Hi to all on omegaforums. I am new to this forum so please be patient. I have a short story to tell of the watch first . My dad got this watch for his 24th or 25th Birthday, not sure which.Born in 1936. Dad was very much into motor racing (F1) and would marshal at The Australian Grand Prix.This being the early to mid 60s. Dad told he would time the cars for his own interest while being a flag marshal at the same time. Anyway dad wore this watch nearly everyday until 1975 when the band broke, hit the ground and the top pusher was gone.Never found.The chrono hand may have stopped working then too - don't know.He he couldn't afford to have it repaired and put it in his bedside table. We would often see an add in The Sunday paper offering to buy Omega Speedmaster & Seamaster watches in any condition.Dad would not sell - it meant too much to him.Dad passed away in 1999. My mum later asked which watch would us boys like to keep. He had a Seiko too which my brother took as it still looked good and worked.I kept this. Its now 2012, mum has passed away too.I clean out the house and take the Omega with me.It sits in my draw for 4 years now and Im starting to get curious about. So here I am. I have read a few forums and visited many websites regarding these watches. I have figured this is one of the rarer ones with the lollipop second hand. What is strange to me is there are no dots next to the numbers on the bezel? All the pictures I have seen so far of other ones have dots.?? As far as dad told me the watch had never been serviced or repaired at any time.Please look at the photos below. I have not cleaned it since dad put it away. This is how it was left.I have only wound it a few times to see if still works and it does, except the second hand.I took to a local watch repairer to get the band fixed before I new what I had. Stupid me.Only so I could wear it. Sorry the photos are not better.Will post photos later. Any comments or suggestions are much appreciated. Rog.
Welcome mate, don't have too much expertise, but it looks like they might have worn of?! Where from Australia are you from? - (I assume only because of the Grand Prix reference)
It's hard to be sure as you're pictures are pretty poor, but that looks like a truly stunning watch, with a great history. It's extremely valuable in todays market, but hopefully it's staying with you. From what I can see, everything look correct and in very good condition (although I can't tell much about the case from your pics). The dial, lollipop and other hands all match and are correct, which is a big plus. The bezel is almost certainly original and correct. Is it possible that dirt and grime has built up on the inner edge of the bezel, obscuring the dots? It might be worth taking a dry soft toothbrush and giving the bezel a very gentle clean. I would suggest leaving this in a drawer until you can have it serviced. Where in the world are you? It will cost several hundred of whatever currency you prefer, but this needs to go to a specialist to ensure it's properly cleaned, stripped, serviced and rebuilt. Once this has been done, it should give decades of faithful service once again. Huge congrats.
Your watch is very valuable. Do not do anything without consulting here first. Our head admintrator, @dsio (Ashley) is not far from you. I suggest you talk with him by phone.
+1, quite valuable. There are some good watchmakers in AU that can get this cleaned up. Don't wind it until someone competent has looked at it. Don't take it to a jeweler and don't take it to Omega either. Vet your options here before you do anything. I'm sure we all want to see the best outcome for you, and for the watch.
Very cool and special watch, if you want some watchmaker recommendations in AU I can help you there but it'd still be Sydney or Brisbane. If it were mine I'd send it to @Archer and ask him to do what's right by the watch in his judgement, for a watch like this he's the safest hands and worth the inconvenience of shipping it to Canada.
If I had to guess, I think you have a reference 2998-3 with a lollipop chronograph hand. Certainly worth in the $20,000+ range USD after it is cleaned up by competent watchmakers. Never by Omega btw. The original radium lume matches and looks awesome. You can read more about this watch at, speedmaster101.com. Welcome to OF!
Many around here will definitely like to see pics of this watch after service!! specially if it goes to Al's bench for service!
What a great watch, with a great history! In addition to the "don'ts" already mentioned, add don't wind it again until the movement has been cleaned and lubricated. You've seen that it works, but running it for a long time while dry causes extra wear.
First off, holy shit that's going to be a gorgeous watch once it's all cleaned up. Really nice patina on the dial and hands. Congratulations on not taking the seiko. Listen to the advice on here. Take it to someone who specializes in vintage omegas to have the work done. Don't take it to your local jeweler and don't send it to omega. This is a very valuable watch, but a bad service from the wrong person can hurt that value significantly.
What a great memento, I am truly envious. This is what you need to do. 1. DO NOT LET OMEGA S.A. ANYWHERE NEAR IT! 2. DO NOT LET ANY JEWELLER OR MALL KIOSK "WATCHMAKER" NEAR IT! 3. GET IT SERVICED BY A WATCHMAKER (AFTER FINDING A RECOMMENDED ONE). 4. KEEP IT AND ENJOY IT AS A GREAT ENDURING MEMORY OF YOUR DAD. 5. BEQUEATH IT TO YOUR FIRST BORN SON (OR ME IF YOU DON'T HAVE KIDS). 6. SEE STEP 4.
Hi to all who have replied. Really appreciate it and the nice comments.First off, Im not about to sell it.Dad and I thought it was 'just an old watch - wouldn't be worth much' Kind of glad we hung onto it now!! When I had the band repaired the jeweller used a different link to the body. I hope if I ever get it restored I can replace it with the correct piece.Will post a pic later. I was thinking of taking to to Nicholas Hacko in Sydney for a valuation and/or recommendation. Any thoughts on this.? Also I want to find out about the bezel too. Ive had a close look and can't see anywhere the dots may have worn off.Cheers all. Rog.