Community Stories

Daily wear a 145.012

Neotorque
Posts
14
Likes
14
Hi all -

Apologies in advance for a question I’m sure has been asked countless times. I did search, but assume I used the wrong terms because I didn’t find anything on point.

After a long search, I just purchased a stunning all original 145.012-67. I love it, but I’m also terrified to wear it. Not so much for concern of dinging it as potentially knocking loose some of the lume with its lovely patina. (I had the same issue with a vintage Royal Oak, which unfortunately led to me dumping it just before prices went crazy, so you can see that I’m pretty irrationally conservative about these things).

So I’m curious (a) is the fear legitimate, I mean it’s made it 60 years without any issues, and (b) is there anything one can do to lower the risk of damaging a lume plot?

thanks, and again my apologies for asking a question that I’m sure has been asked countless times before.

cheers,
Dan
 
Davidt
Posts
12,993
Likes
22,539
I wore my -65 Ed White pretty much as a daily for several years without any issues.

Obviously if you need to do some ad hoc welding or are likely to get caught in a downpour perhaps don’t wear it
 
Seaborg
Posts
1,554
Likes
3,651
Hi Dan,

Are your lume plots already damaged ? If not, I wouldn't mind wearing the watch on an everyday basis. If there is already some flaking, you should maybe get the remaining lume stabilized.
Do you have a picture of your watch ?
 
kaplan
Posts
2,608
Likes
3,046
I think it's madness wearing a collection piece, most people say a watch should be enjoyed, I personally enjoy them in my collection

I think a watch should only be worn if you can easily shrug off it's hypothetical value in a heartbeat, $2000 would be this limit for me, and I think each Omega is undervalued 10X - so I can easily wear $200 Omega's - $500+ Omega's bother me to the level of small interference with daily life, like a handbag's zipper bumping into your watch, and you start crying inside
 
Neotorque
Posts
14
Likes
14
Seaborg Seaborg
Hi Dan,

Are your lume plots already damaged ? If not, I wouldn't mind wearing the watch on an everyday basis. If there is already some flaking, you should maybe get the remaining lume stabilized.
Do you have a picture of your watch ?
 
D561F8C3-831A-4634-B2FA-150C9B12603D.jpeg
Neotorque
Posts
14
Likes
14
Sorry - my incompetence at posting is showing. I’d say the lume is perfect right now, but the picture is worth 1000 words. Thanks for your thoughts!
 
Neotorque
Posts
14
Likes
14
kaplan kaplan
I think it's madness wearing a collection piece, most people say a watch should be enjoyed, I personally enjoy them in my collection

I think a watch should only be worn if you can easily shrug off it's hypothetical value in a heartbeat, $2000 would be this limit for me, and I think each Omega is undervalued 10X - so I can easily wear $200 Omega's - $500+ Omega's bother me to the level of small interference with daily life, like a handbag's zipper bumping into your watch, and you start crying inside
Thanks. It’s not the money I’m worried about, I’m not planning on flipping it. It’s just that I love the way it is right now and would hate to have to get it relumed or something.
 
kaplan
Posts
2,608
Likes
3,046
It's not really about the money but one coping mechanism is just turning the loss into money and writing it off, at least for me, so let's say after a hard day you notice that your bezel is no longer on your watch, can you write it off - basically buy a new one for, I don't know, $1000?
 
Neotorque
Posts
14
Likes
14
kaplan kaplan
It's not really about the money but one coping mechanism is just turning the loss into money and writing it off, at least for me, so let's say after a hard day you notice that your bezel is no longer on your watch, can you write it off - basically buy a new one for, I don't know, $1000?
Yes, that’s not a concern. The concern would be losing the original basically flawless bezel. And I don’t actually mind chipping the bezel a bit, but the dial is the centerpiece for me (well, that and the 321) and damaging it would be … well, lousy.
 
Dan S
Posts
23,545
Likes
52,338
kaplan kaplan
I think a watch should only be worn if you can easily shrug off it's hypothetical value in a heartbeat, $2000 would be this limit for me, and I think each Omega is undervalued 10X - so I can easily wear $200 Omega's - $500+ Omega's bother me to the level of small interference with daily life, like a handbag's zipper bumping into your watch, and you start crying inside

I'm having a hard time determining if this is serious or tongue-in-cheek. 😕
 
Dan S
Posts
23,545
Likes
52,338
Neotorque Neotorque
Yes, that’s not a concern. The concern would be losing the original basically flawless bezel. And I don’t actually mind chipping the bezel a bit, but the dial is the centerpiece for me (well, that and the 321) and damaging it would be … well, lousy.

I would get that pusher taken care of before the cap pops off and you lose it. Otherwise, enjoy your watch, just keep your distance from doorknobs and rain. I don't think that standard wear will put the dial lume plots at major risk.
Edited:
 
Seaborg
Posts
1,554
Likes
3,651
It's indeed a very nice 145.012.
Super nice dial with the unique jet black specific color. Very nice pumpkin lume on plots.

I would wear it without any fear everyday.

However, as @Dan S said, get that pusher fixed.
 
FCA
Posts
116
Likes
1,063
Congratulation with your purchase 👍
In my opinion every watch is ment to be worn, even this beauty.
If it was mine I would strap it on before church on Sundays... but after the pusher was fixed 😀
 
Neotorque
Posts
14
Likes
14
FCA FCA
Congratulation with your purchase 👍
In my opinion every watch is ment to be worn, even this beauty.
If it was mine I would strap it on before church on Sundays... but after the pusher was fixed 😀
OK - I am definitely going to get that pusher fixed. 😀
Do I need to find a vintage omega specialist or is that something any watchmaker can handle. Used to have a certified omega master watchmaker just down the road but alas he’s moved away…
 
FCA
Posts
116
Likes
1,063
I guess any real watchmaker can fix it without any concerns
 
Dan S
Posts
23,545
Likes
52,338
Neotorque Neotorque
OK - I am definitely going to get that pusher fixed. 😀
Do I need to find a vintage omega specialist or is that something any watchmaker can handle. Used to have a certified omega master watchmaker just down the road but alas he’s moved away…

Most likely it's just a matter of removing the movement and tightening the pusher rod/screw, preferably with a bit of lock-tite.
 
AAAKK
Posts
891
Likes
2,997
kaplan said: ↑
I think a watch should only be worn if you can easily shrug off it's hypothetical value in a heartbeat, $2000 would be this limit for me, and I think each Omega is undervalued 10X - so I can easily wear $200 Omega's - $500+ Omega's bother me to the level of small interference with daily life, like a handbag's zipper bumping into your watch, and you start crying inside

Dan S Dan S
I'm having a hard time determining if this is serious or tongue-in-cheek. 😕

Good to know someone else thought the same. I read it a couple of times because I thought it was satire.
 
iamvr
Posts
1,273
Likes
5,665
Congratulations on your purchase. I can‘t wait to get my newly purchased 145.012 back from service and I plan to wear it often.
 
Faz
Posts
3,803
Likes
22,776
kaplan kaplan
I think a watch should only be worn if you can easily shrug off it's hypothetical value in a heartbeat
This is the key...If your not afraid of moisture or banging up a watch that has become almost irreplaceable, then go.
 
23 More Posts...
Sign up or log in to reply...

Similar threads

Harriet

Flightmaster as a daily wear...plus other questions

Harriet Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
bsowers34
bsowers34
Posts
24
Views
3K
T

Is it possible this is a 145.012-67

T*M*M Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
padders
padders
Posts
4
Views
471
Davidt

Vintage Omega Geneve 136.0098 Stainless Steel - Great Starter Watch or Daily Wear

Davidt Private Watch Sales
Davidt
Davidt
Posts
0
Views
755
R

Advice on a 145.012 Speedie

rosetech Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
padders
padders
Posts
21
Views
5K
masteroftime

Seeking Advice on a 145.012-67 "Restoration"

masteroftime Vintage Omega Watches Help, Discussion and Advice
itsjustausername
itsjustausername
Posts
4
Views
3K
M

Convince Me it’s OK to Wear and Enjoy My Watch as a “Daily”

MedicalMinute Modern Omega Watches
Vinz Clortho
Vinz Clortho
Posts
130
Views
24K