and I thought I’d give an update here. The hole in the case is closed and the case nickel plated. Turned out pretty sweet considering the condition it was in. Also runs good.
 
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malilis
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Amazing ... beautiful ! Congratulations for a great job done !
 
malilis
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I happen to have a Buren from about the same era .. always thought these were charming models ..
Buren2.JPG
 
lenndon
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malilis malilis
I happen to have a Buren from about the same era .. always thought these were charming models ..
Buren2.JPG

those hands look brand new. Very nice watch as well. There is a lot of watches to find with that cushion case. Not many in such great condition as yours tho.
 
Syrte
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Wow, the transformation is pretty remarkable and you really did a great job with that caseback.
Thanks for posting the final pictures.

What did you mean by “kukident” treatment on the dial?
 
lenndon
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Syrte Syrte
Wow, the transformation is pretty remarkable and you really did a great job with that caseback.
Thanks for posting the final pictures.

What did you mean by “kukident” treatment on the dial?

Kukident are those effervescent tablets that are used to clean braces and dentures. They work wonders on old enamel dials by cleaning the dirt from the cracks, thus making them basically invisible.
 
drpaul
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lenndon lenndon
Hello everyone.
The project is finished and I thought I’d give an update here. The hole in the case is closed and the case nickel plated. Turned out pretty sweet considering the condition it was in. Also runs good.
Amazing. I love these real restoration stories especially with the before and after pics. You could please possible edit the title of the tread with” project completed” or something along that line. So more readers who don’t know anything about the case materials will also see and enjoy the thread.
Congrats on your success.
 
Syrte
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lenndon lenndon
Kukident are those effervescent tablets that are used to clean braces and dentures. They work wonders on old enamel dials by cleaning the dirt from the cracks, thus making them basically invisible.
Thank you for clarifying, for those of us who live in other countries.
 
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