Dirt or Patina: Can dial be saved? (large pics)

Tiny Iota · Jul 1, 2015

Hi all,

A friend has given me this watch; a 2735 cal 420. He just said "pay what you fancy". On the surface, I think that number may well be pretty close to zero as it seems pretty tired, and the case is very dirty.

I do not know if the marks on the dial is patina or dirt. If it is the latter, can it be cleaned off leaving the dial looking ok? What would be the best way to do that? I think it would have been a nice dial at some point, with the two-tone ring. I also like the lug design, although I can see the case has been polished a fair bit.

I do not know how to take the stem out, so if anyone has any advice for that, I would be happy hear it so I can see how the dial looks. I have never removed a dial/movement from a case before so am eager to see if I can, just to tinker really.

I have taken quite a few photos from different angled as sometimes the dial looks worse than others. Thanks for looking!

dsio · Jul 1, 2015

Don't think so 🙁

Andy K · Jul 1, 2015

Where's the rest of the seconds hand?

Tiny Iota · Jul 1, 2015

Andy K
Where's the rest of the seconds hand?

Yeah, I thought that didn't look right. But that's probably the least of this watch's problems.

UncleBuck · Jul 1, 2015

Only use I can think of is tied about a foot or two above your bait and fished tightline or on a bobber.
Pardon my humor, no slight intended.

You may get a stray part off of it, maybe two, but value is $10-50 in my world.

Pity, a noble steed at the end of his journey.

I'd strip it down to see what (if) parts are usable, or return it with respect, respect that the history is about all that is left.

Answering directly, Tiny, I feel it's corrosion as it appears to be under the surface layer, not something sitting on top of the dial.

pitpro · Jul 1, 2015

Tiny Iota
Hi all,

A friend has given me this watch; a 2735 cal 420. He just said "pay what you fancy". On the surface, I think that number may well be pretty close to zero as it seems pretty tired, and the case is very dirty.

I do not know if the marks on the dial is patina or dirt. If it is the latter, can it be cleaned off leaving the dial looking ok? What would be the best way to do that? I think it would have been a nice dial at some point, with the two-tone ring. I also like the lug design, although I can see the case has been polished a fair bit.

I do not know how to take the stem out, so if anyone has any advice for that, I would be happy hear it so I can see how the dial looks. I have never removed a dial/movement from a case before so am eager to see if I can, just to tinker really.

I have taken quite a few photos from different angled as sometimes the dial looks worse than others. Thanks for looking!

You can read this if you're brave.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/crown-replacement.3925/#post-45195

watchyouwant · Jul 1, 2015

No. kind regards. achim

tdn-dk · Jul 1, 2015

I have the same reference on a projectwatch, but the case on yours look strange.

I have to find a new dial or a index that is missing, properly not easy for a cal. 420

Matty01 · Jul 3, 2015

I love the lugs and case, might be worth hunting for a replacement aged second hand and dial for it.

tamura · Jul 3, 2015

Matty01
I love the lugs and case, might be worth hunting for a replacement aged second hand and dial for it.

I have a similar dial/420 cal. 😀😁

Tiny Iota · Jul 14, 2015

My friend got the dial out and gave it a thorough blu-tacking. A surprisingly effective method it seems...

STANDY · Jul 14, 2015

Polish, redial it black call it a deluxe and PM @everclear

photo500 · Jul 14, 2015

It's running at least, I've seen much worse. Any real attempt to clean the dial (which is possible) will remove the Omega text though. Value is not high obviously but it does have character and that's good.

oddboy · Jul 14, 2015

post it on the Zombie Watch thread!

Dirt or Patina: Can dial be saved? (large pics)

Tiny Iota

dsio

Andy K

Tiny Iota

UncleBuck

pitpro

watchyouwant

tdn-dk

Matty01

tamura

Tiny Iota

STANDY

photo500

oddboy

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