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Dad’s Seamaster

W
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Attached are pictures of my father’s high school graduation gift-a 1958 Seamaster. The crown is gone and the last time he took it into a repair shop, he was told the prognosis was bad. I’m a newbie to the watch world, but it doesn’t look beyond hope to me. My questions for you Omega fans with much more experience and expertise than I, are related to what I should do with it:
1) Where do I get it serviced and cleaned? Omega or independent?
2) where do I find a crown that won’t look mismatched?
3) can the crystal, dial, and hands be cleaned up without “ruining” the aesthetic?
4) what else should I consider before doing anything?

My goal is to keep as much original as possible.

Thanks all,
5F8FA2A6-A969-4000-8545-F398862E1C96.jpeg 493E695B-5365-4E2B-BC64-F2C6BE985D3D.jpeg 8524BA0C-1A19-4709-B39D-238F26AB6876.jpeg 4788639D-05E5-4A13-AF7C-53BAC3C0F0D8.jpeg B579204B-61B8-450A-87EA-232E613688EB.jpeg 92726E8E-9217-4916-8FCB-4E2605698EC3.jpeg 89D44C10-4399-44A9-9C01-BE23597F567C.jpeg
 
janice&fred
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Hi it looks like someone has already made a failed attempt at cleaning the dial already? Mechanically just try an independent that has Omega experience or even better a parts account and it should be fairly straight forward. I'm afraid that dial might be a gonner though.
 
Syrte
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Regarding the very damaged dial:
1/ might want to buy a donor watch on Ebay to find a dial which is in better condition. However this might take some time, some learning, and a significant amount of cash.
2/ you could also get the dial refinished. I would say this may be the better option considering you’re not a watch collector and you’re simply looking to enjoy a family heirloom.

3/ if you like the watch being completely original, you could also leave the dial as is - and simply get the movement serviced- you’re the one calling the shots.

If you say what country and region you live in, people might be able to recommend a good independent watchmaker who can sort it out for you. Many people ship their watches to watchmakers they trust.

Best regards
 
Spruce
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Generally, OF members prefer to keep original dials in their original condition, regardless of patina/discolouration but, if your intention is to repair, keep and wear your dad’s watch, then getting an expert to redial it may be an answer.

Of course, you’ll need to get the watch serviced and repaired, as @janice&fred suggests, but then you might Google 'watch dial restoration' and follow up on that.

It’ll cost a bit but it’ll be a nice watch to wear.
 
W
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janice&fred janice&fred
Hi it looks like someone has already made a failed attempt at cleaning the dial already? Mechanically just try an independent that has Omega experience or even better a parts account and it should be fairly straight forward. I'm afraid that dial might be a gonner though.
Thanks for the input! I’m in New Mexico, so I could use suggestions on where/how to find a reputable independent with access to original parts.
 
W
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Syrte Syrte
Regarding the very damaged dial:
1/ might want to buy a donor watch on Ebay to find a dial which is in better condition. However this might take some time, some learning, and a significant amount of cash.
2/ you could also get the dial refinished. I would say this may be the better option considering you’re not a watch collector and you’re simply looking to enjoy a family heirloom.

3/ if you like the watch being completely original, you could also leave the dial as is - and simply get the movement serviced- you’re the one calling the shots.

If you say what country and region you live in, people might be able to recommend a good independent watchmaker who can sort it out for you. Many people ship their watches to watchmakers they trust.

Best regards
Thanks Syrte. I’d be interested in talking to a dial refinishers, if people have any suggestions.
Cheers,
Mark
 
W
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Spruce Spruce
Generally, OF members prefer to keep original dials in their original condition, regardless of patina/discolouration but, if your intention is to repair, keep and wear your dad’s watch, then getting an expert to redial it may be an answer.

Of course, you’ll need to get the watch serviced and repaired, as @janice&fred suggests, but then you might Google 'watch dial restoration' and follow up on that.

It’ll cost a bit but it’ll be a nice watch to wear.

thanks Spruce, I’ll try the Google machine and see what I find.
 
Dan S
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W WOYW
Thanks Syrte. I’d be interested in talking to a dial refinishers, if people have any suggestions.
Cheers,
Mark

Searching the forum is probably better than asking for new suggestions halfway through a thread, since probably only a few people will see this new question here. Here are some threads that focused specifically on this subject.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/watchmakers-dial-restoration.104583/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/doe...t-affordable-dial-refinisher-in-the-us.20844/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/dial-refurbishing-suggestions.15560/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-restoration-service.108915/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/good-news-for-dial-restorations.110926/
etc.
 
Mark020
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Wouldn't it be cheaper to source another dial?
 
W
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Dan S Dan S
Searching the forum is probably better than asking for new suggestions halfway through a thread, since probably only a few people will see this new question here. Here are some threads that focused specifically on this subject.

https://omegaforums.net/threads/watchmakers-dial-restoration.104583/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/doe...t-affordable-dial-refinisher-in-the-us.20844/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/dial-refurbishing-suggestions.15560/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/omega-restoration-service.108915/
https://omegaforums.net/threads/good-news-for-dial-restorations.110926/
etc.
Dan,
Very helpful, thank you!
 
Syrte
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Mark020 Mark020
Wouldn't it be cheaper to source another dial?
I doubt it.
I know nothing about Omega but Imagine how many collectors might be looking for a nice replacement dial? I would think you’d need to buy a whole donor watch.
And to learn how to identify them, comb all of the usual sources etc etc.
I remember hearing a dial restoration costs in the vicinity of 85 dollars or euros.
 
Dan S
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Mark020 Mark020
Wouldn't it be cheaper to source another dial?

Finding a nice replacement dial might not be terribly expensive, but it takes a lot of patience and knowledge for a watch like this.

For the typical owner, a refinished dial is a much easier approach, although it will rarely be acceptable for a picky collector.
 
Syrte
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sonicosa sonicosa
I actually just purchased a dial from another OF member for the same reference that is very similar to the one on your watch. It looks like yours might have had a crosshair, which the one I bought does not. The markers appear to be the same though.

Here is a link to the sale post to give you an idea of the cost of buying a dial vs a watch to part out: https://omegaforums.net/threads/1950s-omega-calibre-501-two-tone-dial.115359/
Wow, seems like an ncredibly lucky find!
 
STANDY
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I would service, replace crown.
A good watchmaker will get dial cleaned to the best they can.
And wear it.

No need for new dial as it has markers and the charm is it is still the dial your father owned.
A redialed watch will never have the same feel and you can’t go back.
So get It serviced and cleaned and show us before you do anything.

Just my opinion.
 
Syrte
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@STANDY has convinced me.
Someone in my family brought a relative’s watch to a jewelery store for restoration. That was before I got interested in vintage watches.
They charged a lot for service, the watch has never kept time since; and the dial was horribly refinished. It’a such a mess I asked him to let me handle it but he didn’t want to bother with it. He has decided the watch will be a keepsake rather than a useful object and it just lies around one of his drawers.
 
SkunkPrince
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1) Where do I get it serviced and cleaned? Omega or independent?

Since you want to keep it as original as you can, an independent is your betterr choice. I like Nesbit's in Seattle.

2) where do I find a crown that won’t look mismatched?

That's not your responsibility. Your watchmaker does that for you.

3) can the crystal, dial, and hands be cleaned up without “ruining” the aesthetic?

The crystal can be replaced and on a Seamaster it is recommended for water resistance. You can also choose to polish it with the understanding that you can't get near the water.

4) what else should I consider before doing anything?

Find a watchmaker you can trust and communicate with them! That's one reason I recommend Nesbit's, they will actually talk with you if you contact them, where some will ignore you.

Servicing this watch will not be inexpensive, but once you start using it, subsequent service down the line costs less because it's already been brought back as close to factory new (the movement, I mean) as it can be.

With the family histtory, I shouldn't get too freaked out about the initial cost, which could be $750 to $1000.

I just re-read the thread and I see that you might be willing to get the dial refinished. If that is so, the Omega factory service is definitely the better choice. But, that is your decision to make. There is nothing wrong with leaving it as is, but there is nothing wrong with making it look like new, either.

An anecdote, my fatherr gave me his wedding watch, because my mother died and he didn't move enough to keep it wound, so it wouldn't keep time anyways. Sometime in the past a "watchmaker" scratched the dial. After that, he was always asked if he wanted the dial refinished, and he always refused. Therefore, I will leave the dial in the watch and not get it refinished.

Good luck in your learning process!
 
Dgercp
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STANDY STANDY
I would service, replace crown.
A good watchmaker will get dial cleaned to the best they can.
And wear it.

No need for new dial as it has markers and the charm is it is still the dial your father owned.
A redialed watch will never have the same feel and you can’t go back.
So get It serviced and cleaned and show us before you do anything.

Just my opinion.
Perfect advice, especially for an heirloom.
 
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