I have a 1000M with a case that's been polished at least twice by STS, both times by hand. It's a bit of a mess and uneven and bugs me when I wear it. Does anyone know if Bienne (or even STS!) can put a new case on the watch at service please? It looks ok in pictures but I'm a bit fussy and really don't like cases that have been (over)polished by hand.
Omega probably will have the case but you will have to send it in for a full service, and then they will recommend changing dial and hands, etc which in your case look amazing. Not only that but the case is completely different. The vintage ones have a radial finish, new ones will have a sunburst finish. I would look into having it properly refinished with laser welding, its costly but still cheaper than a NOS case. Not sure if yours is a good candidate given the amount of material that has been shaved off already. I did one recently and it turned out OK. I still havent received it back because I sent it along with a couple of other projects but here are some pics the watchmaker sent me
These cases have lots of metal so will be able to be refinished unless really major damage. This is my Flightmaster that was restored a few years back..............
Thanks for this. Was your case built up to quite a large degree (as in 1mm or more of metal all over) with laser welding and then lapped or just holes filled in? Looks great. Mine's been given a starburst finish.
The end of the spring bar is showing on one lug and the rest of it doesn't look good! It's as if the case took a heavy beating and the best STS could do was to do some heavy polishing by hand. The curved lines at each end aren't good. It looks better after the second polish but I would like meat back on the case. Your Flightmaster looks superb! I always prefer original (and if not then lapped) but in your case I think that gash in the case is just a bit beyond patina.
try Marcus at abouttime-ch on ebay. use the send seller a message option and ask direct. they used to have a few cases left. kind regards. achim
Thank you for the suggestion. Funnily enough I was talking to him last night, he said they ran out of complete cases years ago because they turned them all into complete watches with service parts and donor movements.
How long ago was the work done by STS? I've not seen a hand finished case come out of there in the time I've been dealing with them (6+ years), and Tony is very keen on taking things back to correct if at all possible, rather than just polishing to kingdom come. Might be worth giving Tony a call, or popping in to see him if you're relatively local. Either way, he'll be able to tell you if new cases are available. Good luck.
It was last done about three or four years ago when I asked them to tidy up the first effort, which was a proper uneven mess. Simon Freese has it at the moment, I'm going to give him a call and see if we can find a case before he services it.
It had the original owners name deeply engraved. Plus some other attemps to engrave his initials on the bottom and on the front. https://m.mediafire.com/view/sbx88o98w28o9rh/IMG_7644.JPG I sent it to Laboratorio Portanova in Bologna. Probably not your first choice given the location. http://www.laboratorioportanova.eu/?lang=en
I have just started a thread on my Flightmaster restoration with lots of pics.......... https://omegaforums.net/threads/an-omega-flightmaster-restoration.74248/
Omega does not have these cases any longer. 166.093 (1660093) are listed as no longer available. Cheers, Al
Just a thought.................. Have you considered Rocco? He is a specialist at adding metal, micro welding and lapping. http://www.watchworks.co.uk/ His website really gives little indication of his abilities but check out this thread.............. http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.p...-example-pics-on-page-3&highlight=rocco+laser They will work on a case only if the movement has been removed so perfect if your watch is with Simon. I have not used them myself but did discuss a project with them recently and they were very helpful.
Good idea, thanks. Rocco sorted my Mk2 case but last time I spoke to him he wasn't working on vintage, only modern watches. I'll give him a call.
I just called and have sent in pictures and a description of what I want and why. Rocco is apparently very busy and may not want or be able to take on the job but it's not been ruled out and my fingers are well and truly crossed! He also sorted a Heuer Autavia out for me too a few years ago and I had a tour of the workshop. I wonder if when I called last time they were too busy? They definitely said they weren't taking on anything vintage so perhaps he was just overwhelmed with work on new watches. Who knows. Please cross your fingers for me!
If Rocco is very busy it is probably worth asking to go on the waiting list they operate. They are the ideal people - you know them and they have done work for you in the past. My fingers are crossed as I fully appreciate what a frustrating situation this is for you.
Rocco says he can't do it because he has no way to hold the case to the lapping machine. I've asked if he can add the metal and Simon can lap the case but am not hopeful. I wonder if the solution is to ask the people in Italy pmontoyap used, Laboratorio Portanova. If they can add metal and then lap the case like that for a reasonable price I'd be happy to send the case to them for work.